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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Here are some more articles that talk of the distraction caused by laptops in the classroom and the effect on learning:

[url]http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/the-case-for-banning-laptops-in-the-classroom[/url]

[url]http://www.educationnews.org/technology/study-laptops-in-the-classroom-can-distract-hinder-learning/[/url]

[url]http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/08/14/laptops-in-classrooms_n_3756831.html[/url]

Frankly, I am appalled that these educators think that laptop use all the time is a good idea.[/quote]

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. [b] In addition, kids have assignments that have to be turned it so they have an incentive to stay on task[/b].  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.

[/quote]

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.  [/quote]

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).  [/quote]

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.[/quote]

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