DCI: Too much focus on tablets/devices?

[Anonymous]

I read the second half PP and you make some really good points, especially about the trepidation making it awful and a time sink. And I am fairly anti-tech, but have young kids now.

[Anonymous]

Is the Walter Reed location a done deal?

[Anonymous]

Yes, using tech isn't all or nothing. Many parents would be more comfortable with strategic use of technology not the 100% use in every class. As for the argument that equal access is helpful, the study cited by the NYT suggests otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Re Walter Reed site, at a feeder school info night, the DCI administration said they will open there at the latest Fall 2017.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, using tech isn't all or nothing. Many parents would be more comfortable with strategic use of technology not the 100% use in every class. As for the argument that equal access is helpful, the study cited by the NYT suggests otherwise.

It is NOT 100%. It is currently 50/50.

[Anonymous]

Sorry. Let me clarify. The computer is used for some portion of every class except for P.E. The kids have access during every free period and break. The kids must use computer to complete homework. This is different from using computer is science and math class but not in English and allowing kids the option to read paper books and do some homework assignments off line. 50/50 can be defined in many ways. DCI defines 50/50 as spending 50% of the every class on the computer.

[Anonymous]

It's the games!!! DCI parent here. We're NOT anti-tech.

How many parents think it's OK for kids to play multi-player online games at school, on a school issued laptop at 10am? The day has just begun and kids are in online chats with anyone in the world. Yes, most players comments are innocent enough, "you suck" "bleep gun is best". But then there's always that weirdo who feels compelled to discuss how he took his girl doggie style last night. Really!

All this while teachers try their best to engage kids in other activities and admin smiles to themselves that they are providing youth culture to "kids who couldn't otherwise be able to afford personal devices." Quoted because the principal has stayed this numerous times.

Or what about kids who could care less about games but want to learn? They need to sit next to that student whose constant attempts to play is distracting. Teacher needs to spend time "disciplining" for something that can easily be shut off.

The admin is deluding themselves that they are breaking the digital divide.

Feeders, you have the power to change this. Complain to your own admin, pressure DCI at their info sessions. Especially for Chinese and French, DCI NEEDS you.

[Anonymous]

^^could you explain the mention of Chinese or French. Is this more of an issue for kids with that language focus?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Re Walter Reed site, at a feeder school info night, the DCI administration said they will open there at the latest Fall 2017.

But are all the contracts signed? Is it definite?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^could you explain the mention of Chinese or French. Is this more of an issue for kids with that language focus?

Because DCI needs advanced students in these languages.

[Anonymous]

^^ sorry, post too soon. DCI was meant to be an upper grade option for their EL schools. They need students with advanced language skills to make the model work. In DC there's no shortage of Spanish speaking kids to fill slots. But Chinese and French will be harder to fill, if at all. So, DCI will meet their numbers but not necessarily the demographic they'd hoped for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re Walter Reed site, at a feeder school info night, the DCI administration said they will open there at the latest Fall 2017.

But are all the contracts signed? Is it definite?

No. Land hasn't even been transferred to DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ sorry, post too soon. DCI was meant to be an upper grade option for their EL schools. They need students with advanced language skills to make the model work. In DC there's no shortage of Spanish speaking kids to fill slots. But Chinese and French will be harder to fill, if at all. So, DCI will meet their numbers but not necessarily the demographic they'd hoped for.

Still don't get it. Could you break it down dummy style?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ sorry, post too soon. DCI was meant to be an upper grade option for their EL schools. They need students with advanced language skills to make the model work. In DC there's no shortage of Spanish speaking kids to fill slots. But Chinese and French will be harder to fill, if at all. So, DCI will meet their numbers but not necessarily the demographic they'd hoped for.

But it's lottery. They can't just pick Spanish speaking kids to replace the feeder kids that will now likely leave.

[Anonymous]

Just by shear numbers there are more kids who could lottery in fluent in Spanish than French or Mandarin.