APE and tech (APS)

[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?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Then the middle schools and upper elementary grades should probably have macbooks or at least ipads with the keyboard attachments. Switching to another provider for just a few grades doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Then the middle schools and upper elementary grades should probably have macbooks or at least ipads with the keyboard attachments. Switching to another provider for just a few grades doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

It would be really tone deaf to suggest buying MacBooks for more kids in a very tough budget year. Chromebooks seem more attainable given their price point, but what device is really a question for APS IT.

As a parent, I support the concept of devices with a keyboard for 5th grade and MS based on teacher sentiment but don't feel strongly at all about exactly what device as long as it works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Then the middle schools and upper elementary grades should probably have macbooks or at least ipads with the keyboard attachments. Switching to another provider for just a few grades doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

It would be really tone deaf to suggest buying MacBooks for more kids in a very tough budget year. Chromebooks seem more attainable given their price point, but what device is really a question for APS IT.

As a parent, I support the concept of devices with a keyboard for 5th grade and MS based on teacher sentiment but don't feel strongly at all about exactly what device as long as it works.

+1 the preference for “chromebooks” isn’t about being anti-Apple. They want laptops for older kids. If APS can afford Mac for MS let’s do it. Get rid of k-2 iPads and put it towards Macs for MS. Two birds with one stone.

[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.

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

Thank you. Most teachers and staff aren't even members of AEA.

[Anonymous]

If APS can afford to give middle-schoolers MacBooks, I'm all for it. Though not Chromebooks. Every single one I've owned has crapped out within a year. But they can't afford it. At least not this year and probably next.

K-2s should have iPads though. Not only because different assessments are online, but Lexia and Dreambox are excellent programs and can serve those learners that need content turned into games. If kids are learning from them, I see no need to yank them away because, reasons. Everything in moderation. There's nothing wrong with a little bit of iPad time in school. Even for the little ones.