APE and tech (APS)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this forum is just APE members arguing with each other. And like maybe a person or two who sees them for who they are.

iPads are not a big deal. My kid has one, and it has not corrupted him or disadvantaged his education. His teacher uses it in the classroom so that she can focus on small group education for a small percentage of the day.

We can't talk about anything else that's truly wrong with APS because APE takes up all of the air. Just stop listening to them. Done.

This is sort of this TechEd fantasy that hasn't really panned out. Often the rest of the kids are watching youtube. If they are doing Lexia, they can just tap on answers until they get enough right to go to the next level. The behavior problems in schools are pretty bad due to no-fail and inclusion policies (which are good in theory but often poorly implemented), so even kids who do want to work are often distracted by kids who don't. And this doesn't even address the issue of kids over-using devices at home because they tell their parents they need them for homework. Which they often do!

Studies have shown that large group instruction is generally more efficient than small group instruction because kids rarely work independently when the teacher's focus is completely elsewhere. Test scores have consistently gone down in the US, despite billions of dollars spent on tech. And we know that screens have detrimental impacts. There is no evidence that the benefits of individual devices outweigh the costs. I have no strong feelings one way or another about APE but I am dismayed that people don't seem to realize how bad individual devices in schools are.

Signed,

A teacher

So you don’t think small group instruction works? What grades do you teach?

I am not the poster, but I agree. I teach high school. I have 30 in a class. It’s not happening. Not possible. But I take their phones and barely use the computers, and it works really well for me. And for the kids.

Why are all of the teachers suddenly showing up in DCUM?

Where have you been? Teachers often comment here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this forum is just APE members arguing with each other. And like maybe a person or two who sees them for who they are.

iPads are not a big deal. My kid has one, and it has not corrupted him or disadvantaged his education. His teacher uses it in the classroom so that she can focus on small group education for a small percentage of the day.

We can't talk about anything else that's truly wrong with APS because APE takes up all of the air. Just stop listening to them. Done.

This is sort of this TechEd fantasy that hasn't really panned out. Often the rest of the kids are watching youtube. If they are doing Lexia, they can just tap on answers until they get enough right to go to the next level. The behavior problems in schools are pretty bad due to no-fail and inclusion policies (which are good in theory but often poorly implemented), so even kids who do want to work are often distracted by kids who don't. And this doesn't even address the issue of kids over-using devices at home because they tell their parents they need them for homework. Which they often do!

Studies have shown that large group instruction is generally more efficient than small group instruction because kids rarely work independently when the teacher's focus is completely elsewhere. Test scores have consistently gone down in the US, despite billions of dollars spent on tech. And we know that screens have detrimental impacts. There is no evidence that the benefits of individual devices outweigh the costs. I have no strong feelings one way or another about APE but I am dismayed that people don't seem to realize how bad individual devices in schools are.

Signed,

A teacher

So you don’t think small group instruction works? What grades do you teach?

I am not the poster, but I agree. I teach high school. I have 30 in a class. It’s not happening. Not possible. But I take their phones and barely use the computers, and it works really well for me. And for the kids.

Why are all of the teachers suddenly showing up in DCUM?

Are we not allowed to be here? I’m also an APS parent

I’m a teacher and parent, too. I have always been on this forum! What exactly is the problem here? Our thoughts don’t count??

I just don't believe in anonymous self-identification. Especially only on one whole thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this forum is just APE members arguing with each other. And like maybe a person or two who sees them for who they are.

iPads are not a big deal. My kid has one, and it has not corrupted him or disadvantaged his education. His teacher uses it in the classroom so that she can focus on small group education for a small percentage of the day.

We can't talk about anything else that's truly wrong with APS because APE takes up all of the air. Just stop listening to them. Done.

This is sort of this TechEd fantasy that hasn't really panned out. Often the rest of the kids are watching youtube. If they are doing Lexia, they can just tap on answers until they get enough right to go to the next level. The behavior problems in schools are pretty bad due to no-fail and inclusion policies (which are good in theory but often poorly implemented), so even kids who do want to work are often distracted by kids who don't. And this doesn't even address the issue of kids over-using devices at home because they tell their parents they need them for homework. Which they often do!

Studies have shown that large group instruction is generally more efficient than small group instruction because kids rarely work independently when the teacher's focus is completely elsewhere. Test scores have consistently gone down in the US, despite billions of dollars spent on tech. And we know that screens have detrimental impacts. There is no evidence that the benefits of individual devices outweigh the costs. I have no strong feelings one way or another about APE but I am dismayed that people don't seem to realize how bad individual devices in schools are.

Signed,

A teacher

So you don’t think small group instruction works? What grades do you teach?

I am not the poster, but I agree. I teach high school. I have 30 in a class. It’s not happening. Not possible. But I take their phones and barely use the computers, and it works really well for me. And for the kids.

No one has proposed changing devices for high school. This discussion was about 1:1 devices on K-2. No wonder you don't agree. You don't even know what the conversation is about.

Ha! You must not have a teenager. When you do, maybe you will understand that we should change it for then, too.

Okay, so you're not talking about this thread, the article in the OP, or APE's proposal, but something you made up. This is your proposal.

Wow. I just feel like we should reduce the screen time for all of them. I’m sorry I said anything! Jeez.

Then you should work on your communication skills and state that you are contributing your opinion instead of making it sound like you are discussing APE's view.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this forum is just APE members arguing with each other. And like maybe a person or two who sees them for who they are.

iPads are not a big deal. My kid has one, and it has not corrupted him or disadvantaged his education. His teacher uses it in the classroom so that she can focus on small group education for a small percentage of the day.

We can't talk about anything else that's truly wrong with APS because APE takes up all of the air. Just stop listening to them. Done.

This is sort of this TechEd fantasy that hasn't really panned out. Often the rest of the kids are watching youtube. If they are doing Lexia, they can just tap on answers until they get enough right to go to the next level. The behavior problems in schools are pretty bad due to no-fail and inclusion policies (which are good in theory but often poorly implemented), so even kids who do want to work are often distracted by kids who don't. And this doesn't even address the issue of kids over-using devices at home because they tell their parents they need them for homework. Which they often do!

Studies have shown that large group instruction is generally more efficient than small group instruction because kids rarely work independently when the teacher's focus is completely elsewhere. Test scores have consistently gone down in the US, despite billions of dollars spent on tech. And we know that screens have detrimental impacts. There is no evidence that the benefits of individual devices outweigh the costs. I have no strong feelings one way or another about APE but I am dismayed that people don't seem to realize how bad individual devices in schools are.

Signed,

A teacher

So you don’t think small group instruction works? What grades do you teach?

I am not the poster, but I agree. I teach high school. I have 30 in a class. It’s not happening. Not possible. But I take their phones and barely use the computers, and it works really well for me. And for the kids.

Why are all of the teachers suddenly showing up in DCUM?

Are we not allowed to be here? I’m also an APS parent

I’m a teacher and parent, too. I have always been on this forum! What exactly is the problem here? Our thoughts don’t count??

I just don't believe in anonymous self-identification. Especially only on one whole thread.

Oh, yeah? Well, that’s too bad. I pay my taxes and the mortgage in Arlington, too. YOUR anonymous shit is okay?! So stupid.

[Anonymous]

The funniest story: I was once talking to an Open Schools person (not APS) who was professing that she comes from a family of teachers. When questioned further, she only had a sister-in-law who taught in a private school... in TN.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this forum is just APE members arguing with each other. And like maybe a person or two who sees them for who they are.

iPads are not a big deal. My kid has one, and it has not corrupted him or disadvantaged his education. His teacher uses it in the classroom so that she can focus on small group education for a small percentage of the day.

We can't talk about anything else that's truly wrong with APS because APE takes up all of the air. Just stop listening to them. Done.

This is sort of this TechEd fantasy that hasn't really panned out. Often the rest of the kids are watching youtube. If they are doing Lexia, they can just tap on answers until they get enough right to go to the next level. The behavior problems in schools are pretty bad due to no-fail and inclusion policies (which are good in theory but often poorly implemented), so even kids who do want to work are often distracted by kids who don't. And this doesn't even address the issue of kids over-using devices at home because they tell their parents they need them for homework. Which they often do!

Studies have shown that large group instruction is generally more efficient than small group instruction because kids rarely work independently when the teacher's focus is completely elsewhere. Test scores have consistently gone down in the US, despite billions of dollars spent on tech. And we know that screens have detrimental impacts. There is no evidence that the benefits of individual devices outweigh the costs. I have no strong feelings one way or another about APE but I am dismayed that people don't seem to realize how bad individual devices in schools are.

Signed,

A teacher

So you don’t think small group instruction works? What grades do you teach?

I am not the poster, but I agree. I teach high school. I have 30 in a class. It’s not happening. Not possible. But I take their phones and barely use the computers, and it works really well for me. And for the kids.

No one has proposed changing devices for high school. This discussion was about 1:1 devices on K-2. No wonder you don't agree. You don't even know what the conversation is about.

Ha! You must not have a teenager. When you do, maybe you will understand that we should change it for then, too.

Okay, so you're not talking about this thread, the article in the OP, or APE's proposal, but something you made up. This is your proposal.

Wow. I just feel like we should reduce the screen time for all of them. I’m sorry I said anything! Jeez.

Then you should work on your communication skills and state that you are contributing your opinion instead of making it sound like you are discussing APE's view.

I would take the whole APE thing out of it Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. You don’t have to support everything they do, but surely you can agree with this one thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this forum is just APE members arguing with each other. And like maybe a person or two who sees them for who they are.

iPads are not a big deal. My kid has one, and it has not corrupted him or disadvantaged his education. His teacher uses it in the classroom so that she can focus on small group education for a small percentage of the day.

We can't talk about anything else that's truly wrong with APS because APE takes up all of the air. Just stop listening to them. Done.

This is sort of this TechEd fantasy that hasn't really panned out. Often the rest of the kids are watching youtube. If they are doing Lexia, they can just tap on answers until they get enough right to go to the next level. The behavior problems in schools are pretty bad due to no-fail and inclusion policies (which are good in theory but often poorly implemented), so even kids who do want to work are often distracted by kids who don't. And this doesn't even address the issue of kids over-using devices at home because they tell their parents they need them for homework. Which they often do!

Studies have shown that large group instruction is generally more efficient than small group instruction because kids rarely work independently when the teacher's focus is completely elsewhere. Test scores have consistently gone down in the US, despite billions of dollars spent on tech. And we know that screens have detrimental impacts. There is no evidence that the benefits of individual devices outweigh the costs. I have no strong feelings one way or another about APE but I am dismayed that people don't seem to realize how bad individual devices in schools are.

Signed,

A teacher

So you don’t think small group instruction works? What grades do you teach?

I am not the poster, but I agree. I teach high school. I have 30 in a class. It’s not happening. Not possible. But I take their phones and barely use the computers, and it works really well for me. And for the kids.

Why are all of the teachers suddenly showing up in DCUM?

Are we not allowed to be here? I’m also an APS parent

I’m a teacher and parent, too. I have always been on this forum! What exactly is the problem here? Our thoughts don’t count??

I just don't believe in anonymous self-identification. Especially only on one whole thread.

Oh, yeah? Well, that’s too bad. I pay my taxes and the mortgage in Arlington, too. YOUR anonymous shit is okay?! So stupid.

I hope you don't teach any kid with that mouth you have.

[Anonymous]

I might not agree with APE on other things, but they are dead right to advocate for less tech in early elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The funniest story: I was once talking to an Open Schools person (not APS) who was professing that she comes from a family of teachers. When questioned further, she only had a sister-in-law who taught in a private school... in TN.

They have always been a little more flexible with the truth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guise: There's an ACTL meeting on Tuesday where they will spend a good chunk of time talking about screen time in schools. It's pretty clever of APE to go to ArlNow to attempt to dredge up some community outrage to the board so that the meeting can go APE's way.

The thing is, do people really write the Board based on ArlNow articles/APE newsletters?

All to misdirect away from Youngkin defunding APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s significant that APE and AEA are in agreement with this. I support it as well as APS staff/parent

I don't take educational "recommendations" from a lobbying group that twists the "science" to fit its agenda. No thanks.

+1

I don’t trust stealth Republicans no matter what they might say to embed themselves in the community.

So is the head of the teachers' union a "stealth republican" then? Truly, there is no limit to APE's insidious, corrupting influence!

The issue isn’t that they think iPads in k-2 are bad; everyone agrees that they’re not ideal. The issue is that they are shifting the conversation to it. I agree that K-2 shouldn’t spend much time on iPads, but given they don’t actually spend a lot of time on them (and they need them for state testing), it’s a low-priority “issue”. There are many more important issues they should be addressing.

Their goal is to scream about APS and pretend like they’re building community consensus. They don’t actually address the hard issues.

Huh? Did you read the article? APE brought it up at March budget meeting as a way to save money. 1:1 devices in K-2 is something that could be cut that wouldn't hurt K-2 education while making room in the APS budget. As far as I know addressing the budget is a super important issue right now.

I'm not an APE supporter, but rejecting this proposal because it is also supported by APE is stupid.

So they’re arguing over a tiny amount vs addressing a huge cut in the budget by Youngkin.

It’s a distraction.

They have talked about. And told people to email about it. Besides the General
Assembly rejected the Youngkin budget and passed on with higher funding.

But not recouping the full cut.

Which newsletter? I scanned through all in 2024 and don’t remember seeing that.

And they want parents to email him? It’s a lobbyist org who only wants to “lobby” when it’s APS, not their buddy Youngkin.

Link to it or it didnt happen. And where is APE's own lobbying of Youngkin?

https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/newsletter-2024/march-12-2024-newsletter

ZERO mention of Youngkin here.

No letter to Youngkin, just the GA representatives.

No encouraging parents to write him.

An anti-equity RWNJ political rant that isn’t based on facts.


Why is this lobbying group not actually lobbying for our kids? The only thing they seem cabanas of doing is beetching about APS.

APE's leadership actually congratulated Youngkin when he won. The guy who wants to defund public schools into "Lab" and charter schools. Not to mention private school vouchers. I saw the letter when it came out. I bet it's still on my computer.

Every single DCUM thread reflect their dysfunction. They want the chaos. They just do it anon here.

Of course they did.

[Anonymous]

Why is everyone ignoring the teachers union that also agrees with reducing tech?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone ignoring the teachers union that also agrees with reducing tech?

Because they aren't APE and it doesn't fit the anti-APE commentary campaign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone ignoring the teachers union that also agrees with reducing tech?

Because AEA doesn't represent all teachers. Ask them what percentage of staff pays dues and get back to us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone ignoring the teachers union that also agrees with reducing tech?

Because AEA doesn't represent all teachers. Ask them what percentage of staff pays dues and get back to us.

I mean, this is the same AEA that endorsed the least qualified school board candidates. Why should anyone take them seriously?