DCI: Too much focus on tablets/devices?

[Anonymous]

I'm not a DCI booster, nowhere even close to it, but I have to very simply say "this is unavoidable". When I had an 3rd-5th grader, I would have sided with the "Ughs" on this thread. Now that I have a middle schooler, I've come to realize that there is no way around this. It's not shortsighted, we parents are. Better a school can embrace it and manage it. While this isn't going to be a panacea (just unavoidable), vilifying technology in the classroom flies in the face of teaching towards professional and college success, which is where I stand and am seeing the tides turn much faster than schools are keeping up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a DCI booster, nowhere even close to it, but I have to very simply say "this is unavoidable". When I had an 3rd-5th grader, I would have sided with the "Ughs" on this thread. Now that I have a middle schooler, I've come to realize that there is no way around this. It's not shortsighted, we parents are. Better a school can embrace it and manage it. While this isn't going to be a panacea (just unavoidable), vilifying technology in the classroom flies in the face of teaching towards professional and college success, which is where I stand and am seeing the tides turn much faster than schools are keeping up.

Who is vilifying technology in the classroom? Haven't heard anyone yet say they want zero technology...

[Anonymous]

Just checked the websites for both green acres and st andrew's. While they offer 1:1 I didn't get the impression that every class was taught with the IPAD but that classes used them to help with specific class projects. Might be worthwhile asking parents from either school for more details about their 1:1 approach.

[Anonymous]

Would also be great if more current DCI parents chimed in. Anyone? How is it for your student? What do you love? What are you concerned about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would also be great if more current DCI parents chimed in. Anyone? How is it for your student? What do you love? What are you concerned about?

But if an actual parent chimed in with actual experience that might stop the DCUM concern trolls. And they are very concerned!

[Anonymous]

Current DCI parent here.

As others have mentioned, the Chromebooks have allowed a "one stop shop" for managing course-related information and this is welcome. We are not looking to avoid technology at the school.

However, we have real concerns about the amount of time overall spent on a screen, the use of screens during the brunch/lunch periods and the use of computer games (unauthorized. obviously) during classes. We would appreciate the involvement of parents at feeder schools or other potential DCI parents to ask questions during the information sessions and engage in this issue so that the school can develop based on input. So far the administration seems to be studying the issue and examining the options, but there is not a clear route. I am relatively confident that this situation can be changed, but it will require effort.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP. Your answer gives me hope that change can occur! And, no, I am not a troll. Just a parent at a feeder who just learned some surprising news when I checked out the original thread about a DCI information session. But you are right about the concerned part!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would also be great if more current DCI parents chimed in. Anyone? How is it for your student? What do you love? What are you concerned about?

But if an actual parent chimed in with actual experience that might stop the DCUM concern trolls. And they are very concerned!

An actual parent has chimed in with concerns, and given details. Many have couched their concerns with "if this is true". It's hardly trolling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would also be great if more current DCI parents chimed in. Anyone? How is it for your student? What do you love? What are you concerned about?

But if an actual parent chimed in with actual experience that might stop the DCUM concern trolls. And they are very concerned!

An actual parent has chimed in with concerns, and given details. Many have couched their concerns with "if this is true". It's hardly trolling.

Make that 2 actual DCI parents, both concerned.

[Anonymous]

When I went to law school several years back, I would say 99% of the students used laptops to take notes. I was one of them. However, half of the 99% were online shopping, IM'ing, playing solitaire, and basically not paying attention. These were the same students who did not do so well come exam time. I happened to be disciplined enough to actually take notes using my laptop and generally avoided distractions. If law students cannot resist the urge for a measly hour to IM their friend sitting next to them during lecture, I doubt that middle school kids are disciplined enough to do so.

I have terrible handwriting and type much faster than I write. In certain classes, taking notes on the computer is way easier. I would also hazard a guess that people who take paper notes doodle, daydream, whisper tot heir friend, zone out, doodle, and don't pay attention, and if you want to be distracted, you'll find a way to be distracted.

[Anonymous]

This NYTimes article is very relevant to this discussion:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/science/whats-lost-as-handwriting-fades.html?ref=education&_r=0

This is one of many articles demonstrating the importance of writing when it comes to learning. I would be strongly opposed to any school that uses computers full time since I strongly believe in the value of paper and pencil time when it comes to education. That said I am not opposed at all to smart blended learning that was rigorous and encompassed a lot of paper and pencil time.

[Anonymous]

Here are some more articles that talk of the distraction caused by laptops in the classroom and the effect on learning:

http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/the-case-for-banning-laptops-in-the-classroom


http://www.educationnews.org/technology/study-laptops-in-the-classroom-can-distract-hinder-learning/


http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/08/14/laptops-in-classrooms_n_3756831.html


Frankly, I am appalled that these educators think that laptop use all the time is a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ But don't you see that they are on laptops at school anyway more and more throughout middle school and into high school? But just crappy shared devices that take really long to pass out to everyone. And unfair advantages to those who have good computers and internet at home.

It's how they are used that matters. I think you are thinking that the kids will be experiencing sort of an on-line learning experience while in the classroom. That's simply not the case at my daughter's middle school. The tablets were a tool but not the major factor in learning. And if the same chromebooks are used by the school with the same software and internet, then certain programs/applications/content can be filtered.

Have you hefted a bunch of textbooks lately? They are huge and weigh a ton. That's why people use kindles all the time; for convenience.

Why not observe another 1:1 device program before ruling it out.

Most of us over 30 hefted heavy backpacks middle school through college. We survived, and there is zero evidence the books have gotten heavier. That is not a concern of mine.

And no, I don't think DCI students are sitting in classrooms receiving instruction from a Skype - in teacher. Maybe this is both a point we can agree and disagree on: there's nothing wrong with every student being issued their own tablet (we both agree, yes?). I think it is wrong for that student to spend seven years with a tablet as the almost sole source of educational materials (aside from live instruction and experiments/field trips). I agree, and I assume you disagree?

Yes I agree. And I also think a constant program working with students on boundaries, thoughtful research, plagiarism, issues with social media, etc. would be necessary and useful. Students could sign contracts about appropriate use, etc.

In addition, here are two local private schools that have 1:1 device programs. Both have thoughtful blogs and articles about the use of the devices in the classroom.

http://www.saes.org/page/Academics/One-to-One-Laptop-Program (4th grade on up)

http://www.greenacres.org/page.cfm?p=793 (5th grade on up)

I'm not interested in those schools either. Are there any top schools (anywhere in the U.S.) that rely so heavily on technological devices (i.e., "paperless" schools). Or is this just a DCI experiment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a DCI booster, nowhere even close to it, but I have to very simply say "this is unavoidable". When I had an 3rd-5th grader, I would have sided with the "Ughs" on this thread. Now that I have a middle schooler, I've come to realize that there is no way around this. It's not shortsighted, we parents are. Better a school can embrace it and manage it. While this isn't going to be a panacea (just unavoidable), vilifying technology in the classroom flies in the face of teaching towards professional and college success, which is where I stand and am seeing the tides turn much faster than schools are keeping up.

Disagree disagree. I have high schooler and middle schooler. Overuse of technology in the classroom ( and at home ) is not UNavoidable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a DCI booster, nowhere even close to it, but I have to very simply say "this is unavoidable". When I had an 3rd-5th grader, I would have sided with the "Ughs" on this thread. Now that I have a middle schooler, I've come to realize that there is no way around this. It's not shortsighted, we parents are. Better a school can embrace it and manage it. While this isn't going to be a panacea (just unavoidable), vilifying technology in the classroom flies in the face of teaching towards professional and college success, which is where I stand and am seeing the tides turn much faster than schools are keeping up.

Disagree disagree. I have high schooler and middle schooler. Overuse of technology in the classroom ( and at home ) is not UNavoidable.

Indeed. a colleague of mine has a 17 year with a flip phone. She has all kinds of draconian screen time rules. Kis have been and are at a mix of public and private,. She says people are constantly amazed at how articulate her children are, amazed that they can hold conversations with adults. It's because they have a lot of practice, h aha! Her oldest just graduated from a SLAC, so the no tech rule hasn't marred his future, ha ha.

My kids will be able find friends with similar no/low tech in middle school and high school, so they won't be the total odd man out. There is a growing number of us out here (hence this thread)