APE and tech (APS)

[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.”

[Anonymous]

Read the comments on the article. APE is in their own little world as usual. The 1:1 is an equity thing. Apple products are not more expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read the comments on the article. APE is in their own little world as usual. The 1:1 is an equity thing. Apple products are not more expensive.

Most parents and teachers are with APE on this one. So many iPads never come back, are stolen, lost or shattered. Never seen a family charged for one. 1-1 in early elementary is a huge waste.

[Anonymous]

They are pushing to get rid of Apple? WTF? It’s the best option for education.

[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.

100% all of this

[Anonymous]

APE really dislikes Apple products for some reason. The Macbooks are better built, last longer and are easier to maintain. The Wall Street Journal had an article this past year on the cheap Chromebooks that become useless bricks because of the inability to upgrade the software and proprietary OS. Also those cheap plastic computers break more often.

I will not vote for any candidate that supports this ludicrous APE position that is not based on any sound research. Also, Macbooks, ipads, and learning cursive penmanship, reading physical books, drawing/painting, or whatever are not mutually exclusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read the comments on the article. APE is in their own little world as usual. The 1:1 is an equity thing. Apple products are not more expensive.

How is it an equity thing? My elementary students aren't allowed to bring their iPad home.

I really hate the use of iPads in early elementary and especially hate how often they're used to teach math. As a scientist, I think there's a ton of benefits to learning to do math on paper and show your work. By putting math and all math assessments on iPads you don't set kids up to succeed when math starts to get harder and you need to write out the steps. Reflex is a great program for practicing math facts, but normal math teaching and tests should be done on paper.

[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.

I'm not sure why you don't think this is a salient issue. We're in the middle of talking about budget cuts and surely ending 1:1 devices in K-2 would save money. I think many parents would support that step if it was endorsed by teachers. There's no reason to buy a device for every kid if they're just sitting unused the vast majority of the time.

[Anonymous]

Are the anti-APE paranoiacs now convinced that APE has infiltrated the AEA as well? Prakash basically endorsed their position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the anti-APE paranoiacs now convinced that APE has infiltrated the AEA as well? Prakash basically endorsed their position.

Lots of teachers are on board too. The 1:1 policy was implemented during COVID, when it was needed. It doesn't sound like elementary teachers think they need 1:1 for K-2, especially where the same funding could get them other supports.

I've also heard from my daughter's 5th grade teacher and MS teachers that teachers would prefer for a device with a keyboard (like a Chromebook) over an iPad so kids can more easily type content. They describe it as needing devices for content producers instead of content consumers. I don't think teachers are trying to get into the Mac/PC debate as much as suggesting a device at a similar price point as an iPad that has a full keyboard.

I don't think these are APE positions, even if APE agrees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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!

My first grader is also being pushed to get to a certain level in Lexia. She hasn’t had to go in early but her teacher wants us to do extra at home and she misses out on writing and other assignments so she can sit at a table to work on Lexia. Does anyone know what the deal is with this? I can’t believe they would hold a kid back for not reaching a certain level. Does the teacher get dinged if everyone doesn’t reach the benchmark?