DCI: Too much focus on tablets/devices?

[Anonymous]

What did the principal's email say?

[Anonymous]

Another interesting article....

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2015/01/12/370966699/meet-the-classroom-of-the-future

[Anonymous]

and another

http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2014/10/06/354102012/even-techies-limit-their-childs-screen-time

Lots of interesting articles on the NPR site, including one about how APA is more open to revising screen time limit. Lots more I haven't had a chance to review yet.

[Anonymous]

keep spending all that time online searching for info to boost your own viewpoint: it's ironic!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:keep spending all that time online searching for info to boost your own viewpoint: it's ironic!!!

Not the PP, but some of us actually read news on the internet in general. And this topic actually comes up in ::gasp:: the news! I've seen a few articles in the last couple of weeks.

If the articles we see are relevant to this conversation - on either side - why not post? That doesn't mean we have stopped going to our jobs and feeding our children in order to fish for articles saying tech exposure should be reduced. The information is increasingly out there.

[Anonymous]

I would love to read articles supporting the benefits of computer use in the classroom- I am sure there are benefits! And, yes, I use the internet! However, DCI is is following a course which is very new and, as such, parents should be asking questions and doing research. If you know of articles showing good outcomes, please share.

I am not sure why the DCI boosters feel the need to belittle those of us who are asking reasonable questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would love to read articles supporting the benefits of computer use in the classroom- I am sure there are benefits! And, yes, I use the internet! However, DCI is is following a course which is very new and, as such, parents should be asking questions and doing research. If you know of articles showing good outcomes, please share.

I am not sure why the DCI boosters feel the need to belittle those of us who are asking reasonable questions.

I have the same question. It's like a strange defensiveness, which given all the amazing accomplishments so far in visioning, founding, and opening/running DCI I can't understand. Why are boosters and why is the DCI administration so resistant to questions about the model and rules, and why so resistant to considering that maybe some revisions might be worth it?

[Anonymous]

Another article about how powerful a tool technology is, and how we need to limit kid exposure to them (max for any kid, according to this article, is 2 hours/day)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2930601/Are-kids-spending-time-staring-screens-Scary-figures-60-cent-Aussie-school-children-spend-two-hours-day-eyes-fixed-electronic-devices-s-getting-WORSE.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Another article about how powerful a tool technology is, and how we need to limit kid exposure to them (max for any kid, according to this article, is 2 hours/day)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2930601/Are-kids-spending-time-staring-screens-Scary-figures-60-cent-Aussie-school-children-spend-two-hours-day-eyes-fixed-electronic-devices-s-getting-WORSE.html

DCI parent here. Please note: no DCI parent that I know is advocating for less tech for educatin purposes. In the classrooms there is balance. What surprised many parents was that non-classroom times devices - Chromebooks or cells are allowed.

[Anonymous]

Really? Previous posts from other DCI parents suggest otherwise. You are right in that no poster has suggested a ban on tech but many have raised questions about kids getting distracted during class. Also, I think it is reasonable to continue to ask about the reliance of tech in every class, especially in light of recent research.

Ultimately, every family needs to do what t.hey feel is right for their DC. Based on current information, we will be considering other MS options. Feeling sad because I was so excited about DCI!

[Anonymous]

^^Yes, there have been complaints and concerns about technology early on but the administration is listening and is responding. There is much more balance in classrooms and I'm seeing more assignments on paper. They have also acknowledged that reading on a chromebook does not work and are researching e-readers vs. books. Personally, I don't want too much on paper as my kid prefers to type and I see the incredible organizational benefits with Google Classroom.

DCI now has the ability to block games or other non-educational content for kids who needs it. All parents have to do is request.

Where parents I've spoken with have concern is with the non-education times. The school has 2 breaks during the day, Brunch and Lunch. Both times, kids are free to use their chromebooks for games or use their personal devices. DCI wants kids to be able to make choices. However, I think especially at this age, kids are not prepared to make this choice. It’s like soda machines. Schools banded them because they saw that even when kids had a healthy choice they still went for the soda. The *choice* was weighted heavily toward junk food. Same with devices.

Maybe this will change if enough parents say they want tech free times. I think the administration would be up for this. They're still getting their bearings. Let's all try to breathe and work together to make this the great school it can be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really? Previous posts from other DCI parents suggest otherwise. You are right in that no poster has suggested a ban on tech but many have raised questions about kids getting distracted during class. Also, I think it is reasonable to continue to ask about the reliance of tech in every class, especially in light of recent research.

Ultimately, every family needs to do what t.hey feel is right for their DC. Based on current information, we will be considering other MS options. Feeling sad because I was so excited about DCI!

Are you at a feeder? How many years before MS for your children? We are in K and PK3 at a feeder and all of the parents I've talked to about this are interested to see what happens but are completely confident that a good compromise will be worked out LONG before our kids get there. I'm so curious about who's actually throwing in the towel on DCI and whether they're really feeder parents.

[Anonymous]

wish we had more time to take a wait and see approach but we will need to make a decision for next year. It will be a tough decision

[Anonymous]

To follow up on PP. When I asked at a recent open house if kids could do homework assigments without using the chromebook ( I thought this coulod be a good way to reduce screen time and allow me to supervise homework better) I was told all assignments must be completed via googl classroom. Do you think this might be an area the adminstration maybe willing to allow?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really? Previous posts from other DCI parents suggest otherwise. You are right in that no poster has suggested a ban on tech but many have raised questions about kids getting distracted during class. Also, I think it is reasonable to continue to ask about the reliance of tech in every class, especially in light of recent research.

Ultimately, every family needs to do what t.hey feel is right for their DC. Based on current information, we will be considering other MS options. Feeling sad because I was so excited about DCI!

Are you at a feeder? How many years before MS for your children? We are in K and PK3 at a feeder and all of the parents I've talked to about this are interested to see what happens but are completely confident that a good compromise will be worked out LONG before our kids get there. I'm so curious about who's actually throwing in the towel on DCI and whether they're really feeder parents.

Ditto - we have a 5th grader at a feeder. So just a month to make a decision.