Thursday, September 16, 2010

09.16.10


09.16.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

I love this unique gate and its nontraditional 'fence'! :) Its rustic framing surrounds a more intricate carving that depicts a world quite different from southwest Florida - very eclectic. This gate is welcoming, offering a glimpse to the pathway beyond, unlike some gates that are closed and act more as a warning barrier.

Just as gates take on different traits, so do the gatekeepers. Controlling access can be a very powerful attribute...and potentially damaging to others. In our current climate in secondary education, one of the more powerful gatekeepers is the school district's technology department...the controller of the internet filter. As an educator, it is both frustrating and painful to see the number of useful and creative sites that are blocked - deemed inappropriate by non-educators in one broad sweep. Educating high school students to deal with inappropriate sites would have so much more value than blocking them from their view. There are just so many things wrong with this 'gatekeeper' in my view. 2nd Ave N & 6th St, Naples, FL

2 comments:

  1. Oh - don't get me started on gatekeepers... I prefer to concentrate on this lovely photo. Gatekeepers need more of this vision - to see the path ahead.

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  2. great picture, great gate, and very good observations about gates and gatekeepers. As an IT worker in charge of user adoption most of my time is spent on showing the path beyond (and sometimes breaking down our own IT gates)

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