Resources can be found: http://oit.hcpss.wikispaces.net/Content+Filtering

Agenda• Part I

• Selecting and Evaluating Digital Content

• Part II• How to use the content filter bypass• Reporting issues 

What is Digital Content?

Digital content includes text, images, sounds, and video that have been accessed over the Internet and brought into a computer.

This content will most often come from websites.

Why Evaluate Digital Content?

As more and more digital content is readily available for educators to incorporate into their instruction, it is essential that you are aware of

your responsibilities as an educator to select appropriate content to use.

Relevant HCPSS Board Policies• Selection of Instructional Materials, 8040

o Instructional materials must foster the inclusion of all voices within a global society (racial, ethnic, sexual, cultural, disabled, aged, religious, etc.) unless the content of the material is typical of society in a specific period of history.

o Prior to use with students, each video will be evaluated by those teachers who will use it. If the video meets curricular objectives and is age appropriate, it may be used.

o Instructional materials must allow for representation of contrasting points of view or multiple interpretations of content.

• Acceptable Use of Computer Technology, 8080 o Employees, volunteers, interns, and contractors are to use HCPSS

technology in a responsible, ethical manner consistent with their professional responsibilities.

Acceptable Use Policy

• Accessing collaborative sites is part of the current AUP that students and parents complete.

• Assuming parent/guardian has signed the AUP, many HCPSS approved collaborative sites will be covered.o However, this does not cover EVERY site.o It is a best practice to send home a project

letter (contact OIT for samples).

Types of Digital ContentNon-Collaborative(online resources which do not support discussions)

Collaborative(online resources which support discussions- requires approval)

HCPSS - http://www.hcpss.org Glogster - http://edu.glogster.com/

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives - http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html

Blabberize - http://blabberize.com/

PhET - http://phet.colorado.edu/ Edmodo – http://hcpss.edmodo.com

Pics4Learning - http://www.pics4learning.com

SchoolTube - http://www.schooltube.com/

NOTE: The sites listed above have gone through Software Approval (SAP)- http://doc.hcpss.org:8080/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-20838

Evaluating ResourcesEducators are expected to preview the web-based digital content and

use the following guiding criteria when deciding if the content should be used.

1.The digital content aligns with HCPSS curriculum.2.The digital content is appropriate for use with students in an

instructional setting.3. If digital content from a website is going to be reused (i.e.,

downloaded, embedded, edited), the new version must adhere to relevant copyright law.

4.The use of the digital content must adhere to the website’s terms of service (TOS) and privacy policy.

5.The digital content aligns with the county’s guidelines for collaborative discussion.

Is the digital content appropriate for use with students in an instructional setting?

• Consider the following:o Developmentally appropriate (including readability)o Accuracy and validity of content  o Clarity of the message o Language usage:  grammar, mechanics, etc… o Viewpoints presented o Ease of useo Web accessibility (Section 508)

• Additional information on this topic may be found at http://oit.hcpss.wikispaces.net/Digital+Content

• Note: Reasonable exceptions to this provision may be made at the discretion of a teacher.

Web Accessibility (Section 508)The design of a website can limit people with varying abilities from being able to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the site.  Before use, websites should be evaluated to determine the degree in which they are accessible to the end user.  Keep in mind, sites that are accessible to some students may be inaccessible to others.

If you have a student who requires accommodations, please contact your special education team leader for guidance.

Additional information on this topic may be found at http://oit.hcpss.wikispaces.net/Digital+Content

Does the use of the digital content adhere to the website’s terms of service (TOS) and privacy policy?

• Consider:o Type of Contento Age Restrictionso Copyright Implicationso Type of Use Permitted

The TOS gives specific directions concerning the user's responsibilities when using the site (e.g., send home the privacy policy for parent/guardian signature)

Does the use of the digital content adhere to the website’s terms of service (TOS) and privacy policy?

• Encourage educators to read the Terms of Service even with websites that are approved because sites can changes their TOS without notice.

• Items on the approved list may still have a TOS that says over 13 so it may be appropriate for secondary and not elementary students.

Is this digital content on the county's approved list of collaborative websites?Non-collaborative websites do not need to be approved.

• Resources that support collaborative discussions must be on the Approved Software List which is available on the Document Repository- Approved Software List

.• Teachers wishing to use a resource not on the approved list

may submit the resource to the Software Approval Process. Information relating to the Software Approval Process is available on the Intranet page for the Office of Instructional Technology.

Digital content must meet all 5 criteria to be appropriate for

use in the classroom.

Best Practices/Considerations for Using Digital Content

• General:o Have another HCPSS teacher/administrator review the

digital contento Provide multi-group assignmentso Determine which lab to use (mobile vs. stationary) based on

the needs of the assignment Stationary computers are usually faster for accessing

web-based content

Best Practices/Considerations for Using Digital Content

• Video:o Download Discovery Streaming videos prior to instruction o Pre-load digital content to be used in class (to reduce

buffering) if possible Copyright Note: videos can be saved as long as HCPSS

maintains a subscription to the serviceo Use short video clips instead of full lengtho Provide closed captioning for students when available

Best Practices/Considerations for Using Digital Content

• Technical / Network:o Consider impact of digital content on bandwidth o Internet speed varies throughout the dayo Stagger student logins if using Discovery Streamingo Limit the number of students accessing digital content

simultaneously

Purpose of Pilot

With the recent upgrades to our infrastructure we are now able to begin studying the effect of opening selected streaming media sites for teacher use. We will start with opening up 8 sites for the first phase.

Evaluation of Pilot

The Technology Department and OIT will work with schools in the pilot to complete the Tech Evaluation.

Evaluation will be data on network impact and Help Desk calls.

Best Practices• The key to the success of using streaming media depends on

its integration into the course and how it applies to student learning.

• Have a plano Be clear about your instructional goalso Choose media that helps meet your goals for student

learningo Have students use media in a way that helps accomplish

instructional objectives

• Integrate media with student activities o Prepare the learners for viewing the media clip

introduce clip explain clip's purpose explain what to watch or listen for in the clip

o Have students do something with what they’ve learned complete a task answer a question participate in a discussion, either online or in the classroom

Best Practices

How to Access the Sites• Step 1: When you get to a streaming site such as

voicethread.com, click on "Login as Different User"

Step 2:• Type in your active

directory login (the login to your computer).

• Staff should not login to the content filter for students.  

• Board Policy 8080: Users will not engage in unauthorized activities:  Accessing technology via another user’s account credentials or facilitating unauthorized access

Step 3:• Be sure to keep this window open then go back to your original

window to retype in your website.

Step 4:• Go back to the original window and click on the link to the site.

Reporting Issues• Please call 410-313-7004 with any problems.  • If experiencing difficulty logging in:

o Plug your computer into the network via Ethernet. o Restart computer (wait for green light on Mac).o Try to login.o If the computer warns you that your password is

expired or near expiration you will need to change your computer password to be able to login to the content filter. To change password while on the network:

https://changepw.hcpss.org

Staff PD

• Reservoir High School sample https://sites.google.com/site/rehsmedia/use-the-media-c

enter-staff-handbook/contentfilteringpilot

“It's important that communication with staff is consistent and open so they feel they understand the filtering process, the approval process, and where to go for resources.”

Questions?