Rollercoaster : education and online access

Changing policies on the educational use of the online and networked world in schools may make teachers feel as though they are on a rollercoaster: first creeping up the incline to online access, then hurtling back down to policies on prohibition. One of the clearest indicators that a school or education authority is preparing its young for a digital future is its proactive attitude to the school and student use of online opportunities. Where the proactive have a vision for a networked mode of schooling, the reactive look at the many negatives and shape student Internet use accordingly. In 2008, the authors examined the stance taken by Australia's 40-plus education authorities, and independent schools, on student access to the major online facilities. This article outlines their findings: in general, most authorities and schools held a largely negative attitude and a prohibition stance. [Author abstract, ed]