Cross post from DCPS -- Videos in elementary classroom

Anonymous
I originally posted this in DCPS forum but would like to hear from other school districts. Sometimes I feel so lost as to what my expectations should be. The most technology we had when I was in school was the AV cart and an occasional VHS video so I want a better picture of reality.

Trying to gauge what the norm might be out there. Our school is fully decked out in chrome books, smart boards, etc. I think the technology is a wonderful asset and great opportunity for teaching but it seems like both my kids see The Magic School Bus with some regularity. Maybe once or twice a week. Is this becoming a standard in teaching? I just want to set my expectations accordingly because I default to not believing that kids watching videos in the classroom is a good thing. Do schools have policies established for how this equipment is used? It seems like the equipment has been deployed and teachers get autonomy to use it as they see fit and I guess, in our case, this includes The Magic School Bus. So before I go to parent teacher conferences or start asking around school thought I would see what other experiences are in schools. I know many people will have opinions on should/should not and videos but I am really looking for some feedback on your experience.
Anonymous
I taught school. Sometimes (rare) there is paperwork that is urgent. The teacher may be using it as a teaching tool. On a day like today (rain) I understand. But, frequently,.......not such a good idea.
Anonymous
How long is the video? My kids are in elem for 7 hrs a day. They don't get screen time when we gone home because we have homework and then are outside playing in the neighborhood. Then shower and pjs.. If they get 30 or 40 minutes of an educational video at school, then I am ok.
Anonymous
When I taught and recess was impossible due to weather, we may have watched a video. I tried to play an indoor game--but sometimes a video would work better.
Anonymous
It shouldn't be used that frequently for instruction. I know I've used it a bit more than I should (I'm a teacher), but not that much. Exceptions: indoor recess, or if a teacher is showing segments and actively stopping it periodically to discuss.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:How long is the video? My kids are in elem for 7 hrs a day. They don't get screen time when we gone home because we have homework and then are outside playing in the neighborhood. Then shower and pjs.. If they get 30 or 40 minutes of an educational video at school, then I am ok.

Videos in class plus homework after = idiotic.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:How long is the video? My kids are in elem for 7 hrs a day. They don't get screen time when we gone home because we have homework and then are outside playing in the neighborhood. Then shower and pjs.. If they get 30 or 40 minutes of an educational video at school, then I am ok.

Videos in class plus homework after = idiotic.

Wow.... Should it be all work every inkling of the 7 hr day? Let me as you. As a parent, are you helping to educate your child directly? Should fun Friday be eliminated too? Should teachers be expected to occupy that time as well? It is do easy to complain and be critical when you are an outsider looking in. Bigger question. Does your child enjoy school? Is your child learning?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:How long is the video? My kids are in elem for 7 hrs a day. They don't get screen time when we gone home because we have homework and then are outside playing in the neighborhood. Then shower and pjs.. If they get 30 or 40 minutes of an educational video at school, then I am ok.

Videos in class plus homework after = idiotic.

Wow.... Should it be all work every inkling of the 7 hr day? Let me as you. As a parent, are you helping to educate your child directly? Should fun Friday be eliminated too? Should teachers be expected to occupy that time as well? It is do easy to complain and be critical when you are an outsider looking in. Bigger question. Does your child enjoy school? Is your child learning?

+1

So true PP. In this time where parents are struggling to find the right and best education for our kids to help prepare them for the future, you have people that find things like a 30 min video to focus on and complain about. If watching magic School Bus is going to ruin your child or gravely impact his/her educational experience, you have bigger fish to fry at home. Is your LO not getting math, English, writing, PE, music, Spanish, recess in? Oh wait, should we cut recess out too??? Haha. As for the evil homework, get off your lazy soapboxes about homework and start getting involved with your child's schoolwork. Oh, is that not your job? Wake up and stop complaining. I am so sick of people complaining about homework and why it is so evil. Do you really not understand how it helps to reinforce concepts and even more, how it makes your child feel that you are helping instead of just watching? I am a parent of two elem kids and I am glad they have homework. I want to know where they need more practice and I am NOT going to wait until mid-year or a PT conference to find out. Geeeez. Let's focus on what is important. Next.
Anonymous
Reading Rainbow was every Friday in K. Videos are more targeted in upper grades if at all. Like if studying about Columbus, they might watch a short video about him.
Anonymous
I noticed last year that DD's K teacher (fcps) was showing a video, or segments of one, throughout the day. It would come on when the lids were coming in and settling in, then again before lunch, then at dismissal. It was like it was her way to occupy the kids during transitions.

It totally annoyed me, because I feel like she was teaching the kids that they should be entertained during every down moment. Ugh.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I noticed last year that DD's K teacher (fcps) was showing a video, or segments of one, throughout the day. It would come on when the lids were coming in and settling in, then again before lunch, then at dismissal. It was like it was her way to occupy the kids during transitions.

It totally annoyed me, because I feel like she was teaching the kids that they should be entertained during every down moment. Ugh.



Well, when you expect their nanny or daycare to be doing this...
Anonymous
Huh? Nothing to do with the current topic or posters.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I noticed last year that DD's K teacher (fcps) was showing a video, or segments of one, throughout the day. It would come on when the lids were coming in and settling in, then again before lunch, then at dismissal. It was like it was her way to occupy the kids during transitions.

It totally annoyed me, because I feel like she was teaching the kids that they should be entertained during every down moment. Ugh.


That is truly the stupidest thing I have heard hands down. WTF? Has she ever heard of music? What a loser.
Anonymous
Yes. It turned out that she was not a great teacher in some other ways as well.

However, she is still teaching at our school.
Anonymous
Sigh. How often do teachers actually get fired? I'm sure it has to be something huge "NOT BEING A GOOD TEACHER" probably isn't enough!
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