movement to decrease edtech

[Anonymous]

In addition to the Education Technology Review Committee, the Governance Committee is drafting language around a new technology policy. They are discussing it at tomorrow’s work session: https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DU3P8R636C59

FCPS Parents for Intentional Technology is pushing removal of devices in the younger grades and that seems to be in this draft.

[Anonymous]

That would be great if they removed iPads grades. I still don’t understand why third graders need their laptops in PE end music.

[Anonymous]

Just wait until they fully get the kids using AI to complete their assignments, which is what Sandy Anderson is pushing. Because she says kids need to know how to use AI to succeed in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wait until they fully get the kids using AI to complete their assignments, which is what Sandy Anderson is pushing. Because she says kids need to know how to use AI to succeed in the future.

There are people out there who believe that white collar workers should be trained in AI, and view it as similar to transitioning from using a typewriter to a word processor. So instead of writing out memos word for word, we should be writing outlines and feeding AI sources to be incorporated into paragraphs, and then editing through those paragraphs. It would be similar to a biglaw partner tasking an associate with writing the first draft of a memo, and then editing the associate's work. I tried it it once on the recommendation of a colleague, and really hated it. But maybe there is something to be said for it.

Even if the future of white collar work involves using AI to draft memos, students need to know how to do the entire drafting process. Lawyers don't start out as biglaw partners. They start out as associates doing first drafts, and to learn to edit drafts you need to learn how they're built.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In addition to the Education Technology Review Committee, the Governance Committee is drafting language around a new technology policy. They are discussing it at tomorrow’s work session: https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DU3P8R636C59

FCPS Parents for Intentional Technology is pushing removal of devices in the younger grades and that seems to be in this draft.

It would certainly go a long way, but replacing things like "YouTube video of person reading storybook" with the teacher reading an actual physical book would be nice too. I understand there are many reasons why they do the video read aloud, or just look to BrainPop to teach certain concepts, but most kids deeply prefer actual in-person interaction to watching some stranger read or talk on a screen.

[Anonymous]

Our middle school is having a digital detox day on Friday. I hope they start doing it at least one day a week.

I do think it’s a tough battle though - we are asking so much of teachers and online does make grading etc easier. If they weren’t so overwhelmed, I bet it would be an easier sell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just wait until they fully get the kids using AI to complete their assignments, which is what Sandy Anderson is pushing. Because she says kids need to know how to use AI to succeed in the future.

There are people out there who believe that white collar workers should be trained in AI, and view it as similar to transitioning from using a typewriter to a word processor. So instead of writing out memos word for word, we should be writing outlines and feeding AI sources to be incorporated into paragraphs, and then editing through those paragraphs. It would be similar to a biglaw partner tasking an associate with writing the first draft of a memo, and then editing the associate's work. I tried it it once on the recommendation of a colleague, and really hated it. But maybe there is something to be said for it.

Even if the future of white collar work involves using AI to draft memos, students need to know how to do the entire drafting process. Lawyers don't start out as biglaw partners. They start out as associates doing first drafts, and to learn to edit drafts you need to learn how they're built.

In my federal job, I do this. It's the only way I can handle the workload. AI starts it. I edit and finish it. I think there's merit in teaching people how to do this but not at the elementary or secondary level. College maybe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just wait until they fully get the kids using AI to complete their assignments, which is what Sandy Anderson is pushing. Because she says kids need to know how to use AI to succeed in the future.

There are people out there who believe that white collar workers should be trained in AI, and view it as similar to transitioning from using a typewriter to a word processor. So instead of writing out memos word for word, we should be writing outlines and feeding AI sources to be incorporated into paragraphs, and then editing through those paragraphs. It would be similar to a biglaw partner tasking an associate with writing the first draft of a memo, and then editing the associate's work. I tried it it once on the recommendation of a colleague, and really hated it. But maybe there is something to be said for it.

Even if the future of white collar work involves using AI to draft memos, students need to know how to do the entire drafting process. Lawyers don't start out as biglaw partners. They start out as associates doing first drafts, and to learn to edit drafts you need to learn how they're built.

In my federal job, I do this. It's the only way I can handle the workload. AI starts it. I edit and finish it. I think there's merit in teaching people how to do this but not at the elementary or secondary level. College maybe.

AI helps my high schooler create study guides from text. I think there is a use, but they just don't understand where the line is yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our middle school is having a digital detox day on Friday. I hope they start doing it at least one day a week.

I do think it’s a tough battle though - we are asking so much of teachers and online does make grading etc easier. If they weren’t so overwhelmed, I bet it would be an easier sell.

interesting. Our MS showed the Avengers for 3 days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our middle school is having a digital detox day on Friday. I hope they start doing it at least one day a week.

I do think it’s a tough battle though - we are asking so much of teachers and online does make grading etc easier. If they weren’t so overwhelmed, I bet it would be an easier sell.

It’s an uphill battle for sure. APS is purchasing thousands of new MacBooks for the middle school students. MCPS doubled down on Chromebooks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should bring back text books and pen/pencil and paper.

Amen.

+1
Absolutely. I hope by the time I have grandchildren, FCPS (and all school systems) have gone back to common sense.

[Anonymous]

There were many wonderful speakers at the meeting last night - including the student rep who is not in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmT2XFulBAg&authuser=0

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should bring back text books and pen/pencil and paper.

Amen.

+1
Absolutely. I hope by the time I have grandchildren, FCPS (and all school systems) have gone back to common sense.

You might want to start saving for your grandchildren’s private school education right now.