Google maps and street view

[UnknownStuntman]

Anybody know if it is possible to allow Google maps but block/filter the street view aspect.

Since street view went live across the UK we have had no end of disruption to lessons with pupils wasting time looking around town.

Staff have tried to manage where and when and I have helped blocking internet access completely for offenders when requested, though this is not always practical.

 

Have not looked into it thoroughly myself yet but was just wondering if anyone had any ideas.

[UnknownStuntman]

It appears it could be as easy as filtering cbk?.google.com (where the ? works for any number)

 

Will have a look around classes tomorrow and find out.

[mb2k01]

If I was asked to investigate this, I would have to choose my response wording carefully.

The issue is one of classroom management, not one of content filter ability.

[enjay]

If you find a way of doing this, perhaps you could move on to paint the windows black to stop kids looking out of them rather than working.

 

Seriously, this is not a technical problem, but one of classroom management. The fact that the children are choosing to procrastinate with a computer doesn't make it an IT issue any more than a kid reading a magazine in class is the Librarian's issue.

[UnknownStuntman]

I agree that it is a case of classroom management and nobody has asked me to remove it.

I was just wondering if it could be done so I can help staff out as it is something that is not needed.

[James2k]

We had the same problem here... Was making browsing slow for other pupils.

 

Block on ISA

 

http://*.google.com/vt/*

http://maps.google.*/*

http://maps.gstatic.*/*

http://www.google.co.uk/maps/*

 

Advised to put them in a separate rule so it can be disabled when needed.

[SteveLaw]

If you find a way of doing this, perhaps you could move on to paint the windows black to stop kids looking out of them rather than working.

 

 

Painting the windows would be the caretaker's job. Blocking websites is ours.

[enjay]

Blocking websites is ours.

 

Really? Blocking inappropriate or unsuitable web sites is our job; it is not, however, our job to block valid educational sites because the teachers can't stop the kids messing around on them. Just because a student is procrastinating on a computer doesn't make their discipline an IT Support issue.

[SteveLaw]

Really? Blocking inappropriate or unsuitable web sites is our job; it is not, however, our job to block valid educational sites because the teachers can't stop the kids messing around on them. Just because a student is procrastinating on a computer doesn't make their discipline an IT Support issue.

 

Deciding which website is and isn't educational is not our job either.

[enjay]

Deciding which website is and isn't educational is not our job either.

 

No, it is down to the Heads of Department, and I know how quickly the Head of Geography would be knocking on my door if I blocked Google Earth, Maps or Street View. I therefore deem it an educational site, and wouldn't block it; misuse of it is down to the individual teachers to handle, like any other classroom management problem.