How much is screen/ chromebook used at the elementary school level?

[Transplant_1]

We're wondering about use of chromebook, or screen in general, at the elementary level. We come from another school district where there was some use of screen, eg at math stations in use of math software (Iready), and in English/social studies for writing stories, and creating power point presentations. I found this more than enough.

We might be moving to MCPS (specifically zone for Westbrook) and wonder if it might be worse. Eg: are kids handed out chromebooks to do their homework, assignments, etc? Or are assignments and homework still somewhat paper based? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

There is not much homework in elementary. For us it was just reading 20-30 mins a night and the Eureka homework, which was paper-based (you get a homework workbook).

Math is in the workbook, but they definitely play math games too. For ELA, they also get workbooks, but they complete the assignments on their chromebooks (at school, not at home).

[Anonymous]

There is a ridiculous amount of screen time at our elementary school. In full disclosure, we are not zoned for Westbrook and my kids attend a Title 1 school with a high FARMS rate.

The kids watch movies as a ‘treat’ or as a reward. They watch movies or shows during indoor recess. They play an insane amount of useless games on Abcya or other similar websites. The read books on Epic instead of paper books. Even the media specialist has been known to run a YouTube video of someone reading a book to the kids versus actually reading the book.

Homework is sometimes on the Chromebooks. Our school gives everyone a Chromebook to take home. They do slide shows or research from various websites. Math homework is usually on paper in one of the Eureka Math workbooks.

I honestly think it’s too much screen time and more than the kids need. But maybe a school like Westbrook is better?

[Anonymous]

Always "too much screen time" for some parents.

Screens are the "way of the future" for others.

[Anonymous]

As for teachers showing YouTube videos of books, they would probably be spending their own money to buy those books. I just show the video if there is one. I’m done spending my meager salary to do my job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a ridiculous amount of screen time at our elementary school. In full disclosure, we are not zoned for Westbrook and my kids attend a Title 1 school with a high FARMS rate.

The kids watch movies as a ‘treat’ or as a reward. They watch movies or shows during indoor recess. They play an insane amount of useless games on Abcya or other similar websites. The read books on Epic instead of paper books. Even the media specialist has been known to run a YouTube video of someone reading a book to the kids versus actually reading the book.

Homework is sometimes on the Chromebooks. Our school gives everyone a Chromebook to take home. They do slide shows or research from various websites. Math homework is usually on paper in one of the Eureka Math workbooks.

I honestly think it’s too much screen time and more than the kids need. But maybe a school like Westbrook is better?

Epic as opposed to paper books or in addition to or as an option instead of a paper book? Does this offer a great selection of books than what is available is the media center/teacher classroom libraries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As for teachers showing YouTube videos of books, they would probably be spending their own money to buy those books. I just show the video if there is one. I’m done spending my meager salary to do my job.

Does your school not have a library?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As for teachers showing YouTube videos of books, they would probably be spending their own money to buy those books. I just show the video if there is one. I’m done spending my meager salary to do my job.

Does your school not have a library?

Yes, it does but that doesn’t mean it has every book we need. Not even close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a ridiculous amount of screen time at our elementary school. In full disclosure, we are not zoned for Westbrook and my kids attend a Title 1 school with a high FARMS rate.

The kids watch movies as a ‘treat’ or as a reward. They watch movies or shows during indoor recess. They play an insane amount of useless games on Abcya or other similar websites. The read books on Epic instead of paper books. Even the media specialist has been known to run a YouTube video of someone reading a book to the kids versus actually reading the book.

Homework is sometimes on the Chromebooks. Our school gives everyone a Chromebook to take home. They do slide shows or research from various websites. Math homework is usually on paper in one of the Eureka Math workbooks.

I honestly think it’s too much screen time and more than the kids need. But maybe a school like Westbrook is better?

Epic as opposed to paper books or in addition to or as an option instead of a paper book? Does this offer a great selection of books than what is available is the media center/teacher classroom libraries.

Our school offers Epic as opposed to paper books. The kids were encouraged to read books on Epic.

The other PP is correct that teachers often have to stick their own classroom libraries. So Epic is cheaper.

I can certainly understand teachers not wanting to spend their own money. I’ve volunteered a lot and seen how the kids destroy/lose the books anyway!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a ridiculous amount of screen time at our elementary school. In full disclosure, we are not zoned for Westbrook and my kids attend a Title 1 school with a high FARMS rate.

The kids watch movies as a ‘treat’ or as a reward. They watch movies or shows during indoor recess. They play an insane amount of useless games on Abcya or other similar websites. The read books on Epic instead of paper books. Even the media specialist has been known to run a YouTube video of someone reading a book to the kids versus actually reading the book.

Homework is sometimes on the Chromebooks. Our school gives everyone a Chromebook to take home. They do slide shows or research from various websites. Math homework is usually on paper in one of the Eureka Math workbooks.

I honestly think it’s too much screen time and more than the kids need. But maybe a school like Westbrook is better?

Epic as opposed to paper books or in addition to or as an option instead of a paper book? Does this offer a great selection of books than what is available is the media center/teacher classroom libraries.

Our school offers Epic as opposed to paper books. The kids were encouraged to read books on Epic.

The other PP is correct that teachers often have to stick their own classroom libraries. So Epic is cheaper.

I can certainly understand teachers not wanting to spend their own money. I’ve volunteered a lot and seen how the kids destroy/lose the books anyway!

Schools managed to maintain libraries for decades. How has that suddenly become impossible?

[Anonymous]

Yes, even videos in PE class. It’s ridiculous

[Anonymous]

I am not anti-screen at all, but the amount of screen time is staggering. "Chrome book time" as part of the daily schedule, where kids will choose whether to play games or listen to books. Prodigy once the math lesson is done. Reading activities on screen. TV shows daily during transition times (= at least 30mins per day, 15 before recess and 15-25 before dismissal). "Brain breaks" that involve having the entire clas watch short music videos. Movies and chrome book time during music class. Watching/listening to books during snack.

I get that teachers are overwhelmed. I also feel like kids deserve more authentic learning experiences.

[Anonymous]

I've seen instruction via videos for art and music class too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a ridiculous amount of screen time at our elementary school. In full disclosure, we are not zoned for Westbrook and my kids attend a Title 1 school with a high FARMS rate.

The kids watch movies as a ‘treat’ or as a reward. They watch movies or shows during indoor recess. They play an insane amount of useless games on Abcya or other similar websites. The read books on Epic instead of paper books. Even the media specialist has been known to run a YouTube video of someone reading a book to the kids versus actually reading the book.

Homework is sometimes on the Chromebooks. Our school gives everyone a Chromebook to take home. They do slide shows or research from various websites. Math homework is usually on paper in one of the Eureka Math workbooks.

I honestly think it’s too much screen time and more than the kids need. But maybe a school like Westbrook is better?

Epic as opposed to paper books or in addition to or as an option instead of a paper book? Does this offer a great selection of books than what is available is the media center/teacher classroom libraries.

Our school offers Epic as opposed to paper books. The kids were encouraged to read books on Epic.

The other PP is correct that teachers often have to stick their own classroom libraries. So Epic is cheaper.

I can certainly understand teachers not wanting to spend their own money. I’ve volunteered a lot and seen how the kids destroy/lose the books anyway!

Schools managed to maintain libraries for decades. How has that suddenly become impossible?

.

It isn’t but they have limited books. A teacher doesn’t want to have to buy a book that they library doesn’t have. Why is that so hard to understand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a ridiculous amount of screen time at our elementary school. In full disclosure, we are not zoned for Westbrook and my kids attend a Title 1 school with a high FARMS rate.

The kids watch movies as a ‘treat’ or as a reward. They watch movies or shows during indoor recess. They play an insane amount of useless games on Abcya or other similar websites. The read books on Epic instead of paper books. Even the media specialist has been known to run a YouTube video of someone reading a book to the kids versus actually reading the book.

Homework is sometimes on the Chromebooks. Our school gives everyone a Chromebook to take home. They do slide shows or research from various websites. Math homework is usually on paper in one of the Eureka Math workbooks.

I honestly think it’s too much screen time and more than the kids need. But maybe a school like Westbrook is better?

Epic as opposed to paper books or in addition to or as an option instead of a paper book? Does this offer a great selection of books than what is available is the media center/teacher classroom libraries.

Our school offers Epic as opposed to paper books. The kids were encouraged to read books on Epic.

The other PP is correct that teachers often have to stick their own classroom libraries. So Epic is cheaper.

I can certainly understand teachers not wanting to spend their own money. I’ve volunteered a lot and seen how the kids destroy/lose the books anyway!

Schools managed to maintain libraries for decades. How has that suddenly become impossible?

.

It isn’t but they have limited books. A teacher doesn’t want to have to buy a book that they library doesn’t have. Why is that so hard to understand?

SOME schools have limited books in the media center and even more limited in teachers classroom. I do think kids should be encouraged to check books out from the media center if the teachers classroom library is small and not updated. I also think this is an area where parents should lobby their PTA, School Adminstrators, and MCPs to place attention and funds. Media Centers serve the entire school. A well resourced one can be helpful.