DoTS : Internet Searching Alternatives

Internet Searching Alternatives

In many situations there are more effective methods to find the information one needs without conducting a full internet search. Web based subscription resources offer quality information without the frustrations that often accompany information pulled from the internet-at-large.

Educational Resource Services provides web based subscription databases at no charge to all Denver Public School employees and students. These resources can be reached through any DPS computer that has an Internet connection. These databases are authenticated for educational and curriculum purposes and should be used for research and resource purposes before general Internet searching. The databases can be accessed from school or administrative computers by going to the Educational Resource Services site. The site address is http://ers.dpsk12.org or through the LION homepage in any DPS school library.

Databases include FirstSearch, GaleNet, EBSCO, Electric Library, World Book On-Line, SIRS for Middle and High School levels, and ACLIN (Access Colorado Library and Information Network). Many of these databases have remote access from home capabilities.

Interested parties should contact Bill Rejebian at DPS Educational Resource Services Dept. via email or by phone (720-423-8107) to receive a list of usernames and passwords.

Gaining Temporary Access to Blocked Internet Sites

Within the guidelines of the federally mandated Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), blocked internet sites may be opened temporarily for legitimate research purposes. For teachers to gain temporary access to blocked sites the following procedures must be followed:

Prior to making a request for unblocking, the requesting school must have determined that the information needed from the blocked sites cannot be reasonably accessed from other reference sources or media (i.e., district subscription databases, available print materials, etc.)

Teachers shall consult with their school’s principal concerning the instructional needs for such access.

If the principal approves the teacher’s request, the principal must send an email request to the DoTS Hotline stating:

The URLs (complete web addresses) of the specific internet sites that need to be unblocked
The time period for unblocking (i.e., from 1:00pm to 2:00pm during a specific week)
The Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of the computers to be unblocked

DoTS must receive notification at least three business days prior to the first day the unblocking is needed.

Challenging Blocked or Unblocked Internet Sites

If teachers or staff members feel they have either been inappropriately blocked from web sites that serve a legitimate K-12 educational purpose, or have gained access to sites that they feel should be blocked, the following procedures should be followed:

Email the DoTS Hotline stating:

the URL (complete web address) of the web site in question
the reason the site should be unblocked or blocked

DoTS staff will do one of two things:

Examine the web sites to determine where they fall within the district’s filtering criteria. If staff feel the sites are, without question, legitimately blocked or unblocked, an email reply will be sent in this regard.

If DoTS staff is unsure of the legitimacy of the site, they will forward the request to 8e6 Technologies, the district’s filtering vendor. 8e6 Technologies has a staff that continually review and evaluate web sites according to CIPA requirements that will render a decision on the sites in question. DoTS staff will pass on the response from 8e6 Technologies to the person who originated the challenge.

Escalating an Internet Challenge

Should any district staff member, student or parent wish to further challenge the district’s decision on the blocking or unblocking of a particular Internet site, the same procedures will be used as are in place for book challenges. For more information on these procedures please contact Bill Rejebian in the Educational Resource Services (ERS) Dept.