| Chapter 1: | Introduction |
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Given the insular approach practiced by the ultra-Orthodox, we came to realize it would be logistically difficult and likely unproductive to attempt to study the limited use of computers in their education system. Instead, we decided to turn our attention to comparative studies that included the Modern-Orthodox approach to Internet access.
Sherlick conducted initial research in Israeli schools from June 2001 to December 2001. He set out to examine the extent to which Israeli Jewish education at the elementary-school level, particularly the state religious—the Mamlachti-Dati schools of the Modern-Orthodox—embraced or resisted ultra-Orthodox pronouncements on Internet access. Of particular interest was the classroom application of computers and the Internet with regard to allowing or restricting access to popular-culture messages. While the Mamlachti state secular schools were visited—including the Tali “enriched Jewish education” schools—emphasis was on the Mamlachti-Dati, Modern-Orthodox-affiliated schools.
Ten Israeli school-based educators, principals, and computer coordinators from different educational streams from three cities in Israel were interviewed. Six of the educators were from the official Mamlachti-Dati state religious schools. Three were from the official Mamlachti state secular schools (two Tali state secular schools and one regular state secular school), and one was from the unofficial (or nonofficial) stream, the Chorev School, which is considered a “recognized” school. (Please see Appendix A and chapter 3 for a more detailed description of the Israeli educational streams.) Open-ended questions were asked (Appendix B) regarding the teaching of Jewish values, the utilization of technology, the evaluation of popular-culture messages from the Internet, and the perceived compatibility of those messages with the Jewish values taught.
Meetings were also held with two members from the Computer Center at the Jerusalem municipality responsible for supervising, developing, and implementing computer training for all schools in the Israeli capital.