DCI: Too much focus on tablets/devices?

[Anonymous]

We all have free will about what we read on DCUM. It's only long and tiresome to those who for some reason don't like the topic but choose to read it anyway. For the rest of us it's either interesting or very very relevant if we're in a DCI feeder and concerned about this. So thanks for posting.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I am glad you found the article helpful. I think this topic is interesting. I do have a child at a feeder so I am pretty focused at learning the pros/cons of tech use, but I think the issue extends beyond DCI. I know that tech use in classrooms can be good but current research seems to suggest a lot of negative consequences.

[Anonymous]

I thought this was interesting.
http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/05/12/404534299/the-future-of-education-truths-lies-and-wishful-thinking

[Anonymous]

This report speaks nothing to the use of technology in classrooms, only about kids having access to their personal cell phones during school hours. From what we saw in our first year, DCI is using technology for education responsibly. They can really tailor learning down to the individual.

But yes DCI does allow kids to use personal cells (and even play video games) during morning break & lunch. This policy is something I strongly disagree with. FWIW my kid does not have a smart phone (getting harder to find these days...) and I tell her she must keep on mute and in bag while at school. She rolls her eyes and gripes that all her friends are on Instagram at lunch and tells me that I'm "jealous" that I didn't have internet when I was a kid. sigh...

[Anonymous]

There has been a lot of discussion about kids being allowed to use phones during lunch and break which is why I thought the article was interesting.

Here is a link to story on Science Friday which I thought was interesting. Similar to a story on NPR this morning

http://sciencefriday.com/segment/07/17/2015/can-video-games-be-used-as-teaching-tools.html

While I fully agree that tech use in the classroom has benefits and should be included, I don't have confidence that DCI is using current research (what is available) to guide their curriculum and teaching. Wish I did.

[Anonymous]

well they do. good god. they are probably better versed in the real research than in reading pseudo "research" like most of you post here.

[Anonymous]

Didn't get that impression when I went to an Open house. And, while research is limited, it makes sense to adopt a more gradual approach. And there have been at least two studies which show a drop scores and grades when kids were given more access to technology. The one done by researchers at London School of Economics looked at over 100,000 students. A good number even if it was a retrospective study and more than adequate to raise questions about the wisdom of letting kids have unrestricted access to phones. But DCI seems to think to think it is great idea. I would love to know why!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:well they do. good god. they are probably better versed in the real research than in reading pseudo "research" like most of you post here.

DCI Parent here who, while thinks DCI is doing a pretty good job, think there is always room for improvement. One gripe I have is that they don't seem to value kinesthetic learners. Some people NEED to use paper. That people learn differently is well researched but DCI insists kids will "get used to it."

Please don't suggest we go somewhere else. My kid loves the school and I have SO MANY great things to say about the school -enthusiastic teachers, great discipline system, loads of activities. We are from a feeder school and having been looking forward to this school for some time. There is nothing wrong with healthy debate.

[Anonymous]

to 11:43, you have expressed a concern I have. Some kids may need to read a paper book or write on paper. The school should offer that choice, just as many school allow students with dysgraphia,, the option of typing.

What would happen if my child needed to write instead of using the computer? Does the school just frown upon it or will it impact grades?

BTW, this would strongly goes against PP argument that the school is ignoring research when developing a curriculum. Of course, DCI is not the only school guilty of this.

[Anonymous]

I haven't heard of kids being discouraged against paper books or writing on paper for independent assignments! The in-class content is often delivered via Chromebook, but kids haven't had lowered grades or anything based on how they choose to turn in assignments. Some kids will voice that they'd prefer to read a paper book and will grab it from the Mount Pleasant Library with no issues at all.

In fact, DCI grades on the IB criteria and the medium of the assignment is not taken into consideration in those categories.

[Anonymous]

Thanks 14:16, that is really good news. Still on the fence about DCI but if the school is pretty flexible that would be a big positive. I think my DC might need time to work on keyboarding skills with goal to be typing assignments by 7th/8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't heard of kids being discouraged against paper books or writing on paper for independent assignments! The in-class content is often delivered via Chromebook, but kids haven't had lowered grades or anything based on how they choose to turn in assignments. Some kids will voice that they'd prefer to read a paper book and will grab it from the Mount Pleasant Library with no issues at all.

In fact, DCI grades on the IB criteria and the medium of the assignment is not taken into consideration in those categories.

Great to hear! At the Open House we were told kids need to submit homework assignments on Chromebook. Guess I misunderstood.

[Anonymous]

You didn't misunderstand. They can handwrite and then scan their homework into Google classroom, but the work is expected electronically. Nobody is forcing you to go. It's a school of choice.

[Anonymous]

As long as the kids have the option to handwrite the assignment. No problem scanning into google classroom. as long as kids don't get penalized for not typing.

[Anonymous]

I think it really depends on the class! I believe almost all of the math work is done by hand (not entirely sure). I think most kids find it easier to type their assignments. Teachers don't really print for kids though, but if students take initiative, I haven't heard any teacher complain!