Recently, LHS blocked most YouTube videos and has previously blocked many websites on the school computers. This has stirred up a discussion amongst students and teachers. Is blocking websites beneficial to education?

   The Bell staff discussed many different opinions about these changes from both teachers and students. Several students viewed it as hindering the learning process because even the harmless videos their teachers have had them watch in class were blocked, which caused them to use up valuable class time to work on getting to the video. Others thought it was very beneficial in discouraging distraction during class time.

   Overall, students were mostly okay with the blocking of certain websites, but thought the YouTube video blocking was excessive. One student added that even though they thought it was excessive, since we are using the schools computers, they can do what they want with them and we have to respect the school’s decision.

   According to several teachers interviewed by Bell staff leadership, this change has been brought about with mixed reactions. Many teachers who watch the same videos in class every year find that they have to go through and unblock every video one at a time. They see it as valuable prep time being used to unblock videos that they have previously used. It has also been slowing teachers down and occasionally wasting class time.

   On the flip side, most of the teachers believe it has helped cut down on class distractions. One teacher didn’t see the filters as getting in her way and thought that since the laptops are school property, they should be monitored and students shouldn’t be allowed to do whatever they want on computers.

   Students in the musical are frustrated with the YouTube block because they put the choreography videos on YouTube so that they can practice at home. Because of this, lost valuable practice time because they couldn’t access them.

   The Bell staff believes that once teachers get more experience with unblocking the videos, things will move faster.

   Most of the Bell staff members think that some websites being blocked is a good thing and cuts down on distractions, but excessive blocking hinders our learning and how teachers teach.