DCI: Too much focus on tablets/devices?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Turned off and put away? Or just not actively using? If the computers are turned off and put away then I would feel much better. Not actively using but still out and on the desk or using for 15 minutes and then not engaging for 15 minutes wouldn't make me feel better because the computer is there acting as a distraction and not a significant chunk of screen free time.

Current parents, I would love to hear how 50% works in the classroom? I would love to feel that the administration is using a thoughtful approach but I didn't get that impression at the open house i attended.

Do they need to be turned off and put away, or just shut?

I'm the PP at the school with the ipads and the ipads are on the desk pretty much all of class, unless it's PE or art, or something where they're up and moving, But there's plenty of time when the kids are directed to shut (if they're in a case) or turn over (if they aren't) their ipads so they can't see or touch the screen. The ipads are still there on the desk, but they aren't a significant distraction. I would assume that an chrome book that is shut would be similar.

[Anonymous]

Thanks 9:36 for the great summary. I really aggreed with what you had to say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a current DCI parent who attends the technology meeting and is a part of the newly formed Parent/Teacher Group.

I know they are averaging about 50% of the school day on the computer that obviously means that some classes are using more technology than others (no Chromebook in gym)

My question is what is an acceptable amount of technology/
Chromebook usage for the parents and potential parents? What would be considered a good balance?

Is the main concern the usage of Chromebooks outside of class or within class?

I am a DCI feeder parent and I am glad to hear there is a newly formed Parent/Teacher Group and that you have joined it. I want to place a few cautions on using this forum as your guide for the appropriate usage of technology and then taking that back to school decisions. I am not concerned about the level of technology use and therefore have not been a part of this discussion, until now. I know other DCI feeder families that feel the same as me, are following this thread, but don't see the need to respond. We are comfortable with the use of technology at DCI and have expressed our opinions about that in other settings, where our feedback really makes a difference. Secondly, you should be very careful when considering the feedback of any posters here who don't have a child en route to DCI at some point. This is an appropriate venue to express your concern about technology use at school, but not to influence the decision-making of the school.

DP, I can understand your concern and caution about DCUM postings as a source of opinions that might actually influence decisions. But there are a lot if feeder parents on here and maybe the opinions shared here can be the basis for a more structured, in person forum on this topic for both current parents and feeder parents? A few feeder parents have said that when they raised this at DCI info sessions, they felt shut down. It's great that the question is being asked, and I hope whatever happens in this discussion, there is a more official way to discuss it with the school leaders directly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a current DCI parent who attends the technology meeting and is a part of the newly formed Parent/Teacher Group.

I know they are averaging about 50% of the school day on the computer that obviously means that some classes are using more technology than others (no Chromebook in gym)

My question is what is an acceptable amount of technology/
Chromebook usage for the parents and potential parents? What would be considered a good balance?

Is the main concern the usage of Chromebooks outside of class or within class?

I am a DCI feeder parent and I am glad to hear there is a newly formed Parent/Teacher Group and that you have joined it. I want to place a few cautions on using this forum as your guide for the appropriate usage of technology and then taking that back to school decisions. I am not concerned about the level of technology use and therefore have not been a part of this discussion, until now. I know other DCI feeder families that feel the same as me, are following this thread, but don't see the need to respond. We are comfortable with the use of technology at DCI and have expressed our opinions about that in other settings, where our feedback really makes a difference. Secondly, you should be very careful when considering the feedback of any posters here who don't have a child en route to DCI at some point. This is an appropriate venue to express your concern about technology use at school, but not to influence the decision-making of the school.

As a DCI feeder parent, you definitely do not speak for us all. More importantly, you do not speak for DCI parents who have kids in the fourth and fifth grades. The information session was receptive to parents like you that felt comfortable with the use of technology. However, when a different opinion was posed, administration was quick to shut it down and change the subject. I plan to attend a follow-up information session to see if there is a difference between what they are saying now opposed to what they said in Fall 2014.

For the current DCI parent, thank you for posting your question. As a parent with a kid in the older grades and waitlisted at a more established charter, I am glad that the DCI administration is beginning to listen to parents' concerns about the overuse of technology. I have spoken to a couple of parents at DCI who still have children in our feeder school. I have been told that the school has actually attempted a cut-back on the technology usage and closed some programs. They are also looking into what, if anything else, they can do to limit the technology without corrupting their mission. As someone whose kid may not make it off the other charter's waitlist, I look forward to the positive changes. I thank you and all the pioneer families for allowing your children to be the trailblazers in unknown territory.

[Anonymous]

except the "feeder" parents on here do not express this at their feeder schools or at appropriate feeder forums, so it does make one wonder if the ones who keep this thread alive (and as soon as it goes off page 1 bring it back every week really are at feeders or if they are just trolls. The heads of all feeder schools are on the DCI board and they are not hearing this at their schools.
we all know there is much jealousy and crab in a bucket mentality out there in dcum land, so one could assume that these are folks who are angry that dci exists (just like the basis/latin/cc haters) or that they are trolls who don't know what is going on at dci so they're just making things up/going on hearsay and then spreading misinformation and lies.
we are from a feeder and feel very blessed to be at dci. the technology is an asset and we do not feel that there is too much screen time---in fact we feel that the technology has given our children (we have 2 pioneers) much more than they would have gotten at their assigned middle school, in addition to the great teachers. admittedly, the space is not great, but it will be in the future and it is certainly worth the trade off.
i keep wondering why no one starts a general tech-in-school thread since there are other schools like Haynes who do 1:1. is the lack of complaints about Haynes indicative that this is perhaps only a yuppy parent thing, or is it more insidious in that a small group of trolls are really invested in hurting dci with 37 pages of attacks? kaya, is that you? worried about roosevelt since dci wouldn't play ball with you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:except the "feeder" parents on here do not express this at their feeder schools or at appropriate feeder forums, so it does make one wonder if the ones who keep this thread alive (and as soon as it goes off page 1 bring it back every week really are at feeders or if they are just trolls. The heads of all feeder schools are on the DCI board and they are not hearing this at their schools.
we all know there is much jealousy and crab in a bucket mentality out there in dcum land, so one could assume that these are folks who are angry that dci exists (just like the basis/latin/cc haters) or that they are trolls who don't know what is going on at dci so they're just making things up/going on hearsay and then spreading misinformation and lies.
we are from a feeder and feel very blessed to be at dci. the technology is an asset and we do not feel that there is too much screen time---in fact we feel that the technology has given our children (we have 2 pioneers) much more than they would have gotten at their assigned middle school, in addition to the great teachers. admittedly, the space is not great, but it will be in the future and it is certainly worth the trade off.
i keep wondering why no one starts a general tech-in-school thread since there are other schools like Haynes who do 1:1. is the lack of complaints about Haynes indicative that this is perhaps only a yuppy parent thing, or is it more insidious in that a small group of trolls are really invested in hurting dci with 37 pages of attacks? kaya, is that you? worried about roosevelt since dci wouldn't play ball with you?

With all due respect: 1) There are multiple posts of feeder parents who have expressed their concerns at DCI info sessions. Maybe you missed those posts, but be clear that you are wrong that these issues are not brought up. We are not trolls. 2) Most of these posts on DCI and technology have stayed respectful, contrary to many DCUM conversations. That's fine that you're happy, but don't trash other sincere opinions as trolls or crabs just because you disagree. 3) People start threads about what they care about. Clearly many care about technology use at DCI. If you or others care about it in general or at Haynes, go for it, start a thread. The lack of those threads isn't the concern of those of us focused on DCI and hardly makes it a less legitimate conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:except the "feeder" parents on here do not express this at their feeder schools or at appropriate feeder forums, so it does make one wonder if the ones who keep this thread alive (and as soon as it goes off page 1 bring it back every week really are at feeders or if they are just trolls. The heads of all feeder schools are on the DCI board and they are not hearing this at their schools.
we all know there is much jealousy and crab in a bucket mentality out there in dcum land, so one could assume that these are folks who are angry that dci exists (just like the basis/latin/cc haters) or that they are trolls who don't know what is going on at dci so they're just making things up/going on hearsay and then spreading misinformation and lies.
we are from a feeder and feel very blessed to be at dci. the technology is an asset and we do not feel that there is too much screen time---in fact we feel that the technology has given our children (we have 2 pioneers) much more than they would have gotten at their assigned middle school, in addition to the great teachers. admittedly, the space is not great, but it will be in the future and it is certainly worth the trade off.
i keep wondering why no one starts a general tech-in-school thread since there are other schools like Haynes who do 1:1. is the lack of complaints about Haynes indicative that this is perhaps only a yuppy parent thing, or is it more insidious in that a small group of trolls are really invested in hurting dci with 37 pages of attacks? kaya, is that you? worried about roosevelt since dci wouldn't play ball with you?

Feeder & current parent here. It's great to hear you are happy at DCI. We too are thrilled with many things: teachers, curriculum and community. I also agree the issue is a lot about general Technology use in schools.

However, we have concerns regarding the DCI school environment, that screens/devices/phones are so prevalent. Kids should have a break - my DS does not have a phone but all her friends do and they are on them at ALL break times. I have raised my concerns with my feeder school's admin who is also on DCI board. I was told that she had nothing to do with DCI policies and recommended I speak w/ DCI directly.

FYI: From what I understand Haynes does not have 1:1 anymore for MS or if they do the laptops (they did away with Chromebooks) stay in the classrooms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:except the "feeder" parents on here do not express this at their feeder schools or at appropriate feeder forums, so it does make one wonder if the ones who keep this thread alive (and as soon as it goes off page 1 bring it back every week really are at feeders or if they are just trolls. The heads of all feeder schools are on the DCI board and they are not hearing this at their schools.
we all know there is much jealousy and crab in a bucket mentality out there in dcum land, so one could assume that these are folks who are angry that dci exists (just like the basis/latin/cc haters) or that they are trolls who don't know what is going on at dci so they're just making things up/going on hearsay and then spreading misinformation and lies.
we are from a feeder and feel very blessed to be at dci. the technology is an asset and we do not feel that there is too much screen time---in fact we feel that the technology has given our children (we have 2 pioneers) much more than they would have gotten at their assigned middle school, in addition to the great teachers. admittedly, the space is not great, but it will be in the future and it is certainly worth the trade off.
i keep wondering why no one starts a general tech-in-school thread since there are other schools like Haynes who do 1:1. is the lack of complaints about Haynes indicative that this is perhaps only a yuppy parent thing, or is it more insidious in that a small group of trolls are really invested in hurting dci with 37 pages of attacks? kaya, is that you? worried about roosevelt since dci wouldn't play ball with you?

Feeder & current parent here. It's great to hear you are happy at DCI. We too are thrilled with many things: teachers, curriculum and community. I also agree the issue is a lot about general Technology use in schools.

However, we have concerns regarding the DCI school environment, that screens/devices/phones are so prevalent. Kids should have a break - my DS does not have a phone but all her friends do and they are on them at ALL break times. I have raised my concerns with my feeder school's admin who is also on DCI board. I was told that she had nothing to do with DCI policies and recommended I speak w/ DCI directly.

FYI: From what I understand Haynes does not have 1:1 anymore for MS or if they do the laptops (they did away with Chromebooks) stay in the classrooms.

+1

[Anonymous]

There is only one break and one lunch time for phone use. phones are not allowed during between class transition times.

[Anonymous]

Right, so kids are using phones during breaks. Transition time between classes sounds like it is not a break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:except the "feeder" parents on here do not express this at their feeder schools or at appropriate feeder forums, so it does make one wonder if the ones who keep this thread alive (and as soon as it goes off page 1 bring it back every week really are at feeders or if they are just trolls. The heads of all feeder schools are on the DCI board and they are not hearing this at their schools.
we all know there is much jealousy and crab in a bucket mentality out there in dcum land, so one could assume that these are folks who are angry that dci exists (just like the basis/latin/cc haters) or that they are trolls who don't know what is going on at dci so they're just making things up/going on hearsay and then spreading misinformation and lies.
we are from a feeder and feel very blessed to be at dci. the technology is an asset and we do not feel that there is too much screen time---in fact we feel that the technology has given our children (we have 2 pioneers) much more than they would have gotten at their assigned middle school, in addition to the great teachers. admittedly, the space is not great, but it will be in the future and it is certainly worth the trade off.
i keep wondering why no one starts a general tech-in-school thread since there are other schools like Haynes who do 1:1. is the lack of complaints about Haynes indicative that this is perhaps only a yuppy parent thing, or is it more insidious in that a small group of trolls are really invested in hurting dci with 37 pages of attacks? kaya, is that you? worried about roosevelt since dci wouldn't play ball with you?

I am 11:44. You must be a parent that started out at my kid's current DCI feeder school. Every single time a parent posted a concern on the school listserve, we always had one of you who tried to start the conversation by calling parents names. Our listserve has basically turned into an informercial for lost and found; is school in today; or, camp availability. Nothing substantial is posted because people got tired of people like you making excuses and calling names. Now you come on here and pull the same tactics because people have questions and concerns. Bravo!

[Anonymous]

I don't know if that person is from your school PP, but every school has those sorts (although not all schools have a forum for them to act like that on). In my experience the best thing you can do is exactly what you did do - call them out for being obnoxious and counter-productive, and then continue with the substantive conversation. It's frustrating that some people really can't understand that disagreeing with someone doesn't make them crazy or fake or a troll. It just makes them someone you disagree with, and calling names or attacking them does not help the attacker make their point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is only one break and one lunch time for phone use. phones are not allowed during between class transition times.

Let me restate: Kid whip out devices at Brunch and Lunch. I can't believe a school would allow screens at mealtime. Not appropriate, hinders social skills.

[Anonymous]

New poster: So don't go? Seriously. Just wondering. I don't know why you'd want to go if you so vehemently disagree with a school's policy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New poster: So don't go? Seriously. Just wondering. I don't know why you'd want to go if you so vehemently disagree with a school's policy?

you do know there aren't a lot of good choices for middle school right? It's not easy to just go somewhere other than your IB school (undoable for many) or your feeder school. you do know this right? This is why families in the feeder schools for DCI are so concerned. It is DCI or a failing middle school (unless they are super lucky and get into latin). They vehemently disagree with the DCI tech policy but have no other viable options for their kid beyond uprooting their family for the suburbs or home schooling. you do know this right?