An investigation is still underway into the case of a Ladue Middle School student who gained access to a video chat site using a school computer where a middle aged man performed an online sex act for the student.
The student was caught by the district’s technology staff, disciplined, and police were notified. The website in question, and another similar one, have since been blocked by the district. Police is also investigating the location of the man who allegedly masturbated to the student on camera.
“Student safety is the district’s primary concern,” said Susan Dielmann, spokesperson for the Ladue School District, in a news release. “This includes internet safety, and every effort is made to ensure the district’s website filters are effective. This site was quickly blocked once the activity was detected, and due to immediate collaboration with City of Ladue police, a related site has now also been blocked by the district. Unfortunately, those creating inappropriate website content are constantly attempting to circumvent filters. It is a never-ending process to identify and block these sites and unfortunately, there are times when the efforts of those promoting these sites are successful.”
The incident occurred as the district considers the One-to-One learning initiative, which would provide high school students in the district their own laptops to use both at school and home.
Dielmann said that, at this time, approval of the initiative depends on funding. Dielmann, however, said that the school district will do the best it can to prevent inappropriate websites from being accessed through the laptops.
“The use of computers and the internet are, and will continue to be, a way of life for our students and have great educational value,” Dielmann said. “Should the One-to-One Learning Initiative move forward, the laptops issued to students would all be networked through the district's site filtering service while they are at school. It is possible for this service to extend to home use as well, and that is an option the district may explore and consider.”
And all the people of Missouri wanted was "Gratuitous Instruction" in our Free Public Schools. It has now turned into a Total child support program. (School Welfare programs are in full swing) Does anyone care that hundreds of families already have fulfilled their "education" responsibilities to our children? Even the new Obamacare exempts me from buying medical Insurance IF I ALREADY HAVE IT. May I suggest Families who already have paid for their children's Education be exempted from ALL these add-ons to Public schools.
Flyoverland is also correct, the backoffice end of this may be key, and it's where all the hidden costs are. Remember, hardware and software are cheap, people are expensive. We can buy all the hardware and software in the world for next to nothing compared to what it will cost in administering the hardware and software. I'm awaiting the presentation on Monday, which I'm sure will be given by Rosey Scenario, as maybe there's something I don't know, but I continue to be skeptical. A full blown rollout would involve something like 1300 laptops. How many IT people do you need to take care of a 1300 person organization? Hint: It's more than 2. One number I just came up with on a quick search is 65:1. Conveniently, this works out to a 20 person organization. At $100 to $150K per IT person, we're talking about a support budget of $2 to $3 million per year. Anything they come up with that diverges from this had better have a VERY good explanation.
All of this is dependent on someone developing the materials that can be used on the laptops - that is another subject entirely. I sometimes get the impression that the supporters of the initiative are taking a Field Of Dreams approach - buy them, and the course materials will magically come along.
Individual Computers do have a place in our schools---At College level. Public schools are for "Gratuitous Instruction". That is all our MO Constitution requires. So we will disagree about the role of Public schools in society. What the Board should be doing is Getting the whole Cost (100%) of any computers from wage reductions. PERIOD. The problem with ALL public schools is Wage Costs--Not Computer needs. No matter what technology is needed, It is the massive 75% wage cost that should be addressed. No additional budget for computers would be necessary , if our Public schools paid wages/benefits in line with Wages earned by the public. That is not true today. Maybe Ladue's homeowners are wealthy enough to ignore my conclusions, but I speak for those hundreds of families unable to support more technology costs. You are all spinning your wheels trying to justify computers, when the number one problem is allowed to linger on. Flyover is on mark in future costs running and caring for individual computers at public schools. One thing is certain, Technology will become the second biggest budget cost. Expect all businesses to pick up the tab with higher Property tax rates never before imaginable.
One-to-One Learning Initiative Postponed Beyond the 2013-14 School Year The district, through the Ladue Education Foundation, has recently been pursuing the private and corporate funding needed to move this program forward during the 2013-14 school year without impacting the district’s overall operating budgets for the next two school years. In addition, the district has been aggressively pursuing instructional training for staff at all levels to prepare for the implementation of this initiative. However, as a result of recent media attention regarding internet safety and recent changes announced in future district leadership, the administration will be making a formal recommendation to the Board to postpone the One-to-One Learning Initiative until a time when there is a more conducive climate for it succeeding. This decision was reached jointly, with full agreement, by the administration and the district's Technology Board Advisory Committee. Many have worked hard to bring the program to this point, and it is with some regret the decision has been made to delay it. It is the district's hope that with further discussion by parents, teachers and students, this program will move forward in the future.
"I used to run a big company and we probably had 500 people carrying laptops all over the world. these were adults with padded briefcases, not kids with backpacks. We had three people who did nothing but fix them. " Where do you see in that statement adults abuse laptops? Good job explaining it the second time though. I'm sure you will get my point as I'm sending it through my one to one machine though. What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying you yourself are abusing your "one-to-one" machine by responding to my post
And ReverePaul says these message boards are useless. Now it's time to ask ALL educators to start putting some "investments" in this system. Can't hurt?