S/O opting out of school tech

[Anonymous]

Reading the thread on phones in classes. Everyone seems to agree that tech in classrooms is a problem. Has anyone succeeded in opting out of screens in the classroom? I know you can opt not to give your kid a phone, but what options exist for opting out of laptops/iPad in class? Has anyone been successful in fighting the tide?

I am in Montgomery County but curious about other places too!

[Anonymous]

I don't see how that would work. If all of the other students are working on their electronic device, what would your kid be doing?
What grade is your kid in?

[Anonymous]

Why would you do this?

[Anonymous]

your aren't entitled to a unique education tailored for you

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to see how long I can hold out on buying my child a phone (she's 7 going on 8 so I'm trying to hold out until she's 13) expecting I'm going to hear a lot of complaints about this pretty soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to see how long I can hold out on buying my child a phone (she's 7 going on 8 so I'm trying to hold out until she's 13) expecting I'm going to hear a lot of complaints about this pretty soon.

That's not the same as opting out of school issued tech. If you want that you need to find another school environment or homeschool.

[Anonymous]

This is not an option.

[Anonymous]

Homeschool?

[Anonymous]

Not an option. I HATE the chromebooks and have had to see them as the price of a free education.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I don't think it's possible. The one thing you could maybe do is ask around about how different reachers handle technology in the classroom and request a teacher on this basis specifically. A bit different than the usual teacher request because based on pedagogy, so some administrators might be receptive to the argument (different from requesting a class assignment because you know the teacher, or the older sibling had her, or you want to keep friend's together, or you prefer another classroom). Though most of the time they will just tell you that all the teacher's follow the same curriculum. It's not exactly true though -- some teachers absolutely work harder to minimize screen time whereas others rely on it.

Otherwise, you can try to move to a private or charter school with a no or low technology policy.

[Anonymous]

Not an option in public school.

[Anonymous]

Blackboard, overhead projectors, text books, and dry erase boards have gone the way of the dinosaur Op.

the tablet is a much easier abd more efficient way of teaching.

Get your kid blue light glasses if you're worried

[Anonymous]

I teach at a public school. Yes, you can opt out of school tech by either having your own device or submitting work on paper. Teachers will need to print a bunch of stuff, and it's likely you'd still need to look at a larger screen during class, but I doubt a school would force a child to use a device all the time, if the family didn't want it. These kind of accommodations are made often anyway for students who have concussions or migraines, and some students' IEPs require paper options. None of this is going to be super actively advertised to families as an option, but it's worth asking for if you want your kid on the screen less, which is totally understandable.

[Anonymous]

Our school (LCPS) lets you decline the Chromebook but you have to provide your own laptop in its place. You can’t just say “no computer.” They will just give your kid one at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I teach at a public school. Yes, you can opt out of school tech by either having your own device or submitting work on paper. Teachers will need to print a bunch of stuff, and it's likely you'd still need to look at a larger screen during class, but I doubt a school would force a child to use a device all the time, if the family didn't want it. These kind of accommodations are made often anyway for students who have concussions or migraines, and some students' IEPs require paper options. None of this is going to be super actively advertised to families as an option, but it's worth asking for if you want your kid on the screen less, which is totally understandable.

Thanks, this is what I was going for. I’d be willing to do the legwork for the teacher such as printing things out myself (not sure if that’s feasible though).