Reply to DCI: Too much focus on tablets/devices?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Does playing online games help bridge the digital divide? DCI admin claims it does.  I understand we need to bridge the divide by providing more kids with better access to information (although we often confuse information w/knowledge). But how does allowing multiplayer online games in school help? I'm concerned that DCI, in its quest to break the divide is just adding a layer of distraction. Thoughts? [/quote]

My thought, as a school administrator, is that preventing middle schoolers from accessing their devices during lunch and recess is unrealistic.  Schools that attempt to do so either end up enforcing the rules randomly, which opens them up complaints of unequal treatment.  Or they have policies that are in writing but not enforced, which sends the message to the kids that school rules can be ignored.  Whichever way they go, the amount of teacher and administrator time that is spent enforcing, or negotiating, or explaining the rules is enormous and cuts into other important parts of a school mission.

Given that, many many schools across the country are dropping policies that prohibit the use of devices during lunch and other breaks.  Most administrators in schools that have dropped the policies will tell you that they did so with trepidation but ended up being pleasantly surprised.

Do I think that playing online games "helps bridge the digital divide"?  No, but I do think it's the right choice.

If you do not want your preteen/teen playing online games at lunch or brunch tell them not to.  If that works, then great you have no reason to complain about the rules.  If it doesn't work, then ask yourself why you expect a school to enforce a rule on hundreds of kids, that you can't enforce with one.  [/quote]
You articulated, quite eloquently I might add, what amounts to an excuse in my opinion. The school is shirking its responsibility to provide an optimal learning environment on the premise that, essentially, kids are going to break rules anyway. The correcting of that behavior is too time-consuming and diminishes resources. Therefore, it is acceptable. What a lazy and irresponsible attitude towards a community, which claims its focused on making well-rounded world stewards. What a joke. I'm very disappointed and can only imagine where this hands-off policy may lead in other areas where the school needs to show leadership. Students need sharp and swift consequences if there are rules regarding gaming that are disobeyed. If the consequences aren't effective, than the kids are showing a lack of respect for authority, which requires the admin. to rise to the occasion to handle. If these kids are so wanton that you can't reign in the abuse of the gaming policy, my kid doesn't belong there. The science in clear- overuse of technology and gaming is damaging to kids. Period. Any policy or lack thereof that doesn't acknowledge that and move forward based upon what is clearly best for the kids is equally damaging. And, yet, another reason my child doesn't belong there. This DCI feeder parent will be looking elsewhere for DC's higher ed. experience. What a shame.[/quote]

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