DCI: Too much focus on tablets/devices?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

All of those articles are about the distractions that laptops cause in university classrooms when students are engaged in instruction that doesn't involve the laptops.

An entirely different situation from middle schoolers who are using devices for adult directed activities under the supervision of an adult. I work in a school with 1:1 devices. Students use them when appropriate. They are given clear directions on how to use it, and adults monitor what they're doing. Are there times when kids get off task? Yes, just like our generation did when we made paper footballs and "kicked' them at our peers, or passed notes, or drew lewd pictures in the margins of our books. But teachers are moving around, and monitoring. In addition, kids have assignments that have to be turned it so they have an incentive to stay on task. At other times, teachers direct students to turn their devices off, so they can do other things. Like conduct science labs, and create art, and listen to their classmates giving presentations.

[Anonymous]

Does the school you are in have filters and are the kids allowed to bring in phones, etc or just the school computer? Is DCI policy to let the kids use devices during breaks typical in other 1:1 schools. Also, what percentage of classes use the computer? Just trying to get an appreciation for how DCI's approach compares with the other schools using 1:1. THnks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does the school you are in have filters and are the kids allowed to bring in phones, etc or just the school computer? Is DCI policy to let the kids use devices during breaks typical in other 1:1 schools. Also, what percentage of classes use the computer? Just trying to get an appreciation for how DCI's approach compares with the other schools using 1:1. THnks

Allowing kids to use phones etc . . . during lunch and other breaks is becoming the norm at most high schools these days. I'm the teacher at the 1:1 school, and I see remarkably little phone use, beyond what I'd actually consider "positive phone use" (e.g. the other day one of my students asked my permission to use her phone during study hall to call her mom and let her know there was a Yearbook meeting afterschool so to please pick up late).

I would say that almost every class uses the device (we have iPads, not computers) at some point, but some classes use it a lot, e.g. kids are expected to take their science notes in Notability, so in non lab periods it may be used all period, whereas in English it's used for a small fraction of most periods, and art may use it for some projects or assignments but then not for weeks.

[Anonymous]

^^^Are you a parent pp? I know you are a teacher, but are you also a parent?

[Anonymous]

8:2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^Are you a parent pp? I know you are a teacher, but are you also a parent?

Yes, I have a high school aged kid, but my child is not at the school where I teach.

[Anonymous]

I have a hunch that 20:08 & 21:51 is a DCI admin. I recognize the dismissive language and tone. That or school she works at is earily similar. Ugh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

All of those articles are about the distractions that laptops cause in university classrooms when students are engaged in instruction that doesn't involve the laptops.

An entirely different situation from middle schoolers who are using devices for adult directed activities under the supervision of an adult. I work in a school with 1:1 devices. Students use them when appropriate. They are given clear directions on how to use it, and adults monitor what they're doing. Are there times when kids get off task? Yes, just like our generation did when we made paper footballs and "kicked' them at our peers, or passed notes, or drew lewd pictures in the margins of our books. But teachers are moving around, and monitoring. In addition, kids have assignments that have to be turned it so they have an incentive to stay on task. At other times, teachers direct students to turn their devices off, so they can do other things. Like conduct science labs, and create art, and listen to their classmates giving presentations.

I have a student at DCI. It was certainly an adjustment for myself and my child at the beginning of the year; figuring out what was going on in the Chromebook, what was work and what was play. But what I notice is that the computer has become routine for my kiddo and is not considered a toy. Initially it was exciting and now it's just work. We also found it helpful to just make some rules about it. The Chromebook is for homework only, it stays in the study/common area. No downloads etc. Like with any homework rule it was met with some eye rolling but is now just routine. Like anything initially novel, the shine has worn off.

I think a lot of this thread is very well meaning outrage from parents with younger kids who are justifiably afraid of antisocial, screen obsessed,navel gazing teens. But truly when you have a middle school-er and the infiltration of technology is a reality and not just a scary far off threat you start to realize the inevitability of it. And we are not a techy family; she doesn't have a fancy cell phone or tablet,nor do we for that matter. Kids at this age, you don't tell them what to do when they are with their peers, you only hope they use the best judgement you tried to infuse them with when they were under your constant tutelage. They do what they do especially when you say "make sure you don't do that". You will find that unless you attend a Waldorf school, that that screen will be in your life whether you like it or not, even if it is not their own personal screen. They will use their friends phone, computers etc. They will find it totally exciting and exotic when it is verboten- working out agreed upon limits for the technology and sticking to those limits is the better plan. Believe me when I say if you want a tween to do or like something just tell her not to do or like it...it will be like catnnip!

What I like about the Chromebooks (organization, transparency of work obligations, ease communication for students) far outweighs the issues I have with them. Plus I want to say that DCI has been invigorating and incredible for my child, who is deeply invested in her education. What I like about it is the way they concentrate on teaching the kids to like and take responsibility for their own learning. The work is challenging, the specials are engaging. Her language is improving. It has been a great experience for us so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a hunch that 20:08 & 21:51 is a DCI admin. I recognize the dismissive language and tone. That or school she works at is earily similar. Ugh!

Interesting theory! And very possible I'm sure!

[Anonymous]

To the previous teacher, do you teach HS or MS? Because I think allowing kid at middle school is very different from allowing HS students. 11 year olds should not have unmonitored access to the internet without constant supervision. How much adults supervise during lunch and breaks?

Thanks DCI parents for chiming in with your experiences. I am a little surprised, though, that the only benefit from using the chromebooks is that the kids can communicate easily with one another and that because of heavy daily use the Chromebook looses it's allure. While these maybe benefits, these things haven't provided answers to the questions some parents have about kids safety and efficacy of 1:1 classes.

[Anonymous]

Another interesting link

www.washingtonpost.com/local/serious-reading-takes-a-hit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

All of those articles are about the distractions that laptops cause in university classrooms when students are engaged in instruction that doesn't involve the laptops.

An entirely different situation from middle schoolers who are using devices for adult directed activities under the supervision of an adult. I work in a school with 1:1 devices. Students use them when appropriate. They are given clear directions on how to use it, and adults monitor what they're doing. Are there times when kids get off task? Yes, just like our generation did when we made paper footballs and "kicked' them at our peers, or passed notes, or drew lewd pictures in the margins of our books. But teachers are moving around, and monitoring. In addition, kids have assignments that have to be turned it so they have an incentive to stay on task. At other times, teachers direct students to turn their devices off, so they can do other things. Like conduct science labs, and create art, and listen to their classmates giving presentations.

You are kidding yourself. Don't you hear the "click" when you walk by? That is them pulling back up their work screen. Yes, they are working, but they are also doing other stuff, learning early the habits of multitasking and cognitive clutter (I just made that up) that will prevent engagement. My students (college) are always carrying on three or four conversations while reading or writing. They themselves will tell you it is not good for them, but they've studied so long like that that they don't know any other way. I will ensure my kids know another way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

All of those articles are about the distractions that laptops cause in university classrooms when students are engaged in instruction that doesn't involve the laptops.

An entirely different situation from middle schoolers who are using devices for adult directed activities under the supervision of an adult. I work in a school with 1:1 devices. Students use them when appropriate. They are given clear directions on how to use it, and adults monitor what they're doing. Are there times when kids get off task? Yes, just like our generation did when we made paper footballs and "kicked' them at our peers, or passed notes, or drew lewd pictures in the margins of our books. But teachers are moving around, and monitoring. In addition, kids have assignments that have to be turned it so they have an incentive to stay on task. At other times, teachers direct students to turn their devices off, so they can do other things. Like conduct science labs, and create art, and listen to their classmates giving presentations.

I have a student at DCI. It was certainly an adjustment for myself and my child at the beginning of the year; figuring out what was going on in the Chromebook, what was work and what was play. But what I notice is that the computer has become routine for my kiddo and is not considered a toy. Initially it was exciting and now it's just work. We also found it helpful to just make some rules about it. The Chromebook is for homework only, it stays in the study/common area. No downloads etc. Like with any homework rule it was met with some eye rolling but is now just routine. Like anything initially novel, the shine has worn off.

I think a lot of this thread is very well meaning outrage from parents with younger kids who are justifiably afraid of antisocial, screen obsessed,navel gazing teens. But truly when you have a middle school-er and the infiltration of technology is a reality and not just a scary far off threat you start to realize the inevitability of it. And we are not a techy family; she doesn't have a fancy cell phone or tablet,nor do we for that matter. Kids at this age, you don't tell them what to do when they are with their peers, you only hope they use the best judgement you tried to infuse them with when they were under your constant tutelage. They do what they do especially when you say "make sure you don't do that". You will find that unless you attend a Waldorf school, that that screen will be in your life whether you like it or not, even if it is not their own personal screen. They will use their friends phone, computers etc. They will find it totally exciting and exotic when it is verboten- working out agreed upon limits for the technology and sticking to those limits is the better plan. Believe me when I say if you want a tween to do or like something just tell her not to do or like it...it will be like catnnip!

What I like about the Chromebooks (organization, transparency of work obligations, ease communication for students) far outweighs the issues I have with them. Plus I want to say that DCI has been invigorating and incredible for my child, who is deeply invested in her education. What I like about it is the way they concentrate on teaching the kids to like and take responsibility for their own learning. The work is challenging, the specials are engaging. Her language is improving. It has been a great experience for us so far.

1) it is not inevitable
2) I don't buy the argument that we make the allure of tech greater when we forbid it. The allure is there no matter what and it is a very powerful (why am I typing this instead of grading student papers due tomorrow, for example. I am a 40+ year old woman and I can't resist it despite it not being forbidden; I'll be damned if I am going to make my 11 year old struggle with this. We will NOT be going to a tech heavy school).

[Anonymous]

Kids are going to drink in college. Why don't we start them early on the theory that then they won't go crazy with it when they are on their own? Because their brains are developing and we want to give them a safe space to develop. Because there is no evidence (in fact to the contrary) that drinking in high school means less drinking risky in college.

Same with tech. On both scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

All of those articles are about the distractions that laptops cause in university classrooms when students are engaged in instruction that doesn't involve the laptops.

An entirely different situation from middle schoolers who are using devices for adult directed activities under the supervision of an adult. I work in a school with 1:1 devices. Students use them when appropriate. They are given clear directions on how to use it, and adults monitor what they're doing. Are there times when kids get off task? Yes, just like our generation did when we made paper footballs and "kicked' them at our peers, or passed notes, or drew lewd pictures in the margins of our books. But teachers are moving around, and monitoring. In addition, kids have assignments that have to be turned it so they have an incentive to stay on task. At other times, teachers direct students to turn their devices off, so they can do other things. Like conduct science labs, and create art, and listen to their classmates giving presentations.

I have a student at DCI. It was certainly an adjustment for myself and my child at the beginning of the year; figuring out what was going on in the Chromebook, what was work and what was play. But what I notice is that the computer has become routine for my kiddo and is not considered a toy. Initially it was exciting and now it's just work. We also found it helpful to just make some rules about it. The Chromebook is for homework only, it stays in the study/common area. No downloads etc. Like with any homework rule it was met with some eye rolling but is now just routine. Like anything initially novel, the shine has worn off.

I think a lot of this thread is very well meaning outrage from parents with younger kids who are justifiably afraid of antisocial, screen obsessed,navel gazing teens. But truly when you have a middle school-er and the infiltration of technology is a reality and not just a scary far off threat you start to realize the inevitability of it. And we are not a techy family; she doesn't have a fancy cell phone or tablet,nor do we for that matter. Kids at this age, you don't tell them what to do when they are with their peers, you only hope they use the best judgement you tried to infuse them with when they were under your constant tutelage. They do what they do especially when you say "make sure you don't do that". You will find that unless you attend a Waldorf school, that that screen will be in your life whether you like it or not, even if it is not their own personal screen. They will use their friends phone, computers etc. They will find it totally exciting and exotic when it is verboten- working out agreed upon limits for the technology and sticking to those limits is the better plan. Believe me when I say if you want a tween to do or like something just tell her not to do or like it...it will be like catnnip!

What I like about the Chromebooks (organization, transparency of work obligations, ease communication for students) far outweighs the issues I have with them. Plus I want to say that DCI has been invigorating and incredible for my child, who is deeply invested in her education. What I like about it is the way they concentrate on teaching the kids to like and take responsibility for their own learning. The work is challenging, the specials are engaging. Her language is improving. It has been a great experience for us so far.

1) it is not inevitable
2) I don't buy the argument that we make the allure of tech greater when we forbid it. The allure is there no matter what and it is a very powerful (why am I typing this instead of grading student papers due tomorrow, for example. I am a 40+ year old woman and I can't resist it despite it not being forbidden; I'll be damned if I am going to make my 11 year old struggle with this. We will NOT be going to a tech heavy school).

I absolutely agree! It makes me *nuts* when parents or those working with kids say something like this is "inevitable". I've heard parents say that their kids playing "Grand Theft Auto" is inevitable so they bought it for them. Really??? I realize iPads or tablets are much more "everywhere" than Grand Theft Auto, but the point is really that children (hopefully!) spend more time at home than anywhere else until 18+. Then the 2nd most amount of time is spent in school or an instructional setting. Nothing about those 2 environments is "inevitable" - for the most part we have choices (lotteries aside). If growing research shows negative impacts on learning from hours of iPad/Chromebook/internet/smart phone exposure a day, then no, my kid having constant access to a Chromebook or spending all day at school on a Chromebook is NOT inevitable. Just as his over-exposure to excessive sugar, overly-processed food, inappropriate music or pornography is not inevitable. Of course he'll see/eat/view/hear all of those, but does that mean I have to play/serve it at home? In the car? Be excited about a school that has it?

I really do see the benefit of exposure to technology, comfort with it, creativity with it, and technology as a teaching tool. But it's about HOW MUCH EXPOSURE/USE, and if all that's said here is true, DCI sounds like way too much. That is absolutely *not* "inevitable" exposure and we will really steer ourselves far away from DCI if the idea it's inevitable or can't be avoided is the dominant view.