DCI: Too much focus on tablets/devices?

[Anonymous]

While much in the article doesn't apply to DCI, I think the teacher mentioned the positive aspects of using paperbooks as opposed to electronic readers. At the open house I attended, the school was discussing investing in kindles for the students. No mention was made of using paper books. In fact, the school appeared super proud of their paperless approach. Maybe things have changed.

Again, I think using technology in schools is good but I think it's use needs to used wisely in order to maximize the benefits. Current research suggests using e readers may not be helpful for students. Why not have students read paper books in English class? Seems like such a simple solution. Again, please correct me if this is already what is happening.

[Anonymous]

Here is another article discussing some of the pros and cons to digital reading. Article discusses different approaches some schools use. DCI parents, could you please offer some insights to what students use?

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/05/07/30reading_ep.h33.html

[Anonymous]

"We live in two worlds now. We have to adapt."

[Anonymous]

Yes, we do live in two worlds and need to adapt and encourage kids to be comfortable in both. The rest of the article discussed both the good and bad of using digital books in class, including different ways teachers are trying to minimize the downsides. Students and teachers reported major drawbacks, particularly scanning instead of reading for detail. Because of these problems, teachers had children read paper books and then provided supplemental readings, etc on line.

On the DCI website, the school states their mission is " to restructure learning ... by incorporating technology into every facet of the instructional program." This approach goes beyond adapting. This approach is also not supported by current research. What is wrong with moderation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, we do live in two worlds and need to adapt and encourage kids to be comfortable in both. The rest of the article discussed both the good and bad of using digital books in class, including different ways teachers are trying to minimize the downsides. Students and teachers reported major drawbacks, particularly scanning instead of reading for detail. Because of these problems, teachers had children read paper books and then provided supplemental readings, etc on line.

On the DCI website, the school states their mission is " to restructure learning ... by incorporating technology into every facet of the instructional program." This approach goes beyond adapting. This approach is also not supported by current research. What is wrong with moderation?

why not just go to a school that you feel better meets your desires? this is why we have school choice in dc!

[Anonymous]

I might but not for the tech reason alone. As much as I don't like the 1:1 approach for MS, it is not a deal breaker in and of itself. I think the opportunity to get an IB degree and be fluent in another language are great benefits.

I think the debate re: tech in classrooms goes beyond DCI and is worthy of discussion. I am disappointed, though not necessarily surprised, how quickly many schools have assumed all technology use is good. It can offer many benefits but has drawbacks as well. I am reminded of this when new research appears. Just wondering why schools (in this case DCI) don't seem create a curriculum based on current research.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to be obnoxious and say that I just don't give a sh*t about all the anti-technology opinions. My kid is achieving more and feeling more success and happiness at DCI than I ever thought he would in his life. This place has changes his life. I, and I suspect the overwhelming majority of the current parents will, fight anyone who attempts to stymie this. Just go somewhere else. It all this blows up in our faces down the road then you can just bask in your own gloat. Until then, why the hell do you care?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be obnoxious and say that I just don't give a sh*t about all the anti-technology opinions. My kid is achieving more and feeling more success and happiness at DCI than I ever thought he would in his life. This place has changes his life. I, and I suspect the overwhelming majority of the current parents will, fight anyone who attempts to stymie this. Just go somewhere else. It all this blows up in our faces down the road then you can just bask in your own gloat. Until then, why the hell do you care?

Maybe we could start a new thread about DCI? I'm not anti-technology, I'm interested in DCI because I'm at a DCI feeder and we do not get much info about DCI and I don't know people at DCI.

I'm so very glad to hear that the place has changed his life! Was he at a feeder? What is great about it. Would LOVE to hear!

[Anonymous]

If you're at a feeder then you shouldn't need a new forum! You should be asking your feeder's head to provide information. DCI does special info sessions at each feeder for the parents, the kids at the feeders get a buddy day at DCI, and then there are general info sessions every month beginning next month at DCI.
Forums on DCUM are quickly overrun by trolls and those with their own agendas (both pro and against a school) which serve only to muddy waters and make parents anxious or incensed. Go find out for yourself, but again, start with the head of your feeder. They are on DCI's board and are supposed to be communicating about DCI with their constituents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're at a feeder then you shouldn't need a new forum! You should be asking your feeder's head to provide information. DCI does special info sessions at each feeder for the parents, the kids at the feeders get a buddy day at DCI, and then there are general info sessions every month beginning next month at DCI.
Forums on DCUM are quickly overrun by trolls and those with their own agendas (both pro and against a school) which serve only to muddy waters and make parents anxious or incensed. Go find out for yourself, but again, start with the head of your feeder. They are on DCI's board and are supposed to be communicating about DCI with their constituents.

NP here. The heads aren't doing this uniformly and ours specifically said she didn't feel comfortable speaking to the day to day experiences and policies of the school. At least last year, the buddy day for 2 of the feeder schools happened after the lottery deadline. DCI could do better at reaching out to 3rd/4th grade parents given the realities of application deadlines at other charter and private school options.

I am NOT saying that DCUM is the best or even a good place to answer questions. But I'm not surprised that feeder school parents (not to mention people who want to try for a not-lottery seat at DCI) are craving a bit more information. DCI is still a new school juggling a lot (two buildings, a construction project and the first year of a full middle school cohort) and hopefully this will improve over time.

[Anonymous]

Buddy day for YY is happing in November. I don't know about the other schools. I (somewhat) remember from last year that there were 2 buddy days that were some time apart. Maybe they were in the spring?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be obnoxious and say that I just don't give a sh*t about all the anti-technology opinions. My kid is achieving more and feeling more success and happiness at DCI than I ever thought he would in his life. This place has changes his life. I, and I suspect the overwhelming majority of the current parents will, fight anyone who attempts to stymie this. Just go somewhere else. It all this blows up in our faces down the road then you can just bask in your own gloat. Until then, why the hell do you care?

Maybe we could start a new thread about DCI? I'm not anti-technology, I'm interested in DCI because I'm at a DCI feeder and we do not get much info about DCI and I don't know people at DCI.

I'm so very glad to hear that the place has changed his life! Was he at a feeder? What is great about it. Would LOVE to hear!

Short answer: the independence, autonomy and respect given to them is huge. The Approaches to Learning (ATL) class seemed silly to me until I realized that this is at the core of my DS's success. They do twice weekly checkins with their advisors (the ATL teacher) where they discuss school work, friendships, home life, etc.. They learn and model the school wide approach to restorative justice, which is difficult to explain so I won't attempt it. The kids choose a lunch club that is different for each day of the week. Some of the options I recall are Farm to Table, model UN, sustainability, Chinese conversation club, dog walking, skateboarding, basketball, paining debate, NASA club, ... but there are probably well over a dozen more. This is to say that the kids have the community within their ATL with a permanent advisor who looks after their well being and meta-cognitive stuff, then they have these daily less formal communities from which to choose.

This is JUST the social-emotional stuff. The academics are another great story

[Anonymous]

Interesting discussion on Science Friday

http://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/sherry-turkle-reclaiming-conversation/

[Anonymous]

I recently found out about the International School of Indiana, a private IB school offering Chinese, Spanish, and French immersion from preschool to 12th grade and was interested to see they also have a 1:1 tech approach in 6th to 12th, though with Apple laptops. I don't know how long they've had the policy. The school seems similar to WIS but offers a Chinese immersion track from preschool (and is a lot cheaper). Also seems similar to DCI with the languages and tech 1:1 approach from 6th up.http://www.isind.org/academics/technology/

[Anonymous]

Trying link again

http://www.isind.org/academics/technology/