The Java Blockade
by Jamie McKenzie
About the author
Why block all Web sites that rely upon Java scripting and applets?
In some schools and school districts the network managers have taken this extreme measure without involving any educators in the decision.
This kind of blocking makes little sense. It represents a lamentable abuse of power.
The Web sites listed on the right would help students to visualize their thinking and strengthen their synthesis skills. All of these sites rely upon Java scripting and all of them are blocked in some school districts.
Are these dirty sites? Pornographic?
Offensive?
Hardly.
They are not being blocked for any sound educational reason.
Java has been the cause of some serious network problems during the past decade, so some security conscious network managers have decided to block all Java.
A more reasonable approach is to keep abreast of security measures that do not require blanket denial of access.
Another option is to create a list of sites like the ones on the right evaluated, approved and requested by teachers.
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