<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Whilst there are various points of view as to the relative merits of such a system and the implications of sponsorship (which many schools seek for other activities - sports, performances, music etc) I think the main reason not to do it is that it (IMHO) makes the website look cheap, cluttered and nasty. <div>My Prin was quite clear - (paraphrasing) we are not going down that path - it has nothing to do with our programs and cheapens/trivialises the website and teaching and learning.</div><div>I was very happy to hear that.</div><div><br></div><div>Cameron</div><div><br><div><div>On 18/03/2009, at 1:30 PM, Roland Gesthuizen wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite">Interesting development. A group is buying space on state school websites .. actually it goes beyond this. They are taking over the entire school website, offering free online hosting and tools to facilitate the publishing of online content, in exchange for advertising space and a cut in the online profits.<br> <a href="http://www.sponsor-ed.com.au/">http://www.sponsor-ed.com.au/</a><br><br>There are several primary schools on this program listed here and I notice Kew High School. Our school administration was approached to be a secondary partner. Faced with a glossy brochure, I was approached to take our current school website down in exchange for this service. You can view the full list here <a href="http://tinyurl.com/c3zad2">http://tinyurl.com/c3zad2</a> (google maps)<br> <br>School sponsorship was raised over a decade ago by an ABC story back in 2000 with concerns raised by the different groups.<br> <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s136808.htm">http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s136808.htm</a><br> <br>I have some further reservations whilst looking over this MCEETYA code of practice for school sponsorship<br> <a href="http://www.mceetya.edu.au/mceetya/national_code_sponsorship,12054.html">http://www.mceetya.edu.au/mceetya/national_code_sponsorship,12054.html</a><br> <br>From what I can spot, there are a couple of concerns<br><ul><li>Schools used as a captive market for commercial sponsors</li><li>Vendor lockin for internet hosting (considering the investment of time to build a site or later migrate content with cut / paste)</li> <li>Tacit endorsement of a product by association with the Department of Education<br></li></ul>Sponsor-Ed probably has the best wishes at heart, providing schools with a precious revenue stream but I that alone does not make this a good thing. Whilst there is no such thing as a free lunch, off the top of my head, groups such as Google, WikiSpaces and Edublogs will remove commercial advertising for their 'free' services when they are used by students.<br> <br>Whilst they indicate that the sponsorship will be ethical but how will these guidelines be managed? If the local mayor advertises, will political parties be next? If we accept the red cross, how about green-peace or local church groups? Do we next permit hospitals to promote themselves online with ethical drug-company advertising? Will teachers next raise a few dollars with an advertising banner bundled to their departmental e-mail messages?<br> <br>Whist I am excited by new Web2.0 based techologies and free online hosting of school websites, is this something that we really wish schools to engage with? <br><br>What are your thoughts?<br><br>Regards Roland<br clear="all"> <br>-- <br>Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College<br><a href="http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au">http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au</a><br><br>"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead<br> _______________________________________________ <br> <a href="http://www.edulists.com.au"> http://www.edulists.com.au </a> - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe <br> eLearning Mailing List kindly supported by <br> <a href="http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au"> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au </a> - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and <br> <a href="http://www.vitta.org.au"> http://www.vitta.org.au </a> - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc</blockquote></div><br></div><p></p><p><b>Important - </b>This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or using attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of any loss, damage or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not, resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any attached files our liability is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any representations or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender, and not necessarily those of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.</p>
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