DCI Computer Usage

[Anonymous]

We have children in a DCI feeder and had always planned to send them there in MS. We are a bit concerned about computer usage/ monitoring of computer usage. We have heard stories from neighbor kids about gaming/ YouTube/ social media watching during class. I understand that this might be an isolated issue, like when there is a sub, but I'm curious about experiences with this.

[Anonymous]

I know kids at Sidwell and Saint Albans who say this happens too. It’s a disappointing and demoralizing element of having kids with their own devices. And I know a lot of terrific and accomplished dci students at all grade levels, so don’t let this thing dissuade you.

[Anonymous]

My DCI kid has frequent headaches because they are on their Chromebook all day, in every class except math (and maybe art). But, do you have a better option? Many schools overrely on laptops in the classroom these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DCI kid has frequent headaches because they are on their Chromebook all day, in every class except math (and maybe art). But, do you have a better option? Many schools overrely on laptops in the classroom these days.

(Basis does not use screens in the classroom, and this was a huge positive for us)

[Anonymous]

DCI is heavy on the tech, unfortunately (to an unhealthy extent imo). And it’s extremely difficult for one teacher to monitor all the student activity.

[Anonymous]

The sad things is that post pandemic there are a lot of schools overdoing it with screens and kids are smart enough to get around blocked sites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know kids at Sidwell and Saint Albans who say this happens too. It’s a disappointing and demoralizing element of having kids with their own devices. And I know a lot of terrific and accomplished dci students at all grade levels, so don’t let this thing dissuade you.

I know parents at Deal with the same concern.

With that said, I don't agree it should not dissuade someone. There may be limited lower tech options but there are some (e.g., Latin) that might be worth trying for if you prefer more time with paper, pencil, and books. Of course, it's coming for all of them. It just varies in how early and dosage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The sad things is that post pandemic there are a lot of schools overdoing it with screens and kids are smart enough to get around blocked sites.

DCI was using tech too much before the pandemic. That’s one of the reasons they were easily able to begin virtual instruction the first Monday of the shut down.

[Anonymous]

DCI has tons of protection in place in terms of monitoring student use in class. Teachers can see what students are doing on their computers, shut down sites remotely, and students may have various levels of access based on their maturity levels.

As far as using computers only, welcome to college, people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCI has tons of protection in place in terms of monitoring student use in class. Teachers can see what students are doing on their computers, shut down sites remotely, and students may have various levels of access based on their maturity levels.

As far as using computers only, welcome to college, people.

The two aren't comparable. You're not sitting in college classes on your computer for an entire school day. Not all classes in college even use computers (for example, a seminar). Students at DCI are sitting in front of the chromebook without little to no interruption, especially if they continue to use it during lunch. To your other point about monitoring - it's extremely hard to be able to do your job as a teacher and simultaneously monitor on your screen what students are doing. I would even bet that not all teachers have the monitoring site open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCI has tons of protection in place in terms of monitoring student use in class. Teachers can see what students are doing on their computers, shut down sites remotely, and students may have various levels of access based on their maturity levels.

As far as using computers only, welcome to college, people.

The two aren't comparable. You're not sitting in college classes on your computer for an entire school day. Not all classes in college even use computers (for example, a seminar). Students at DCI are sitting in front of the chromebook without little to no interruption, especially if they continue to use it during lunch. To your other point about monitoring - it's extremely hard to be able to do your job as a teacher and simultaneously monitor on your screen what students are doing. I would even bet that not all teachers have the monitoring site open.

Absolutely. No chance that teachers are teaching while simultaneously monitoring a full classroom of kids’ devices. That’s internet safety theater and kids can get around whatever child content restrictions schools put in place. That’s way too much device time for my 12 year old, but YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCI has tons of protection in place in terms of monitoring student use in class. Teachers can see what students are doing on their computers, shut down sites remotely, and students may have various levels of access based on their maturity levels.

As far as using computers only, welcome to college, people.

The two aren't comparable. You're not sitting in college classes on your computer for an entire school day. Not all classes in college even use computers (for example, a seminar). Students at DCI are sitting in front of the chromebook without little to no interruption, especially if they continue to use it during lunch. To your other point about monitoring - it's extremely hard to be able to do your job as a teacher and simultaneously monitor on your screen what students are doing. I would even bet that not all teachers have the monitoring site open.

Absolutely. No chance that teachers are teaching while simultaneously monitoring a full classroom of kids’ devices. That’s internet safety theater and kids can get around whatever child content restrictions schools put in place. That’s way too much device time for my 12 year old, but YMMV.

I disagree. It’s not that hard to monitor kids. I teach 5th grade and have a Chromebook open just for this. When I am actively teaching a lesson they are not usually on their Chromebooks or I will just glance at the monitoring Chromebook occasionally When they are working independently on their devices I monitor them. I can also limit the programs and apps that they can access. At this point in the year they don’t wander anymore because I shut them down consistently in the beginning of the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCI has tons of protection in place in terms of monitoring student use in class. Teachers can see what students are doing on their computers, shut down sites remotely, and students may have various levels of access based on their maturity levels.

As far as using computers only, welcome to college, people.

The two aren't comparable. You're not sitting in college classes on your computer for an entire school day. Not all classes in college even use computers (for example, a seminar). Students at DCI are sitting in front of the chromebook without little to no interruption, especially if they continue to use it during lunch. To your other point about monitoring - it's extremely hard to be able to do your job as a teacher and simultaneously monitor on your screen what students are doing. I would even bet that not all teachers have the monitoring site open.

Absolutely. No chance that teachers are teaching while simultaneously monitoring a full classroom of kids’ devices. That’s internet safety theater and kids can get around whatever child content restrictions schools put in place. That’s way too much device time for my 12 year old, but YMMV.

I disagree. It’s not that hard to monitor kids. I teach 5th grade and have a Chromebook open just for this. When I am actively teaching a lesson they are not usually on their Chromebooks or I will just glance at the monitoring Chromebook occasionally When they are working independently on their devices I monitor them. I can also limit the programs and apps that they can access. At this point in the year they don’t wander anymore because I shut them down consistently in the beginning of the year.

DCI kids are constantly on their chromebooks during active teaching.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s every school now.