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Limited Access & Locked Down ComputersAugust 5, 2008 sd at Bibliomass writes:Well, this morning I tried playing a little with podcasts. I already download/collect/amass (what ever is the verb for this?) a bunch of podcasts, mostly BBC Radio 4 shows I got addicted to while living in the UK. I used to [verb] these on GoogleReader, now I mostly [verb] them on iTunes. Which leads me to my frustration, probably a common one, having to do with how locked down library computers are. I can't download iTunes at work. In the last few weeks there have been a number of things (delicious toolbars, FreeMind, Firefox) I have not been able to download without an awful lot of kerfuffle. And while I do (I think) understand the reasoning in favor of tight security, homogeneous collections of loaded programs, and limited administrative access, this has more than once seemed like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It's clear from things I've read elsewhere that this is not unique to my system, and that many libraries are grappling with this. I don't have an answer (well, other than "I want what I want when I want it," but I fear that's a character failing, not a systemic solution). This is one of the most frustrating things I've encountered working with school librarians and giving talks about emerging tools. What has worked for you, All Together Now participants? How have you dealt with locked down computers and other restrictions? Posted by Michael Stephens on August 5, 2008 | Comments (4)
August 5, 2008
In response to: Limited Access & Locked Down Computers CATHERINE NELSON commented: If educators do not make it known the value of the tools for teaching and/or professional development they will continue to be blocked. Present the IT or those who have these restrictions with the benefits. Get your principal on board to. Often times things are blocked without ever consulting an educator. In this case, we educators need to educate IT. Just remember to keep it focused on learning and how beneficial it is.
August 5, 2008
In response to: Limited Access & Locked Down Computers Janice commented: The most successful thing for me is to try to save whatever it is I want to show on a flashdrive (USB key, thumbdrive)... I put everything on it - the application to run it, the data etc. and that way I can just plug it in and it's ready to go. You can't present the IT if you can't access it.
August 6, 2008
In response to: Limited Access & Locked Down Computers Ruthie commented: This has been my greatest area of frustration for the past few years. We are not permitted to have blogs, cannot access any blogs, nor itunes, youtube, and "shopping" sites- including those I need to use when shopping for AV equipment, etc! Our Gatekeepers use SurfControl, which denies us access to a myriad of sites- for example, I put a fabulous site called Looney Tunes Teaches The Internet on my library page as a link, but it's benn "access denied" by Surf Control because it's listed as an entertainment site. I have followed protocol to request a review and re-categorization, to no avail- I can't even get a response! Sorry for the rant, I'm done now. :-)
August 6, 2008
In response to: Limited Access & Locked Down Computers pollyalida commented: The successes I've seen have been when school library media specialists have been able to get the administration on board, usually through some one on one demonstrations of the value of these new services and tools. And sometimes that's meant taking time to develop a demonstration project outside of school that will help the adminstrator understand how these services work.
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