Requesting no/low tech options for kids—FCPS teachers, what is possible?

[Anonymous]

I’m concerned about the overuse of tech in schools and esp FCPS. I’m not totally opposed to Lexia and st math but not a fan of all of the apps my kid gets out on otherwise. If I asked teachers if they could have my kid only do the book box instead on myon, tumblebooks, starfall, etc would that work?

As the grade levels advance, I know even more is done on computers, and I’m concerned given the benefits of handwriting for neural development and learning. Is there any way I can ask teachers to have my kids do more by hand and then just turn it in? Or other ways people have navigated this?

For hw, could we print and hand in in person? I’d be happy to volunteer to grade his work!

Any stories of people who were able to secure non or reduced tech options for their kids would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

We haven't gone that far, but I have instructed my kids that if there is a choice between MyON, Tumblebooks, and the like and a print book, they are to pick the print book.

[Anonymous]

Your options are private school or homeschool. Maybe if your kid has a 504 or IEP, they may be able to do certain things low tech, but just a regular student based on parents request is not going to happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m concerned about the overuse of tech in schools and esp FCPS. I’m not totally opposed to Lexia and st math but not a fan of all of the apps my kid gets out on otherwise. If I asked teachers if they could have my kid only do the book box instead on myon, tumblebooks, starfall, etc would that work?

As the grade levels advance, I know even more is done on computers, and I’m concerned given the benefits of handwriting for neural development and learning. Is there any way I can ask teachers to have my kids do more by hand and then just turn it in? Or other ways people have navigated this?

For hw, could we print and hand in in person? I’d be happy to volunteer to grade his work!

Any stories of people who were able to secure non or reduced tech options for their kids would be appreciated.

I had a parent request this a couple years ago. I told them they could print everything out and the student could do it on paper, but I wouldn’t be taken on the additional work on my end. It lasted less than 2 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Teacher here. Honestly it depends on grades. Our K-2 is pretty limited on tech. It will start vamping up slightly in 3rd but even my 6th graders do a lot on paper. Right now the only thing they are using for computers is for writing, calculator use and Lexia. It will vary based off unit and day. But we are in a pretty low tech place of the year since research is done.

[Anonymous]

There is a town in Ireland that got parents to pledge to not give their kids smart phones or social media while they were in grade school. It started with one school, then spread like wildfire.

Very quickly, the peer pressure on parents was to not be the one giving their younger kids a smart phone, vs the standard of not wanting your kid left out.

In the article I read, parents and schools are delighted with the outcome.

Behavior drastically improved.

Scores improved.

Kids started going to bed and sleeping instead of sneaking their phones at night, which improved behavior at school and concentration.

Girls especially became less weight and appearance focused.

Kids started interacting more, playing together and behaving in age appropriate ways.

All of the bad behaviors wrought by letting kids have online access faded away.

They are hoping to spread the parent pledge across Ireland.

I wish FCPS could do something similar, starting in elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a town in Ireland that got parents to pledge to not give their kids smart phones or social media while they were in grade school. It started with one school, then spread like wildfire.

Very quickly, the peer pressure on parents was to not be the one giving their younger kids a smart phone, vs the standard of not wanting your kid left out.

In the article I read, parents and schools are delighted with the outcome.

Behavior drastically improved.

Scores improved.

Kids started going to bed and sleeping instead of sneaking their phones at night, which improved behavior at school and concentration.

Girls especially became less weight and appearance focused.

Kids started interacting more, playing together and behaving in age appropriate ways.

All of the bad behaviors wrought by letting kids have online access faded away.

They are hoping to spread the parent pledge across Ireland.

I wish FCPS could do something similar, starting in elementary school.

I know very few kids who had a phone in ES. I think the more common transition point is MS. Love this idea still though.

[Anonymous]

Tech should be once a week in elementary

[Anonymous]

Tech is throughout every class in elementary

[Anonymous]

We need a tech free school option, compare test scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We need a tech free school option, compare test scores.

There is a tech free option available to all parents. It’s called homeschooling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a town in Ireland that got parents to pledge to not give their kids smart phones or social media while they were in grade school. It started with one school, then spread like wildfire.

Very quickly, the peer pressure on parents was to not be the one giving their younger kids a smart phone, vs the standard of not wanting your kid left out.

In the article I read, parents and schools are delighted with the outcome.

Behavior drastically improved.

Scores improved.

Kids started going to bed and sleeping instead of sneaking their phones at night, which improved behavior at school and concentration.

Girls especially became less weight and appearance focused.

Kids started interacting more, playing together and behaving in age appropriate ways.

All of the bad behaviors wrought by letting kids have online access faded away.

They are hoping to spread the parent pledge across Ireland.

I wish FCPS could do something similar, starting in elementary school.

+100
This sounds like nirvana. If only they could do this here AND continue it through middle school.

[Anonymous]

It’s easier for FCPS teachers to use tech

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need a tech free school option, compare test scores.

There is a tech free option available to all parents. It’s called homeschooling.

Not for low income or single working parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s easier for FCPS teachers to use tech

For most things, no it's not.