APE and tech (APS)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of all the things I care about, elementary school iPad usage is the least of my concerns. If APE talked to their teachers and principals, they would find that even in upper elem, they aren’t even used that much. It’s mostly used for differentiation, so that teachers can put the class on Lexia or Dreambox so that they can do small group work. Anything more will cost money for more teachers to supervise, and we all know what’s going on with the budget. And yes, many standardized tests are administered electronically. You will have to go to Richmond for that.

So tired of APE taking all the oxygen out of the room, so we can’t talk about more salient issues affecting APS. ArlNow is now their mouthpiece.

The head of AEA agrees with them! Everything on your list can be done with a class set and not 1-1. And no SOLs until grade 3.

Believe me. The head of AEA doesn't speak for all teachers, just as APE doesn't speak for all parents.

Signed, APS teacher and parent

What grade do you teach? I worked in K before I moved to a specialist role and hated the iPads

I’m in 2nd. I don’t love the iPads either, but understand why they are there. I think more nuance needs to be brought into the discourse rather than “take them away!” Also, most of my kids already play Minecraft and Fortnight on their iPads own iPads at home. Or their parents.

[Anonymous]

iPads are used a lot. My child had to go in early to get caught up on lexia. They are required to meet a certain level before the end of the year in order to move onto the next level/grade. So maybe dependent on teacher. But I would have rather my child going in early to work on an essay or for a book club or project… I’d love to see all tech go. Many private schools do not use them regularly and kids are ok!

[Anonymous]

I’m in. Didn’t know I was an APEr but I fully support this proposal and am now APE curious.

[Anonymous]

I agree K-2 do not need to be assigned personal ipads. One set per grade to do testing and occasional activities would be enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So APE wants no ipads in early grades. Limited in ES, and laptops starting in 6th. And they have a candidate running for school board. Details in ARL now and, as always, read the comments once popcorn is ready.

https://www.arlnow.com/2024/04/24/stop-giving-ipads-and-macbooks-to-all-students-parent-group-tells-aps/

You mean Zuraya? She's the one who sided with them 100 on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of all the things I care about, elementary school iPad usage is the least of my concerns. If APE talked to their teachers and principals, they would find that even in upper elem, they aren’t even used that much. It’s mostly used for differentiation, so that teachers can put the class on Lexia or Dreambox so that they can do small group work. Anything more will cost money for more teachers to supervise, and we all know what’s going on with the budget. And yes, many standardized tests are administered electronically. You will have to go to Richmond for that.

So tired of APE taking all the oxygen out of the room, so we can’t talk about more salient issues affecting APS. ArlNow is now their mouthpiece.

Thank you. APE needs to go talk to Richmond since the state testing is all on computers now.

APE is just so triggered by anything tech after the pandemic. Look at the picture in the article. It's from virtual learning during Covid 3 years ago, even though we are in 2024.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So APE wants no ipads in early grades. Limited in ES, and laptops starting in 6th. And they have a candidate running for school board. Details in ARL now and, as always, read the comments once popcorn is ready.

https://www.arlnow.com/2024/04/24/stop-giving-ipads-and-macbooks-to-all-students-parent-group-tells-aps/

aww well this post didn’t go as planned did it - 😂

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of all the things I care about, elementary school iPad usage is the least of my concerns. If APE talked to their teachers and principals, they would find that even in upper elem, they aren’t even used that much. It’s mostly used for differentiation, so that teachers can put the class on Lexia or Dreambox so that they can do small group work. Anything more will cost money for more teachers to supervise, and we all know what’s going on with the budget. And yes, many standardized tests are administered electronically. You will have to go to Richmond for that.

So tired of APE taking all the oxygen out of the room, so we can’t talk about more salient issues affecting APS. ArlNow is now their mouthpiece.

Thank you. APE needs to go talk to Richmond since the state testing is all on computers now.

APE is just so triggered by anything tech after the pandemic. Look at the picture in the article. It's from virtual learning during Covid 3 years ago, even though we are in 2024.

Does every single district in VA issue a device to every single student K-12? I sincerely doubt it. There's no reason for K-2 students to have their own dedicated device.

[Anonymous]

Ugh APS please don’t go to PCs…. They crash like crazy and the ones school districts get the deals on always suck. At least with apple you’re getting a quality product. FCPS churns through those trash-top laptops as they are always breaking, and any kids with means just buys their own and refuses to use the school issued one. My experience is limited to high school, but hate the PCs they issue in FCPS. So many tech people seem to be fine with PCs but I think it’s because they are used to dealing with fully loaded devices… not the basement bargain, bare minimum the school district buys!

[Anonymous]

I think I just became a one issue voter: whoever wants to keep Apple gets my vote lol, that is how much I despise the tech in FCPS!

[Anonymous]

I think we can keep Apple computers while discontinuing 1:1 iPads in early elementary. It’s a reasonable compromise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of all the things I care about, elementary school iPad usage is the least of my concerns. If APE talked to their teachers and principals, they would find that even in upper elem, they aren’t even used that much. It’s mostly used for differentiation, so that teachers can put the class on Lexia or Dreambox so that they can do small group work. Anything more will cost money for more teachers to supervise, and we all know what’s going on with the budget. And yes, many standardized tests are administered electronically. You will have to go to Richmond for that.

So tired of APE taking all the oxygen out of the room, so we can’t talk about more salient issues affecting APS. ArlNow is now their mouthpiece.

This varies wildly by teacher. My kid’s 3rd grade teacher rarely had the kids use the iPads. In 4th grade, they use them allllll the time, and kids constantly play on them when they are supposed to be doing other things. Have young kids distracted by screens AT SCHOOL is ridiculous and pointless. APS buys all these iPads, then says they can’t afford x, y, & z.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of all the things I care about, elementary school iPad usage is the least of my concerns. If APE talked to their teachers and principals, they would find that even in upper elem, they aren’t even used that much. It’s mostly used for differentiation, so that teachers can put the class on Lexia or Dreambox so that they can do small group work. Anything more will cost money for more teachers to supervise, and we all know what’s going on with the budget. And yes, many standardized tests are administered electronically. You will have to go to Richmond for that.

So tired of APE taking all the oxygen out of the room, so we can’t talk about more salient issues affecting APS. ArlNow is now their mouthpiece.

This varies wildly by teacher. My kid’s 3rd grade teacher rarely had the kids use the iPads. In 4th grade, they use them allllll the time, and kids constantly play on them when they are supposed to be doing other things. Have young kids distracted by screens AT SCHOOL is ridiculous and pointless. APS buys all these iPads, then says they can’t afford x, y, & z.

Then the Board can set a policy/PIP regarding elementary school iPad usage across the system without banning them in its entirety. Easy. And despite what your opinions, Lexia, Dreambox and Reflex are amazing apps. I'm perfectly okay with iPads even in K in moderation. Which I think most schools strive for anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of all the things I care about, elementary school iPad usage is the least of my concerns. If APE talked to their teachers and principals, they would find that even in upper elem, they aren’t even used that much. It’s mostly used for differentiation, so that teachers can put the class on Lexia or Dreambox so that they can do small group work. Anything more will cost money for more teachers to supervise, and we all know what’s going on with the budget. And yes, many standardized tests are administered electronically. You will have to go to Richmond for that.

So tired of APE taking all the oxygen out of the room, so we can’t talk about more salient issues affecting APS. ArlNow is now their mouthpiece.

Thank you. APE needs to go talk to Richmond since the state testing is all on computers now.

APE is just so triggered by anything tech after the pandemic. Look at the picture in the article. It's from virtual learning during Covid 3 years ago, even though we are in 2024.

Does every single district in VA issue a device to every single student K-12? I sincerely doubt it. There's no reason for K-2 students to have their own dedicated device.

One of our kids is in private school. Every single student there was issued an iPad too. Can't get away from them!

But yes, all SOLs are online. And even early elementary assessments are done over the iPad too. I know all of the surrounding counties issue tech to their students.

[Anonymous]

The comments are great.

“ It's just APE, being APE. They're basically Mom's For Liberty, lite. “

“ Is ArlNow APE's newsletter? I want to know so that I can temper my opinion of this being an actual news source. How about some opinions from other groups and parents who aren't actively trying to curry favor with the powers-that-be and who care about other things besides... anything they promote? And isn't this the second article about the Ed Tech committee and iPads? C'mon. APS has bigger issues.

I want to inequitably say that APE does not represent me as a parent. At all. And it sounds like some prospective school board members don't really get it either.”