Good point BJ. Even though we run an internal filter, going through OpenDNS on top wouldn't hurt. We actually had ours set that way for a while, but removed it a year or so ago when trying to troubleshoot a slow connection issue. Thanks for putting it out there! On Wed, Aug 1, 2012 at 12:15 PM, Bjorn Behrendt <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Their licensing may have changed, I have not read the fine print lately. > OpenDNS just blocks categories and a limited number of custom domains. > It works by changing your outward DNS. So if in windows you would change > the DNS forwarded address to openDNS's IP instead of Comcasts. Filtering > is done off site at the domain name level. > > I had them quote the enterprise recently and they told me $1500 per > building which for MSJ is too much, but for a larger school it might be a > nice solution. The enterprise version will integrate with AD and allow > for override. > > Bjorn Behrendt > http://www.Google weekly.net/ > http://www.AskBj.net/ > http://www.VTed.org/ > On Aug 1, 2012 10:35 AM, "Bill Clark" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> I am interested in the “cost nothing to implement” …we currently filter >> using an annual subscription through SonicWall..this expires March of next >> year…**** >> >> ** ** >> >> Should we contact Open DNS directly ? Does this require an agent ? **** >> >> ** ** >> >> Bill Clark**** >> >> Austine School**** >> >> *From:* School Information Technology Discussion [mailto: >> [log in to unmask]] *On Behalf Of *Bjorn Behrendt >> *Sent:* Tuesday, July 31, 2012 3:27 PM >> *To:* [log in to unmask] >> *Subject:* Re: On Filtering**** >> >> ** ** >> >> I use OpenDNS to block the minimum amount. There are two reasons that >> filtering must be in place in schools. First, is for accidental >> or purposeful misuse (like porn) and second is bandwidth constraints, which >> I have Youtube open, but have had to remind the school every few months not >> to use it for background music or I will block it. These two reasons >> fulfill e-rate requirements and cost nothing to implement. **** >> >> ** ** >> >> There is a third reason and that is unmanageable distraction. This is >> where things get hazy between responsible internet use and classroom >> management. Facebook is a classic example of this. If classroom >> innovation and fair use adoption (not just teaching but actual adoption on >> the students part) can keep up then sites like facebook is a great thing. >> But too often the innovation is much slower than misuse which makes the app >> unmanageable to a classroom teacher. This is what happened at MSJ when I >> opened up Facebook. For these types of tools we need to find a middle >> ground that can carry over. Like teaching social networking skills in a >> LMS and explain to students how their communication online carries over to >> their facebook type accounts.**** >> >> ** ** >> >> >> *Bjorn Behrendt M.Ed ~ Never Stop Learning***** >> >> * [log in to unmask] | (802) 772-0003***** >> >> * ** Google Apps For Education Certified Trainer* >> >> *My Sites***** >> >> ~ Edlisten.com**** >> >> ~ Google Weekly ~ 38: Good by Aviary (7/27/2012)**** >> >> ~ Teaching Change ~ 3: Transferring Google Docs (6/4/2012)**** >> >> ~ AskBj.net ~ Online Training and Ed Tech Resources**** >> >> ~ VTed.org ~ Vermont's Personal Learning Network**** >> >> ** ** >> >> Get The Year Started With Google Apps 3 credit course Aug 13-17: >> http://getgoogle.edlisten.com**** >> >> >> >> **** >> >> On Tue, Jul 31, 2012 at 7:04 AM, Heather Chirtea <[log in to unmask]> >> wrote:**** >> >> On Filtering.... >> I wish I had a dime for every time a kid walked out of a school that had >> a filter, went down the street to an open network, and got into trouble. We >> don't advocate for filters except for very young kids. You need to teach >> responsible internet usage and let the kids make mistakes in the safe >> environment of the school. It's the school's responsibility to craft a >> culture of safe internet practice. Keep away, keep safe, keep telling. >> >> This extends to the home. If you are sending computers home, you are >> taking on a responsibility to educate the parents too. The parents will >> appreciate it. Most don't know that they should only allow computer usage >> in common areas in the home (i.e. kids with computers behind closed doors >> are where most problems begin!) >> >> Avoiding the problem by implementing complex filters (which don't work by >> the way - kids always circumvent them) puts the responsibility on the IT >> department, rather in the hands of the teachers, parents, and the kids - >> where it belongs. The world we live in has open networks and kids know >> where they are :) >> >> All the best, >> Heather Chirtea**** >> >> Digital Wish, Executive Director >> PO Box 1072, Manchester Center, VT 05255 >> P: 802-549-4571, F: 845-402-7242, C: 802-379-3000 >> www.digitalwish.org**** >> >> ...29,061 Classroom technology wishes granted! **** >> >> On 7/31/2012 12:02 AM, SCHOOL-IT automatic digest system wrote:**** >> >> ** ** >> >> ** ** >> > -- smg Sylvia Gagne Georgia Elementary & Middle School 4416 Ethan Allen Highway St. Albans, VT 05478