FCPSOn is going to charge $50 a computer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a problem with it at all.

FCPSOn is a wonderful program, but it can be expensive to maintain. I've taught in a CHS-pyramid school for three years, the entire time FCPSOn has been in practice, and I am grateful for the blended learning the program affords. I see tremendous benefit from expanding the program, and I would gladly pay the $50 fee if my kid were in an FCPSOn school.

Article VIII of the Virginia Constitution guarantees children the right to a free primary and secondary education. If a laptop is required for all students in all classes, they should be provided without additional fees. The $50 technology fee is like charging students a building use fee.

Secondly, I am not impressed by the technology/computers FCPS has purchased in the past. I’d prefer to invest that $50 a year on a product of my choosing. Anyone know which company won the FCPS computer contract?

Will FCPS provide cases for their laptops? Are students liable if their laptops break, get lost or stolen? How does FCPS plan to protect their investment? I predict there will be increased theft and vandalism in certain schools.

Computers are a mix of one model of Dell and one model of HPs in my school.

Each issued laptop comes with a soft case - think neoprene like material.

FCPS has insurance on the computers for breakage / loss that cannot be fixed in building I believe. Typically what students lose are the chargers, which is a $30 replacement fee.

In my experience with 100+ kids a year, the loss and breakage amount in FCPS is about 1-2 kid per year, so ~1%. This is in a 50+% FARMS school

[Anonymous]

This is how the government will spy on your family. Hot mics, gps and search history daily.

[Anonymous]

I would say, if you have a strong feeling one way or the other contact your school board member, high school, and gatehouse. They won't know what we think unless we tell them.

[Anonymous]

This is from my district in MD. Thought it was interesting:


https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/k-12/bs-md-co-laptop-changes-20190517-story.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is from my district in MD. Thought it was interesting:


https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/k-12/bs-md-co-laptop-changes-20190517-story.html

Thanks for posting this. I suspect this will be the same in FCPS. And, the problem with this program is that no one is talking about the cost or the unintended consequences.

Obviously, kids who do not have computers in the home need some assistance to have one. But, does every kid need one? No. Especially, in elementary school, the kids need to learn so many skills that do not include screens. Have you watched the little kids? Toddlers with their mom's phones? Scary.

Watch in the grocery store. If mom has a kid, half the time she is looking at her phone--or giving it to the kid to keep him quiet. It's the new babysitter.

There is a middle ground somewhere. But, giving every kid a computer may not be the answer. On the other hand, I would imagine that classroom management is much easier. But, is that what we, as a society, need? Kids who don't need human interaction?

And, what are the financial costs? We don't hear much about that. For the teacher that posted that out of 100 kids, there were only problems with loss or breakage with one or two? Not sure i buy that.

[Anonymous]

My kid carried a school issued computer to/from school every day. It was better to have a school rental than an expensive laptop at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is from my district in MD. Thought it was interesting:


https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/k-12/bs-md-co-laptop-changes-20190517-story.html

Thanks for posting this. I suspect this will be the same in FCPS. And, the problem with this program is that no one is talking about the cost or the unintended consequences.

Obviously, kids who do not have computers in the home need some assistance to have one. But, does every kid need one? No. Especially, in elementary school, the kids need to learn so many skills that do not include screens. Have you watched the little kids? Toddlers with their mom's phones? Scary.

Watch in the grocery store. If mom has a kid, half the time she is looking at her phone--or giving it to the kid to keep him quiet. It's the new babysitter.

There is a middle ground somewhere. But, giving every kid a computer may not be the answer. On the other hand, I would imagine that classroom management is much easier. But, is that what we, as a society, need? Kids who don't need human interaction?

And, what are the financial costs? We don't hear much about that. For the teacher that posted that out of 100 kids, there were only problems with loss or breakage with one or two? Not sure i buy that.

It's ok if you don't buy it.

1-2/100 is the rate for high school. I would suspect higher for lower grades. Remember how all these posters are complaining they are a heavy and bulky addition to bookbags? They don't break that easily due to the build. The ones that are damaged (but fully functional) that I've seen from my students is mostly cosmetic - a rubber gasket that surrounds the usb and other ports get pulled away from the computer chassis. I see another 2-3 with this problem. Maybe I just teach the good FARMs kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the OP and the "old fuddy duddy" thing is exactly why I posted this here. Maybe I am overreacting and just beyond annoyed because I am old fashioned. That's why I wondered if other people agree with me or if I'm way off base is this is life in 2019 so I'd better just get over it.

The Child's Screen Time Action Network in their Resource Library have a whole bunch of excellent links, videos, talks, and more that might help you as you wrestle with whether or not to get over it. I'm fine being an old fuddy duddy too.

I also find the privacy aspect of all of this worrisome, like another PP. Just look at some of the ways student data might already be being tracked.

[Anonymous]

We are in APS. My child’s grade 6 English class is taught entirely on an iPad, it seems. DC reports no lectures/live lessons or discussions - just access materials online, fill out exercise online, repeat. This is consistent with what I can see in Canvas, google classroom, etc. There is some one-on-one conferencing, DC reports. We supplement a lot at home. Encourage FCPS to develop appropriate use guidelines for teachers and deploy mandatory training re same, or you may suffer a similar fate.

[Anonymous]

LCPS has been rolling out something similar for a few years. Students in third grade and up are issued Chromebooks to carry back and forth between school and home.

School devices are monitored and administration receives constant reports as things are flagged.

http://blogs.lcps.org/studenttech/for-parents/

[Anonymous]

I will opt-out and will not pay the $50. I applaud FCPS for rolling this out for those who need this but they should also not impose a fee on those who do not participate.
It doesn't matter what the amount is - my grandmother used to say: $50 not in my pocket is $50 in someone else's pocket

[Anonymous]

I’d pay $1000 but I don’t want this initiative. It’s not what they think.

[Anonymous]

Same thing started in Falls Church City Schools four or five years ago. I don't know how it's going but I do know that kids are not very careful with the laptops. It's in the backpack, throw the backpack on the floor, or hit somebody with it, or spill stuff in it.

They did not charge students although there was a $25 fee if laptop was lost, stolen or broken. Like a deductible on their insurance. Seems awfully cheap for a "lost" laptop.

If you know anybody from FCC ask them how it went, I have only this peripheral info about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will opt-out and will not pay the $50. I applaud FCPS for rolling this out for those who need this but they should also not impose a fee on those who do not participate.
It doesn't matter what the amount is - my grandmother used to say: $50 not in my pocket is $50 in someone else's pocket

I agree. So we don't have to pay the $50 if we opt out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is from my district in MD. Thought it was interesting:


https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/k-12/bs-md-co-laptop-changes-20190517-story.html

Thanks for posting this. I suspect this will be the same in FCPS. And, the problem with this program is that no one is talking about the cost or the unintended consequences.

Obviously, kids who do not have computers in the home need some assistance to have one. But, does every kid need one? No. Especially, in elementary school, the kids need to learn so many skills that do not include screens. Have you watched the little kids? Toddlers with their mom's phones? Scary.

Watch in the grocery store. If mom has a kid, half the time she is looking at her phone--or giving it to the kid to keep him quiet. It's the new babysitter.

There is a middle ground somewhere. But, giving every kid a computer may not be the answer. On the other hand, I would imagine that classroom management is much easier. But, is that what we, as a society, need? Kids who don't need human interaction?

And, what are the financial costs? We don't hear much about that. For the teacher that posted that out of 100 kids, there were only problems with loss or breakage with one or two? Not sure i buy that.

I think its a good plan for middle and high school kids whose parents cannot afford one or not willing to buy one but many of us have no issue supplying them. I do have an issue with overuse and limited teaching, which is our experience in MCSP. Our kids have one per student in elementary school and it seems like a huge waste of money. 2-3 classrooms can easily share one set. The kids rush through their work because they are rewarded with online games. My child talks about constantly being on them but when I look at the MCPS account I see very little work being done. There needs to be a balance and they should not replace textbooks.