Why no single platform?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:High school teacher here. I hate My MCPS Classroom and did not use it before all of this. However, I've been pushing a few things out on that platform since all of this happened because it seems that parents can see those items more easily.

Bottom line is that MCEA, our union, worked with MCPS to let teachers use the platform they are most comfortable with, which makes complete sense given the extraordinary circumstances we're living through right now.

If you're getting information on multiple platforms, it's probably because we're trying to cover our butts and make sure everyone has access to the information we're putting out there.

Yes, it makes sense for teachers and NOT students and their families.
MCPS tried to make it a single platform and MCEA fought it. So, when PD was provided this week to teachers the tech department had to divide their resources and provide training on two systems instead of one.

MyMCPS is no an MCPS created platform- it's just what MCPS has named Canvas, a platform used by many universities and systems. It is much more robust than Google Classroom and allows for a lot more support from the system in terms of pushing things out and into the course so all teachers have the same modules available.

MCPS has had voluntary training modules available for over a year on canvas, their biggest problem is they have never required them. They could have provided much more support to teachers and parents during this crazy time if they weren't trying to support two platforms. This is a crazy time and teachers are working hard, in each platform, but the union and individuals looked at this from a teacher perspective and not a student and family perspective.

[Anonymous]

I think they should have used Google classroom for elementary, but MyMCPS for middle and high. Canvas does need some time to learn, but it is not rocket science.

[Anonymous]

They are expecting the middle school students to check in to both platforms multiple times a day to see if the teacher has scheduled a zoom call or assigned work.

C’mon MCPS - we don’t have to do that in the work place! They also just had them set up their own zoom accounts. Get it together with a shared calendar at least so the kids know when their calls are and when to expect work assignments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:High school teacher here. I hate My MCPS Classroom and did not use it before all of this. However, I've been pushing a few things out on that platform since all of this happened because it seems that parents can see those items more easily.

Bottom line is that MCEA, our union, worked with MCPS to let teachers use the platform they are most comfortable with, which makes complete sense given the extraordinary circumstances we're living through right now.

If you're getting information on multiple platforms, it's probably because we're trying to cover our butts and make sure everyone has access to the information we're putting out there.

MCEA is a big part of our problem. Not interested in the needs of students or families at all.

[Anonymous]

Is it really that important right now to let the teachers use the platform they are most comfortable with? I don’t get to choose my own platform at work. That’s a joke. These are kids and the teachers are the adults.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two in MS. We have over the past several days received a ton of emails. Exactly 27 as of 11am this morning. My 8th grader did have a zoom class with his PLTW, Engineering teacher just to get familiar with Zoom and say hi which was a good experience for him.
With one son having ADD, all I want is way to export the schedule or the ability to help him set reminders within Google Classroom/MyMCPS for classwork due dates.
any ideas?.

Because every teacher is being told to email the same things. It would make so much more sense to have the principal just send out an email telling parents/students what the school is doing as a whole.

We have gotten one from every teacher, plus multiple follow-ups, PLUS several from our principal. But, none of them actually say much, other than we're going to try to do something, but we have no idea what/when/how.

[Anonymous]

My kid's MS teachers are using the same platforms they used before MCPS went online: myMCPS or Google classroom. The transition is seamless. My child checks his mcps email in the morning and afternoon for updates. All of his teachers have emailed him with instructions for this week. Zoom meetings are scheduled for Friday. Kids are chatting, sharing updates in online spaces created by teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are expecting the middle school students to check in to both platforms multiple times a day to see if the teacher has scheduled a zoom call or assigned work.

C’mon MCPS - we don’t have to do that in the work place! They also just had them set up their own zoom accounts. Get it together with a shared calendar at least so the kids know when their calls are and when to expect work assignments.

Did your child's teachers not use Google classroom or MYMCPS classroom before the pandemic? Why does your kid have to check multiple times a day? Any updates would be pushed down to their mcps email.

[Anonymous]

I went with MyMCPS for communication reasons more than anything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a middle Schooler and an elementary school child. For middle school I noticed that some assignments are on my MC PS, some are on Google classrooms and there is no unity which makes it hard for finding assignments. I apologize if I’m confusing the name of the modules but that’s how confused I am that I don’t even know which is which. Is there a reason why there is no standard teaching or communication module? It seems like it’s up to each teacher. I’m not criticizing I am trying to understand.

Hello --

MCPS did not give adequate training on myMCPS classroom when it first came out. Depending on the school and subject, some teachers were told that they had to switch platforms, and then had to learn on their own time how to make it work. As they have transitioned, some have found Google Classroom to be easier for their particular subject, others have found myMCPS Classroom to be easier. This is not surprising given the wide range of grade levels and subjects that we teach.

I agree that one teaching and communication module would be wonderful. It would be nice to have things streamlined. MCPS is planning some sort of a transition next year to make things more streamlined, but for now this is what we have.

MCPS always likes to receive feedback from parents. As we continue to move through this year, and begin to plan for things next year, some good things to suggest to the BOE include:

1. One platform that integrates communication, assignments, grades, attendance, and documentation.

2. One to One devices for students (at least at high school level) similar to Frederick County. In Frederick County, students can choose to use their own device or check out a chromebook from the school at the start of the year. The students then bring their device / chromebook to school each day. That way the student has access to a computer at home in order to complete assignments. At the end of the year, students return the chromebook to the school. Students will also have access whenever their is a snow day or other emergency closure without the rush to provide.

Can anyone think of other ideas?

The problem with Google Classroom is that Parent Access/Share is not turned on. There is no notifications, announcements or communication coming to parents through that Platform. If teachers are able to choose, there needs to be communication that explains that and identifies for students and parents which platform the teacher has choosen.

Most teachers in secondary picked what they and their students were already were familiar with. DH’s course does not work with MyMCPS Classroom, but Google Classroom pretty seamlessly integrates what he needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it really that important right now to let the teachers use the platform they are most comfortable with? I don’t get to choose my own platform at work. That’s a joke. These are kids and the teachers are the adults.

It sure seems like a sensible idea to me, yes.

[Anonymous]

So MCPS and the union went for what was easier for 13,000 teachers rather than the 166,000 students. Got it.

For parents trying to keep on top of school for our children, it sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are expecting the middle school students to check in to both platforms multiple times a day to see if the teacher has scheduled a zoom call or assigned work.

C’mon MCPS - we don’t have to do that in the work place! They also just had them set up their own zoom accounts. Get it together with a shared calendar at least so the kids know when their calls are and when to expect work assignments.

Did your child's teachers not use Google classroom or MYMCPS classroom before the pandemic? Why does your kid have to check multiple times a day? Any updates would be pushed down to their mcps email.

My 6th grader doesn’t have email on her phone. She is a kid. Therefore she has to check in multiple times per day on both platforms to see what’s going on. MYMCPS has a calendar but Google classroom doesn’t feed into it. Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are expecting the middle school students to check in to both platforms multiple times a day to see if the teacher has scheduled a zoom call or assigned work.

C’mon MCPS - we don’t have to do that in the work place! They also just had them set up their own zoom accounts. Get it together with a shared calendar at least so the kids know when their calls are and when to expect work assignments.

Did your child's teachers not use Google classroom or MYMCPS classroom before the pandemic? Why does your kid have to check multiple times a day? Any updates would be pushed down to their mcps email.

My 6th grader doesn’t have email on her phone. She is a kid. Therefore she has to check in multiple times per day on both platforms to see what’s going on. MYMCPS has a calendar but Google classroom doesn’t feed into it. Ridiculous.

The gmail app is free if she has a smartphone.

[Anonymous]

Great. What do the kids do who don’t have an iPhone?