Web 2.0 site blocking in schools

  This report focuses on identifying and overcoming the barriers associated with current site blocking practices in schools with regards to Web 2.0 services such as social networking, video sharing, blogs and wikis and popular sites such as YouTube, Facebook and Wikipedia. Site blocking is one of the areas of investigation commissioned by the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations as part of the Strategic ICT Advisory Service (SICTAS) project. The report briefly describes Web 2.0 in terms of opportunities for teaching and learning and places site blocking in context within an overall framework that includes cyber-safety and 21st century learning. This paper discusses key findings arising from desktop research, online surveys and consultation with Education.au’s contacts in the educational jurisdictions and other relevant bodies.  Finally it provides a set of recommendations that could overcome many of the barriers that current site blocking practices in schools place on teachers looking to use Web 2.0 to improve teaching and learning. &nbsp