Cymphonix Corporation has announced an attempt for content to be controlled at schools gateways and servers, rather than completely blocking all forms of Web 2.0 and related social media. 


"While schools are eager to embrace technology in the classroom they face a triple threat due to the rise in Web 2.0 content, increasing popularity of Smartphones and a lack of technology that can truly complement traditional learning methods," Brent Nixon, president of Cymphonix (News - Alert), said. “Schools that want to meet the needs of a 21st century learner must be able to do more than ban phones or block Internet content."

Content control was preferable to completely banning students from carrying mobiles, Smartphones, Netbooks, Laptops and other mobile Internet interactive devices because of the significant educational and learning advantages social media has to offer.

A growing consumer trend indicates that a high percentage of people turn to social networks to communicate, recommend and seek advice for all sorts of stuff.

"Many of our nation's K-12 schools clearly recognize the advantages of technology in the classroom, however there is a lack of solutions available for letting educators embrace emerging technologies to enhance student learning and fully prepare today's students for future success," Nixon said.

According to company officials, a recent study by the Pew (News - Alert) Internet and American Life Project shows that more than 70 percent of 12 to 17 year olds in school own a cell phone, smart phone or mobile device. And since most of the children frequently use their devices during school hours, the school administrators and network staff find it hard to manage and control Internet bandwidth. 

Other factors that have adversely affected decision making are paucity of funds and reduced staff strength, which have in fact allowed only two interlinked ‘safe’ solutions – totally blank out Web 2.0 content and ban offending devices.

The company cited the report of Project Tomorrow that found 52 percent of respondents  - which include students, teachers, parents, school staff and district administrators – consider mobile devices assistive in student learning.

Roughly 43 percent are convinced that mobile devices can help extend learning beyond the school day, and more than 50 percent of the students polled said they would use technology more easily at school if they could use their own laptop, cell phone or mobile device to work on projects, access related software applications and the Internet, and communicate with classmates.

Recently, Spokane School District 81, Washington, reportedly selected a student data management solution as its new Web based Student Information System, or “SIS,” to interconnect public schools across the district, and allow up to date information that staff, teachers and students alike can selectively access, based on pre-assigned permissions, from anywhere on this planet provided they have an internet connection and remember their usernames and passwords, and helps teachers to focus more on their main job of educating students rather than being dragged into administrative time wasting activities with one time only entry methods.

Cymphonix claims to have the solution to all the above mentioned ills: their own Network Composer that allows IT staff to set up, precision control and scrutinize bandwidth utilization including prioritizing Web content and improving the overall performance and security of the school's network.