DCI: Too much focus on tablets/devices?

[Anonymous]

Interesting article on front page of the post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/why-digital-natives-prefer-reading-in-print-yes-you-read-that-right/2015/02/22/8596ca86-b871-11e4-9423-f3d0a1ec335c_story.html?hpid=z8

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does playing online games help bridge the digital divide? DCI admin claims it does. I understand we need to bridge the divide by providing more kids with better access to information (although we often confuse information w/knowledge). But how does allowing multiplayer online games in school help? I'm concerned that DCI, in its quest to break the divide is just adding a layer of distraction. Thoughts?

My thought, as a school administrator, is that preventing middle schoolers from accessing their devices during lunch and recess is unrealistic. Schools that attempt to do so either end up enforcing the rules randomly, which opens them up complaints of unequal treatment. Or they have policies that are in writing but not enforced, which sends the message to the kids that school rules can be ignored. Whichever way they go, the amount of teacher and administrator time that is spent enforcing, or negotiating, or explaining the rules is enormous and cuts into other important parts of a school mission.

Given that, many many schools across the country are dropping policies that prohibit the use of devices during lunch and other breaks. Most administrators in schools that have dropped the policies will tell you that they did so with trepidation but ended up being pleasantly surprised.

Do I think that playing online games "helps bridge the digital divide"? No, but I do think it's the right choice.

If you do not want your preteen/teen playing online games at lunch or brunch tell them not to. If that works, then great you have no reason to complain about the rules. If it doesn't work, then ask yourself why you expect a school to enforce a rule on hundreds of kids, that you can't enforce with one.

I'm sorry but this sounds like one giant cop-out to me. You uphold standards on dress, language and behavior that keep your school an effective learning environment. It should be done with electronic devices as well. Mealtime/social time is device-free. That's what our kids should be learning at school and at home.

Call me old fashioned, but isn't it good to have some built in 'social face to face' time with friends? We're in a feeder school - we probably will go elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

^^ Ditto the PP calling that stance a cop-out, and ditto the next PP saying we'll be looking elsewhere. It's crushing, and we're hoping the school will alter its philosophy on and implementation of the tech devices, but definitely looking seriously at other options now, whereas before we were "One and Done" (feeder into DCI).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ Ditto the PP calling that stance a cop-out, and ditto the next PP saying we'll be looking elsewhere. It's crushing, and we're hoping the school will alter its philosophy on and implementation of the tech devices, but definitely looking seriously at other options now, whereas before we were "One and Done" (feeder into DCI).

We were too, so disappointing!

[Anonymous]

Have any prospective parents thought about getting together as a group to meet with DCI administration to discuss their concerns? I know that a meeting may not result in any changes, but it might be helpful for the administration to understand why previously enthusiatic parents are now considering other MS options.

[Anonymous]

My thought, as a school administrator, is that preventing middle schoolers from accessing their devices during lunch and recess is unrealistic. Schools that attempt to do so either end up enforcing the rules randomly, which opens them up complaints of unequal treatment. Or they have policies that are in writing but not enforced, which sends the message to the kids that school rules can be ignored. Whichever way they go, the amount of teacher and administrator time that is spent enforcing, or negotiating, or explaining the rules is enormous and cuts into other important parts of a school mission.

Sheesh I'm glad you're not the administrator at my DS middle school! They have it figured out quite well, and it appears easily done. They simply require all personal electronics in lockers during the school day and confiscate them if they are ever seen. I think retrieval requires parental inconvenience I'm sorry, but it's not rocket science. And it IS really important for chidden to have some imaginative space which is not formatted and controlled by scenarios and constructs devised by software developers!

[Anonymous]

God this thread is tedious. There are MANY MANY MANY opportunities for kids to socialize during brunch and lunch with clubs, talks and activities, or just hanging out--and at any time about 20% only are on devices. Admin has met ad nauseum with parents about this. Except for the same 6 parents on this thread, the families are very happy with DCI. Great principal, great teachers, and awesome students.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the update. Please share what the administration said. Lots of us are still at feeders and don't know what the school is saying. We would love to know. BTW if you find the subject tedious, you don't have to read. And given the number of responses to this thread, I am sure there are more than half a dozen families who have concerns!

[Anonymous]

No. Was at the technology meeting night and a focus group. It's a few very vocal malcontents....

[Anonymous]

Nice to hear current families are happy. Maybe it is just parents at feeder schools who have concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:God this thread is tedious. There are MANY MANY MANY opportunities for kids to socialize during brunch and lunch with clubs, talks and activities, or just hanging out--and at any time about 20% only are on devices. Admin has met ad nauseum with parents about this. Except for the same 6 parents on this thread, the families are very happy with DCI. Great principal, great teachers, and awesome students.

PP, you can try to marginalized the vocal parents but, 20% is still 40ish kids too many to be on devices during lunch ON TOP of the already hours they get during classroom hours and HW. Why so wedded to this? What is so terribly wrong with asking for screen free lunch?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:God this thread is tedious. There are MANY MANY MANY opportunities for kids to socialize during brunch and lunch with clubs, talks and activities, or just hanging out--and at any time about 20% only are on devices. Admin has met ad nauseum with parents about this. Except for the same 6 parents on this thread, the families are very happy with DCI. Great principal, great teachers, and awesome students.

It's an ongoing discussion for a reason. I've been to a DCI presentation, and frankly the presenters sounded like they wanted to shut down the "concerns about technology" questions the moment they started. Those of us on the outside do not know what conversations the school is having with current parents, but going on what some current parents say and how the admins responded at the session I was at, it's a concern that will be alive for a long time.

Hopefully there will be more clarity at this week's session.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:God this thread is tedious. There are MANY MANY MANY opportunities for kids to socialize during brunch and lunch with clubs, talks and activities, or just hanging out--and at any time about 20% only are on devices. Admin has met ad nauseum with parents about this. Except for the same 6 parents on this thread, the families are very happy with DCI. Great principal, great teachers, and awesome students.

As nauseum? Current parent here. There have been two meetings on Technology. First in Oct was a Show & Tell, the Jan session seemed better. The admin "heard" concerns. However no action taken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

My thought, as a school administrator, is that preventing middle schoolers from accessing their devices during lunch and recess is unrealistic. Schools that attempt to do so either end up enforcing the rules randomly, which opens them up complaints of unequal treatment. Or they have policies that are in writing but not enforced, which sends the message to the kids that school rules can be ignored. Whichever way they go, the amount of teacher and administrator time that is spent enforcing, or negotiating, or explaining the rules is enormous and cuts into other important parts of a school mission.

Sheesh I'm glad you're not the administrator at my DS middle school! They have it figured out quite well, and it appears easily done. They simply require all personal electronics in lockers during the school day and confiscate them if they are ever seen. I think retrieval requires parental inconvenience I'm sorry, but it's not rocket science. And it IS really important for chidden to have some imaginative space which is not formatted and controlled by scenarios and constructs devised by software developers!

Schools that have a "no cell phones, but only if we catch you" policy are basically teaching kids how to lie and hide things. Kids still use cell phones in schools that don't allow them to be out. They lock themselves in toilet stalls, and text under their desks, and spend long periods "looking for things" in their backpacks. When you allow cell phones they aren't using them substantially more, they're just using them more publicly, which makes it easier for the adults to monitor, and more likely that they'll be using them in a social context.

And sorry, but no kid is having "imaginative space" in the lunch room. They just aren't. If you want that for your kid then confiscate their cell phone at the door of your house, and cut back on the aftercare activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

My thought, as a school administrator, is that preventing middle schoolers from accessing their devices during lunch and recess is unrealistic. Schools that attempt to do so either end up enforcing the rules randomly, which opens them up complaints of unequal treatment. Or they have policies that are in writing but not enforced, which sends the message to the kids that school rules can be ignored. Whichever way they go, the amount of teacher and administrator time that is spent enforcing, or negotiating, or explaining the rules is enormous and cuts into other important parts of a school mission.

Sheesh I'm glad you're not the administrator at my DS middle school! They have it figured out quite well, and it appears easily done. They simply require all personal electronics in lockers during the school day and confiscate them if they are ever seen. I think retrieval requires parental inconvenience I'm sorry, but it's not rocket science. And it IS really important for chidden to have some imaginative space which is not formatted and controlled by scenarios and constructs devised by software developers!

Schools that have a "no cell phones, but only if we catch you" policy are basically teaching kids how to lie and hide things. Kids still use cell phones in schools that don't allow them to be out. They lock themselves in toilet stalls, and text under their desks, and spend long periods "looking for things" in their backpacks. When you allow cell phones they aren't using them substantially more, they're just using them more publicly, which makes it easier for the adults to monitor, and more likely that they'll be using them in a social context.

And sorry, but no kid is having "imaginative space" in the lunch room. They just aren't. If you want that for your kid then confiscate their cell phone at the door of your house, and cut back on the aftercare activities.

+1
This is all true.