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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Another DCI parent here. The use of the chromebooks in the classroom is not particularly excessive. The kids do science experiments using their hands, my DDs language class has a text book and some subjects (Math), is taught partially on paper. As a parent I have found a work-around for the reading - I just buy books, borrow from library or print. Homework online did not work for us as the G-chat invites would distract my child. But some kids swear they use G-chat to get assignment help from their friends. We made the decision to buy a printer and do HW offline, then type up the assignments with a parent (to monitor screen). Extra work but I think it definitely helps imprint the content into my DD's brain.

However, I worry that the school environment is too tech heavy. I was stunned when the administration told our kids at orientation that at break times they could use their cell phones, play games... The administration says it wants the kids to "choose" how to spend their time. My DD reports that many, many kids "choose" to be online, describing lunch tables with boys playing games and girls "liking" pictures on Instagram. The school insists that kids do choose offline activities and I do see DCI working to improve these options.

Another distraction is the easy access to games during class times. My DD does not have a problem with this but she talks about kids who get distracted by games and other kids who get distracted from kids who get distracted. In short, a huge distraction. My DD told me the other day, " We're not even supposed to be playing games during class so why have them?" Smart kid!

What I don't understand is why DCI feels so compelled to allow these distractions and why they allow screens during non-education times to kids who are getting so much screen-time already. And why would the school even want the liability?

I really want this school to succeed both for us and for the hundreds of families excited to have this MS/HS option. There is a growing group of current parents talking to the administration, trying to persuade them that reducing the tech times to classrooms only will improve the school. I encourage prospective parents to raise these issues tonight and going forward.
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Thank  you PP, those additional details are so helpful in this discussion!  It's great and so important that some current parents are trying to engage the Administration to re-examine these practices.  I'm with you though, knowing how school administrations often are, especially new ones with so much going on, the voice of prospective parents is huge.  Parents saying "I would not send my child there if this..." and being vocal about it gets attention.  Not that DCI is hurting for interested parents, but if the parents who know the most about child development, education, or technology are the same ones criticizing the DCI practices publicly, that can hurt them.  The goal of course is to give feedback so hopefully this can improve, not to trash the school.  But this is a big, huge, giant deal.  It would be great if there are signs that the administration is taking these concerns and the feedback seriously and better yet engaging students and parents on ideas of how to improve it, even though the admins make the final decisions about what changes and what doesn't.[/quote]

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