Network Restrictions

[Mary Bullard]

I know that school networks must be filtered BUT it is very difficult to create a fully functional blended classroom without using Web 2.0 tools, YouTube videos, and some components that allow interactive discussion. 

How much do your schools filter?  Do you still include some of the cool free resources even though they are blocked at school?

[Matinga Ragatz]

In my school, most social networks, gaming and video sites are blocked for students. However, we have managed to convince the admin. that many of these websites can be cheaper education resources so the teachers have access to youtube, facebook and others. Most of my class films are on youtube so I stream movies in class on demand.
So I still include some of the cool resources and students either use them at home or I use them on the projector in the classroom.
What is the rationale that your admin is using for blocking free and harmless educational sites? are some of this issues open to discussion with them?