DCI: Too much focus on tablets/devices?

[Anonymous]

I think submitted but it would be hard to ask a kid to spend time redoing homework. Wish there were an option (maybe there is-can current parents answer this question?

We limit screen time but kids enjoy playing games and watching some T.V. If kids went to DCI I would worry about adding more screen time, which doesn't seem right.

12:11 poster, we are now considering Latin or Basis. A bit off topic, but how does your DC like Basis

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At the open house I attended, administration said all homework assignments needed to be done on the computer through google classroom.

Done on the computer, or submitted on the computer?

Is that a meaningful distinction unless you are scanning handwritten work?

[Anonymous]

Let me provide some clarification, I am a current DCI parent of a 7th grader studying Mandarin.

There seem to be some misconceptions about how the chromebooks are used especially for homework. It may be that the administration is not doing a good job of painting an accurate picture.

I think there is a perception that all assignment are "completed" on computer. That is not true. There are many daily assignments that are done with paper and pencil. They simply used the chromebooks to get their assignments and let there teachers know that it has been completed (ie. do pages 187 and 189 in your workbooks, or read etc.._). Once they have completed the assignments, they simply click the done/submit buttons.

On some days my son has paper math handouts/packets to complete and others days he does a computer program (he usually needs paper and pencil to complete). His Math teacher assured me that most there is minimal use of the chromebooks in class. A large portion of classroom time is dedicated to working through problems on the whiteboard and on paper. The IB curriculum includes working through the problems (showing your work) and having the ability to get verbal (written) explanation of your thought process.

Most days his Mandarin work is done in his handbooks. He has Geography in Mandarin which also normally uses a workbook.

On any given day, my son spends twice to amount of time doing traditional paper assignments than his does on computer assignments.

His English work is normally done on his chromebook but I stated in previous post, I just get the book the library.

I would say that notes are usually taken using the chromebooks and submitted to the teachers. My son does have notebooks and binders that he has used to take notes and for other school assignments.

I just made my son clean out his binder and book bag which was stuffed full of paper assignments. (Still working or organization!)

Maybe some teachers in the school are using the chromebooks more than others.

Just to reiterate not all assignment are "completed" using the assigned chromebooks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a current DCI parent of the 7th grader. While they have only been two (2) technology meetings, this topic is always brought up at the parent workshops. This issue is a work in progress. I understand that 40 something students out of 206 is not a huge number but the administration is working to get all students involved in some social activities during brunch and lunch. They are working to engaged those students. Each quarter they add more activities during that time period based on student interest. They physically walk around and talk to students to see how they can get them engaged and/or send then to an activity.

During lunch they have a multitude of clubs and study halls that meet on any given day. I have listed a few below. My son does Math study hall, cooking, chess, and outdoor activities (when the weather permits). Some clubs meet more than once per week.

Tips to the Library Trip
Student Government
Dog walking
Outside Athletics
Costume Design Club
Language Clubs (Spanish, French, and Chinese)
Chess
Cooking Club
Math Club/Olympiad
Geography Club
Guys Read
Book Club

As I think back to middle school and high school, there was always a small number of students who were not particularly engaged or very social.

As a parent I am very pleased with progression that my son has made concerning his use of technology. He was one the students who loved to be his chromebook when he first received it. Now he doesn't even touch it unless he's doing his homework. Additionally. we go to the library and check out whatever book they are reading in English class so they he can read the hard copy.

This is his first year having his own phone (smartphone). The administration took his phone twice during the first two (2) months of school. Now he barely touches it during the school day. He has used it take pictures on occasion but generally keeps it in his book bag. At home we have electronic daily breaks (no computers/cell phone time). Upon arriving home he completes his homework and his phone is usually on the charger in the kitchen by 7pm.

Some parents may not agree with DCI's integrated technology approach and what they consider to be a heavy use of technology but I am learning to find the balance. I believe that DCI working to find what they consider to be a comfortable level.

Overall, I am greatly pleased with the DCI curriculum and staff. I look forward to seeing what the coming years will bring.

Thank you, these details are very helpful to know. Much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19:09. I think technology in the classroom can be a great tool and I hope that whatever school DC goes to, technology will be used. Just find it hard to believe that computer use in every class is a good or appropriate. As with most things, moderation is good, especially when there is no evidence suggesting clear benefits to computer use and some evidence suggesting possible negative outcomes.

ITA - this is what gets me the most. The more studies that are done, the more the indications are that exposure to a lot of screen time is overall a negative, and I've yet to read overall positives beyond the cool variety of ways that information can be presented and the speed of access (which are real positives). But even the effects of longterm viewing screens on eyes (both child eyes and adult eyes) is under review and early indications are not positive.

Moderation is the key here. I hope DCI will find a way to moderate/balance the tech with low-tech and no-tech.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the detailed response 13:38. I am happy to hear the kids don't have all their homework assignments on the computer. I wish this was made clearer during the information sessions.

If the kids aren't using the computer all the time, why doesn't the administration offer 1-2 classes which are done off line in addition to having a screen free lunch period. Small changes like this would do a lot to alleviate the concerns some parents have. During the open house, the administration keeps touting the benefits of the chromebooks and google classroom.

[Anonymous]

There are classes that are offline like Gym, Drama, and Art is mostly offline. The art teacher uses a projector to display artwork.

The previous poster was correct. All things in moderation.

I grew-up in a house with TV's in every room including my bedroom. I went to sleep with TV on and woke up with it on. I am successful college graduate who is a productive citizen. That being said all parents have to decide what they believe is best for their child.

I have one TV in my house and it is located in the family room. My son has at most two (2) hours of TV time during the school week. May be fifteen (15) some mornings when I'm listening to weather and traffic. He gets to play video games 2 hours a day over the weekend among our many other activities. Some may call me strict but like I stated [all parents have to decide what they believe is best for their child].

Does your child have a cell phone? You would not need to worry that your child is on their phone during brunch/lunch, if they didn't have one. Remember researchers say that the radiation that cell phones emit are harmful to our children.

I hope these aren't that same researchers who tell me every other decade that meat, eggs, and milk are bad, then they say that "new research" refutes that claim.

I'm not trying to be sarcastic. I understand the concern. I just wish a more accurate picture of DCI were being portrayed. It is the responsibility of the administration and current parents to ensure that you have all the information needed to make an informed decision.

In the end, I understand that DCI will not be a good fit for every family. I would just hate for a family to pass this school over based on incorrect information. My son loves DCI and I am pleased with what I have seen thus far.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. At open house, administration said chromebooks were used in every class except P.E, though kids were only on the computer about 50% of the day, not including time needed for homework. I was wondering how the computer would be used in art class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the detailed response 13:38. I am happy to hear the kids don't have all their homework assignments on the computer. I wish this was made clearer during the information sessions.

If the kids aren't using the computer all the time, why doesn't the administration offer 1-2 classes which are done off line in addition to having a screen free lunch period. Small changes like this would do a lot to alleviate the concerns some parents have. During the open house, the administration keeps touting the benefits of the chromebooks and google classroom.

Because if the goal is 50/50 computer use, it makes much more sense to use the chromebooks at the points when they make sense in every class, and then to turn them off when they don't make sense, then it does to restrict them completely from some classes and require them in others.

Even if an art teacher only turns it on once a week to quickly show some slides, why shouldn't he/she have that ability to do so?

[Anonymous]

Not saying the art teacher shouldn't have the right to use the computer to show pieces of artwork, etc. which would be a good use. But that isn't what was conveyed at the open house, leaving me to wonder. Are kids suppose to create projects on the chromebook? Is art class more like the design class, which is very dependent on the computer. None of this has been explained well to parents at feeder schools.

I am not sure how a chromebook makes sense in an English Lit class which usually includes reading from a book and engaging in class discussions, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not saying the art teacher shouldn't have the right to use the computer to show pieces of artwork, etc. which would be a good use. But that isn't what was conveyed at the open house, leaving me to wonder. Are kids suppose to create projects on the chromebook? Is art class more like the design class, which is very dependent on the computer. None of this has been explained well to parents at feeder schools.

I am not sure how a chromebook makes sense in an English Lit class which usually includes reading from a book and engaging in class discussions, etc.

I read the open house comment as "Student use chromebooks in every class." Not "Students use chromebooks every minute in every class." In fact, I think they pretty clearly stated the opposite, that students aren't using their chromebooks all the time, and that the chromebook use adds up to about 50% of class time, averaged across all classes. But I wasn't there. Could someone who was actually there comment?

I would imagine that the students use their chromebooks in English class to write papers. After all, writing is usually a major part of the English curriculum in middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think submitted but it would be hard to ask a kid to spend time redoing homework. Wish there were an option (maybe there is-can current parents answer this question?

We limit screen time but kids enjoy playing games and watching some T.V. If kids went to DCI I would worry about adding more screen time, which doesn't seem right.

12:11 poster, we are now considering Latin or Basis. A bit off topic, but how does your DC like Basis

kid LOVES Basis, and ironically on topic because for the LEAP (their version of G&T) science program that starts in 8th grade in DC they are doing a pilot program involving .... Chromebooks. This is Chemistry, and I don't know how it works but kid is happy.

Basis is hard. Anyone who tells you different is fudging a bit. And while it is tough to see 5th graders have to work so hard, that is the best (and basically only save 6th) point of entry. Kids who are jocks, and kids who are not good at math and science or hate it even if they are good I don't think are as happy there as the STEM kids.

However, if you have a STEM kid, even in 5th it is paradise. Husband is math/science guy so while initially I was not comfortable with the math acceleration, kid is and word is getting out. When kid started only 8 kids in first LEAP math program, 4 in 6th and 4 from upper grades, this year almost half a section in 5th grade is in Algebra I, so they set the tone for that section. Best advice is to prepare your kid to do Algebra I in 5th - using Khan academy or yourself or your husband, so that kid is in math LEAP program. Does usually result in the top kids taking AP Calculus AB in 8th grade, but our kid is fine with it and doing very well in the class.

And LEAP science which starts in 8th is an entire section, so they will be together for AP Chem in 9th despite the different math levels, but that will be their 4th year of Chemistry - starting in 6th, all kids take Chem, Bio, and Physics through 8th grade.

Liberal arts - kid happy with language class, most of the history classes have been good, we have felt the need to supplement in English to be honest, start up was rocky but school getting better every year. Advantage of being a chain is there is a Basis wide portion of the pre-comprehensive and comprehensive exams, so we can measure ourselves against the other Basis schools, which is better than measuring ourselves against schools here in DC. Also leads to teachers getting fired fairly quickly - although they are not so good at mitigating the damage of a year of bad teaching while it is going on, it is getting better.

Kid is also taking Economics with one of the rock star teachers - lobbyist here in DC for 27 years, working for free, has Saturday study sessions with free bagels.... Quite a few fantastic teachers, some incredible students, but the rigor is real, starts early, and your kid has to be responsible enough in 5th to start to handle most of it himself - very hard to helicopter parent at this school, they instill and teach responsibility early which I admire, kid just has to be up for it.

We are delighted with Basis, even the Chromebooks for the LEAP science kids in 8th grade. Never would have thought I would be able to say that about a public school in Washington DC, ever, but kid has strong group of fairly geeky friends who support each other and are diverse ethnically and economically and being 2nd as a MS on the DC CAS in our 2nd year (first year Washington Latin beat us, last year roles reversed, Deal still number 1 but too large) and the opportunity for advancing in math and science if kid can keep the pace is not available anywhere else I know of. Plenty of kids in lower math classes are also happy there too.

[Anonymous]

and BASIS took over another thread!

[Anonymous]

16:39, this is what I heard at the info session. According to thir time studies Chromebooks are open about 50 percent of the school day.

They said they were experimenting with real books and e readers in some English classes but right now they are mostly using the Kindle app. I presume cost is a factor. Once you give all the kids Chromebooks I bought a first year charter school has much money left for real textbook or other book purposes,

[Anonymous]

okay troll brigade,
can you finally let this rest? either pull out, don't attend, or storm the ramparts, but would you let this thread die? each time it goes off the main page you keep bringing it back. I love DCI, my child loves it, and a lot of us in the school community are really sick of the bashing and negativity.