DCI Information Session 11/6

[Anonymous]

No one raised those type of concerns at the last open house. Lots of questions about curriculum, building (now and future), target language instruction, amount of homework and extracurriculars. Lots of questions to the students about their days and what they like/didn't like about school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a current parent I have to say DCI delivered exactly what they promised. A great curriculum through technology. My kid loves being able to type and the organized setup of google classroom.

What we were not prepared for was the access issues we've encountered. For example Google classroom is not a locked down app, so the kids have access to the internet at all times. DCI has implemented strict filters but kids have ways of finding the latest YouTube unblockers. Games are accessible during class time but the kids are supposed to have enough self control to stay on task.
Homework is a challenge as many kids waste time toggling between homework and Mindcraft or G- chat. It requires A LOT more parental supervision.

Where I got completely blindsided was during Orientation when the principal told kids during break they were free to use their devices to chat, play games, txt parents. I personally find it odd to walk into a school and see kids glued to screens-not just the school issued Chromebooks but the personal devices the kids are allowed to have.

The school is trying to make the case that technology will help our kids compete globally. They cite 21st century skills. I believe DCI is missing the point. Most of those skills are not technology based. Important is developing face to face interactions and collaboration.

From what I've seen the administration is not interested in any research which questions their model. They also don't seem interested in having any discussion with current parents on this. At least that was my feeling from the one and only meeting the school held to show parents the technology DCI is using. Answers to parents concerns ranged from vague to non-committal at best.

If you go to an open house ask specifics. We regret not asking these:
Do children have access to non educational material during classtimes? Does DCI provided any dedicated tech free times? What is the cell phone policy?

DCI is a new school and we expected to have bumps along the way. We just hope the administration will find some balance with their use of technology.

PP I totally believe you, and that just bums me out to no end - particularly the part about the Administration not being interested in engaging or responding to parent concerns. We have been so excited to be at a feeder and feel "totally set" and not having to worry until college about what schools our kids will go to. I know enough about technology to know that what is being said in this thread is a game-changer for our family and our excitement for DCI. If the environment you describe is how the school is when we're within 2 years of starting, we'll be seriously looking for Plan B. And we will find a Plan B, because I really will not have my kids spending that much time glued to devices and not having the majority of their classroom time be tech-free. This is huge and it is not good for our family. I'm sure there will be another family thrilled to fill our shoes if we don't go, so DCI will probably continue to do well even if there is an exodus of families for this.

[Anonymous]

+1. The DCI feed was a huge factor in our decision to attend a feeder, but now I'm not sure I would send my kids there. It's a very shortsighted approach that perhaps will be out of vogue before my kids reach 6th grade, but in the interim it's still a huge bummer.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the feedback. I really appreciate it. I was hoping the kids would not have access to games, etc. or that they could use their computers during break. Social skills are so important for kids to master and they can't learn these skills from a screen.

I am feeling sad that I might need to rethink MS plans. I had my heart set on DCI and still trying to process what I have learned in the last 48 hours.

Would love to hear from other parents both those who love the tech part and those that don't. Even though I hate the approach, I want to make sure I am keeping an open mind and not overreacting. TIA!

[Anonymous]

BTW, does DCI teach coding?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a current parent I have to say DCI delivered exactly what they promised. A great curriculum through technology. My kid loves being able to type and the organized setup of google classroom.

What we were not prepared for was the access issues we've encountered. For example Google classroom is not a locked down app, so the kids have access to the internet at all times. DCI has implemented strict filters but kids have ways of finding the latest YouTube unblockers. Games are accessible during class time but the kids are supposed to have enough self control to stay on task.
Homework is a challenge as many kids waste time toggling between homework and Mindcraft or G- chat. It requires A LOT more parental supervision.

Where I got completely blindsided was during Orientation when the principal told kids during break they were free to use their devices to chat, play games, txt parents. I personally find it odd to walk into a school and see kids glued to screens-not just the school issued Chromebooks but the personal devices the kids are allowed to have.

The school is trying to make the case that technology will help our kids compete globally. They cite 21st century skills. I believe DCI is missing the point. Most of those skills are not technology based. Important is developing face to face interactions and collaboration.

From what I've seen the administration is not interested in any research which questions their model. They also don't seem interested in having any discussion with current parents on this. At least that was my feeling from the one and only meeting the school held to show parents the technology DCI is using. Answers to parents concerns ranged from vague to non-committal at best.

If you go to an open house ask specifics. We regret not asking these:
Do children have access to non educational material during classtimes? Does DCI provided any dedicated tech free times? What is the cell phone policy?

DCI is a new school and we expected to have bumps along the way. We just hope the administration will find some balance with their use of technology.

wow. no way.

[Anonymous]

I thought before DCI even opened it was advertising the technology push, i.e. no paper and using chromebooks for everything. It seems like they have been upfront about that.

[Anonymous]

Well, I hadn't been paying too much attention except for checking their website. It mentions their focus on technology but did not explain the details or describe itself as being a "paperless" school (of course, I may have missed it). And, since this is the first year of the school, it is not surprising that many of us didn't know/understand the details.

I don't think anybody is accusing the school of hiding anything but are questioning the risk/benefits of this untested approach. The concerns raised so far seem reasonable. Again, would love to hear more from parents whose kids attend.

[Anonymous]

The 100% paperless isn't the biggest problem for me. It's the access to internet. I would have preferred the school used apps which can be locked down. But games & cell phones during school lunch? Wow!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought before DCI even opened it was advertising the technology push, i.e. no paper and using chromebooks for everything. It seems like they have been upfront about that.

I agree, I think they have been upfront about it. But as a parent that's been following the PR around DCI closely since our kids have been at feeders from the beginning, I will totally admit that I didn't understand what that meant until now. And I am gravely concerned. Just because you talk about chromebooks and "paperless", I'll be honest, it never occurred to me that that meant ALL LEARNING will be on computers. I am totally and completely not ok with that, for all sorts of reasons from the impacts on attention and retention of info when learning that way, to that much exposure to radiation (call me crazy, but you know and I know the info is only starting to come in about how much radiation and what the impacts are especially on children), and the absurd about of access to the internet it sounds like students have.

None of these things were clear to me, and I'll own that I didn't get it, but that doesn't change how incredibly concerning I find all of it. I have a huge concern with it and it scares me that I am not as done with DC school lotteries as I thought I was.

[Anonymous]

Glad to hear I'm not alone in my failure to understand/appreciate the details of the school's paperless approach. Do current parent's know if the school's response to similar concerns raised by parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BTW, does DCI teach coding?

BUMP

Do they? With all the devices, it sounds like they could easily give access to Scratch or other intros to coding.

I have several friends from developing countries who told me they learned to code with paper and pencil or chalk and a slate tablet. The kind that comes from a rock and doesn't use electricity.

Maybe DCI is confusing technology, the ability to develop and use tools and solve problems, with technological devices, as in specific machines relevant only in context like the printing press or cotton gin.

How does their approach compare with all the buzz about blended learning with computers that DCPS is pushing?

Can any educators out there weigh in?

[Anonymous]

I really hope DCI sees the light in the next few years and scales back on this nonsense. At a feeder and would not be happy to have my kid glued to a screen all day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought before DCI even opened it was advertising the technology push, i.e. no paper and using chromebooks for everything. It seems like they have been upfront about that.

I agree, I think they have been upfront about it. But as a parent that's been following the PR around DCI closely since our kids have been at feeders from the beginning, I will totally admit that I didn't understand what that meant until now. And I am gravely concerned. Just because you talk about chromebooks and "paperless", I'll be honest, it never occurred to me that that meant ALL LEARNING will be on computers. I am totally and completely not ok with that, for all sorts of reasons from the impacts on attention and retention of info when learning that way, to that much exposure to radiation (call me crazy, but you know and I know the info is only starting to come in about how much radiation and what the impacts are especially on children), and the absurd about of access to the internet it sounds like students have.

None of these things were clear to me, and I'll own that I didn't get it, but that doesn't change how incredibly concerning I find all of it. I have a huge concern with it and it scares me that I am not as done with DC school lotteries as I thought I was.

So since you have time before your child enters DCI, what are you going to do to engage DCI and change it for the better? If nothing, please leave the feeder so that my kid can get in, because I'd be willing to get involved.

[Anonymous]

I would be very happy to try and engage DCI? Current parents, has the administration been responsive when parents have raised concerns?