iPad use at Dorothy Hamm Middle School -- does it get better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math tests should NOT be given on an app. No wonder American kids are so bad at math. My kids are older but went through APS schools and got a great education, especially in math. They ended up going to TJ and are now in STEM careers.

But I could see them having huge problems with taking a test this way. Only people who are not intrinsically good at math would think this is a good idea. Or they're just lazy. How do they see the work kids do to get the answer? Often the work will be right but the kid will make an arithmetic error at some point which yields the wrong answer.

Does every school district do this now?

The kids have paper to do the work on. Only the answers are entered in the app. Then as far as I know the paper work is then turned it. Its kind of like using a scan tron but click an answer online vs filling in a bubble.

Curious how this works. Is the paper just blank scratch paper or an actual printed test with questions? Does the paper get marked up and returned to students to review their errors?

The former - scratch paper

Then it's not going to be that useful for the student when (if) they get their work back because it won't be associated with the question. Kids need to review their marked up tests to know where they went wrong and know what to go back and review.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math tests should NOT be given on an app. No wonder American kids are so bad at math. My kids are older but went through APS schools and got a great education, especially in math. They ended up going to TJ and are now in STEM careers.

But I could see them having huge problems with taking a test this way. Only people who are not intrinsically good at math would think this is a good idea. Or they're just lazy. How do they see the work kids do to get the answer? Often the work will be right but the kid will make an arithmetic error at some point which yields the wrong answer.

Does every school district do this now?

The kids have paper to do the work on. Only the answers are entered in the app. Then as far as I know the paper work is then turned it. Its kind of like using a scan tron but click an answer online vs filling in a bubble.

Curious how this works. Is the paper just blank scratch paper or an actual printed test with questions? Does the paper get marked up and returned to students to review their errors?

The former - scratch paper

Then it's not going to be that useful for the student when (if) they get their work back because it won't be associated with the question. Kids need to review their marked up tests to know where they went wrong and know what to go back and review.

You'd think teachers would need to see the workings to know if the students understand the methodology.

[Anonymous]

My kids’ regular math quizzes and tests are on paper - they are required to show their work. It must vary by teacher.

The assessments are electronic.

[Anonymous]

OP here and we absolutely didn't get any scratch paper returned with this week's math test. We receive a small slip of paper with the numbers of the questions and then you look for the question where your student received a 0/1, go into the app on the ipad, find that question, use the retake sheet to write out the correct answer, write out why you got it wrong, turn that in with the small slip of paper. That is the single time we've received paper in math this year. One parent commented that her son actually received another student's slip, instead of his own. I do think this is all teacher specific, but it also seems to be the common practice among a few of my daughter's teachers on her team.

The solution I've found is to go into that app (there are no study guides, slides, or modules in Canvas for math), copy each screen one question at a time, paste that into a word document, and then print that out for her. She then worked through that with her newly found tutor who commented that most of his APS clients are having the same issue as to the ipad use.

Anywho, this is another issue with a system of schools and within the schools a system of individual teachers, alongside the county push to use these devices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here and we absolutely didn't get any scratch paper returned with this week's math test. We receive a small slip of paper with the numbers of the questions and then you look for the question where your student received a 0/1, go into the app on the ipad, find that question, use the retake sheet to write out the correct answer, write out why you got it wrong, turn that in with the small slip of paper. That is the single time we've received paper in math this year. One parent commented that her son actually received another student's slip, instead of his own. I do think this is all teacher specific, but it also seems to be the common practice among a few of my daughter's teachers on her team.

The solution I've found is to go into that app (there are no study guides, slides, or modules in Canvas for math), copy each screen one question at a time, paste that into a word document, and then print that out for her. She then worked through that with her newly found tutor who commented that most of his APS clients are having the same issue as to the ipad use.

Anywho, this is another issue with a system of schools and within the schools a system of individual teachers, alongside the county push to use these devices.

That is very complex. No wonder the achievement gap is widening; many families wouldn't have the time/realization of how to do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here and we absolutely didn't get any scratch paper returned with this week's math test. We receive a small slip of paper with the numbers of the questions and then you look for the question where your student received a 0/1, go into the app on the ipad, find that question, use the retake sheet to write out the correct answer, write out why you got it wrong, turn that in with the small slip of paper. That is the single time we've received paper in math this year. One parent commented that her son actually received another student's slip, instead of his own. I do think this is all teacher specific, but it also seems to be the common practice among a few of my daughter's teachers on her team.

The solution I've found is to go into that app (there are no study guides, slides, or modules in Canvas for math), copy each screen one question at a time, paste that into a word document, and then print that out for her. She then worked through that with her newly found tutor who commented that most of his APS clients are having the same issue as to the ipad use.

Anywho, this is another issue with a system of schools and within the schools a system of individual teachers, alongside the county push to use these devices.

That is very complex. No wonder the achievement gap is widening; many families wouldn't have the time/realization of how to do that.

OP and yes I thought that exact thought the entire time I was copying and pasting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here and we absolutely didn't get any scratch paper returned with this week's math test. We receive a small slip of paper with the numbers of the questions and then you look for the question where your student received a 0/1, go into the app on the ipad, find that question, use the retake sheet to write out the correct answer, write out why you got it wrong, turn that in with the small slip of paper. That is the single time we've received paper in math this year. One parent commented that her son actually received another student's slip, instead of his own. I do think this is all teacher specific, but it also seems to be the common practice among a few of my daughter's teachers on her team.

The solution I've found is to go into that app (there are no study guides, slides, or modules in Canvas for math), copy each screen one question at a time, paste that into a word document, and then print that out for her. She then worked through that with her newly found tutor who commented that most of his APS clients are having the same issue as to the ipad use.

Anywho, this is another issue with a system of schools and within the schools a system of individual teachers, alongside the county push to use these devices.

This is bananas. My kid teacher goes over the test in class (like question by question). She also post study guides and sample tests that the kids can print out and practice with before the actual test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here and we absolutely didn't get any scratch paper returned with this week's math test. We receive a small slip of paper with the numbers of the questions and then you look for the question where your student received a 0/1, go into the app on the ipad, find that question, use the retake sheet to write out the correct answer, write out why you got it wrong, turn that in with the small slip of paper. That is the single time we've received paper in math this year. One parent commented that her son actually received another student's slip, instead of his own. I do think this is all teacher specific, but it also seems to be the common practice among a few of my daughter's teachers on her team.

The solution I've found is to go into that app (there are no study guides, slides, or modules in Canvas for math), copy each screen one question at a time, paste that into a word document, and then print that out for her. She then worked through that with her newly found tutor who commented that most of his APS clients are having the same issue as to the ipad use.

Anywho, this is another issue with a system of schools and within the schools a system of individual teachers, alongside the county push to use these devices.

This is bananas. My kid teacher goes over the test in class (like question by question). She also post study guides and sample tests that the kids can print out and practice with before the actual test.

DP Based on this, it doesn't seem like they get a marked up test to take home with them though. Kids should be able to refer back to something when they're studying at home that includes markings for where they went off; that would be a useful reference for studying for future tests too. Does the teacher go over every test problem in class? That could take a lot of time; usually teachers just go over ones that a lot of kids miss.

[Anonymous]

NP and a Swanson parent.
This thread is very helpful because we are new to APS (coming from Catholic school) and having difficulty understanding some of the iPad assignments, especially if DC claims the teacher didn’t fully review the concepts in class.

App can be confusing for some exercises and can’t figure out how to review answers, even for homework. Study guides and any handouts (textbooks, keep dreaming ) would be awesome.

DC is an expert online gamer but struggling with Dreambox and other apps. DC used to like math (working problems out on paper) but now hates it, plus hates every class with primary iPad usage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here and we absolutely didn't get any scratch paper returned with this week's math test. We receive a small slip of paper with the numbers of the questions and then you look for the question where your student received a 0/1, go into the app on the ipad, find that question, use the retake sheet to write out the correct answer, write out why you got it wrong, turn that in with the small slip of paper. That is the single time we've received paper in math this year. One parent commented that her son actually received another student's slip, instead of his own. I do think this is all teacher specific, but it also seems to be the common practice among a few of my daughter's teachers on her team.

The solution I've found is to go into that app (there are no study guides, slides, or modules in Canvas for math), copy each screen one question at a time, paste that into a word document, and then print that out for her. She then worked through that with her newly found tutor who commented that most of his APS clients are having the same issue as to the ipad use.

Anywho, this is another issue with a system of schools and within the schools a system of individual teachers, alongside the county push to use these devices.

This is at DHMS in 6th? Which app are you referring to?

And you don’t see any modules for math in Canvas? Are you logged in with your kid’s account or a parent account?

What other classes are missing modules?

I would ask the teachers because this is VERY unusual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here and we absolutely didn't get any scratch paper returned with this week's math test. We receive a small slip of paper with the numbers of the questions and then you look for the question where your student received a 0/1, go into the app on the ipad, find that question, use the retake sheet to write out the correct answer, write out why you got it wrong, turn that in with the small slip of paper. That is the single time we've received paper in math this year. One parent commented that her son actually received another student's slip, instead of his own. I do think this is all teacher specific, but it also seems to be the common practice among a few of my daughter's teachers on her team.

The solution I've found is to go into that app (there are no study guides, slides, or modules in Canvas for math), copy each screen one question at a time, paste that into a word document, and then print that out for her. She then worked through that with her newly found tutor who commented that most of his APS clients are having the same issue as to the ipad use.

Anywho, this is another issue with a system of schools and within the schools a system of individual teachers, alongside the county push to use these devices.

This is bananas. My kid teacher goes over the test in class (like question by question). She also post study guides and sample tests that the kids can print out and practice with before the actual test.

Same. As has all of the math teachers my kids have had at DHMS. This sounds very atypical.

[Anonymous]

PP. My Swanson 6th grader failed another math test on material that he claims to have understood, and had practiced in a summer math course. For this test, I reviewed with him night before on worksheets (I made up) and he got almost all correct. But on the test, he got half the answers wrong.

Either the test taking online is messing him up or he is having test anxiety while using the app then not able to return to check answers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is in the 6th grade at DHMS. After helping her study for two tests this weekend, and realizing the only materials are in game-like apps, I looked at her APS iPad usage, and she's on it during almost all of the day. I thought maybe they were using it just to upload materials to Canvas, or while the teacher was working with small groups, but this looks like it's all on the iPad, unless she's in PE or at lunch. Math looks almost entirely on the iPad, she has a few pieces of paper in her binder but not much. For the two tests she had, the studying seemed unhelpful in that it was one question a screen at a time, and then the question disappeared and you could never go back to the answer to actually learn the material. They were cute games, but not helpful. Is this the nature of the beast in middle school in 2023? Or will it get better as the year goes on? I don't even need text books, but there has to be some kind of lecture, take some notes or complete a study guide, review the materials handed out, something other than what is on Canvas, right? Her grades are ultimately fine right now, because a lot seems to be content they had in the 4th and 5th grades, but I imagine at some point there has to be more, please tell me this happens? Please?

this still sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here and we absolutely didn't get any scratch paper returned with this week's math test. We receive a small slip of paper with the numbers of the questions and then you look for the question where your student received a 0/1, go into the app on the ipad, find that question, use the retake sheet to write out the correct answer, write out why you got it wrong, turn that in with the small slip of paper. That is the single time we've received paper in math this year. One parent commented that her son actually received another student's slip, instead of his own. I do think this is all teacher specific, but it also seems to be the common practice among a few of my daughter's teachers on her team.

The solution I've found is to go into that app (there are no study guides, slides, or modules in Canvas for math), copy each screen one question at a time, paste that into a word document, and then print that out for her. She then worked through that with her newly found tutor who commented that most of his APS clients are having the same issue as to the ipad use.

Anywho, this is another issue with a system of schools and within the schools a system of individual teachers, alongside the county push to use these devices.

This is bananas. My kid teacher goes over the test in class (like question by question). She also post study guides and sample tests that the kids can print out and practice with before the actual test.

+1

[Anonymous]

Still tons of iPad use. I effing hate IXL. I had my kid try a few of the same problems written down on paper and he couldn’t do them, despite flying through them on the iPad.