I remember when MCPS emailed everyone and instructed them to stop using Google Classroom. It has been years, now. The teacher should not be using that platform, clearly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is new this year to MCPS middle school and he’s struggling lately with missed assignments. He says he’s having a hard time compared to his prior school because there are several platforms (Canvas, StudentVue, plus one teacher uses a Google doc with links to presentations/assignments, another teacher uses Google Classroom) and when he goes to the MCPS dashboard it says he has no missing assignments but it’s not always drawing information from the different platforms and sometimes it’s not updated.

Any tips that could help my kid? Would it be too much to ask the guidance counselor for advice to help my kid? I don’t want to be a pain, but my kid is really feeling discouraged.

I have a background in Human Factors. The number of different systems and platforms required to be a student in MCPS is vulgar. Technology has become a hurdle to learning instead of a support- especially for kids with ADHD. [b]

You should ask that he have a central assignment list updated daily by his teachers.

Agree that it's terrible. Even for kids without MCPS. It's unnecessary and detrimental.

It’s ridiculous. I think the teachers are trying to be organized but you’re right that they each get to come up with their own system and there are too many portals and stuff doesn’t sync or get uploaded until it’s too late oftentimes.
We go through each subject every day, sign up for canvas emails and go through synergy twice a day. I don’t want to be involved but if I’m not, things fall through the cracks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is new this year to MCPS middle school and he’s struggling lately with missed assignments. He says he’s having a hard time compared to his prior school because there are several platforms (Canvas, StudentVue, plus one teacher uses a Google doc with links to presentations/assignments, another teacher uses Google Classroom) and when he goes to the MCPS dashboard it says he has no missing assignments but it’s not always drawing information from the different platforms and sometimes it’s not updated.

Any tips that could help my kid? Would it be too much to ask the guidance counselor for advice to help my kid? I don’t want to be a pain, but my kid is really feeling discouraged.

I have a background in Human Factors. The number of different systems and platforms required to be a student in MCPS is vulgar. Technology has become a hurdle to learning instead of a support- especially for kids with ADHD.

You should ask that he have a central assignment list updated daily by his teachers.

MCPS technology is a disaster. My child has an IEP and that exact accommodation and in three years of MS teachers never updated. It's supposed to the resource teacher working with the student and they do it for a day and then and no one bothers even when it's legally required.

If teachers were held accountable for putting stuff into Canvas properly there would be no need for students to need accommodations or extra helpin this regard.

Anonymous wrote:It is a nightmare and teachers don’t use the systems properly either.

This is a problem. The number of times I've seen an assignment appear in the system after it is due, often many at once at the end of a grading period...

They need to simplify/standardize for the teachers' sakes as much as for the students'. Have multiple means of delivery? Sure, but one portal and one system of record. Then require adherence to that as the only one that can result in a grade, with requirements for timely posting (e.g., x number of days in advance for tests, y number of days in advance for major take-home assignments, by 1 hour after school end for daily homework, etc.) and similar requirements for timely grading/feedback (e.g., whatever number of days before the next assignment/test which might build on the content or method of grading associated with the graded assignment, and with the graded material for reference to ensure correct understanding).

It is a nightmare and teachers don’t use the systems properly either.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is new this year to MCPS middle school and he’s struggling lately with missed assignments. He says he’s having a hard time compared to his prior school because there are several platforms (Canvas, StudentVue, plus one teacher uses a Google doc with links to presentations/assignments, another teacher uses Google Classroom) and when he goes to the MCPS dashboard it says he has no missing assignments but it’s not always drawing information from the different platforms and sometimes it’s not updated.

Any tips that could help my kid? Would it be too much to ask the guidance counselor for advice to help my kid? I don’t want to be a pain, but my kid is really feeling discouraged.

MCPS teachers are not allowed to use Google Classroom in MCPS anymore.

StudentVue and Google Docs are both accessible from Canvas. He will pick it up quickly, I promise, even the elementary Students use Google docs.

Op here. Not true. One of my kid’s teachers is using Google Classroom. I get notifications from the teacher and it’s clearly there.

Thanks to all for the great suggestions so far.

They may be using it, I was just telling you mcps policy, it's been a long time since MCPS told us all to stop using it for this very reason. Everyone should be using MyMCPS Classroom to make it consistent for students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is new this year to MCPS middle school and he’s struggling lately with missed assignments. He says he’s having a hard time compared to his prior school because there are several platforms (Canvas, StudentVue, plus one teacher uses a Google doc with links to presentations/assignments, another teacher uses Google Classroom) and when he goes to the MCPS dashboard it says he has no missing assignments but it’s not always drawing information from the different platforms and sometimes it’s not updated.

Any tips that could help my kid? Would it be too much to ask the guidance counselor for advice to help my kid? I don’t want to be a pain, but my kid is really feeling discouraged.

MCPS teachers are not allowed to use Google Classroom in MCPS anymore.

StudentVue and Google Docs are both accessible from Canvas. He will pick it up quickly, I promise, even the elementary Students use Google docs.

Op here. Not true. One of my kid’s teachers is using Google Classroom. I get notifications from the teacher and it’s clearly there.

Thanks to all for the great suggestions so far.

Anonymous wrote:My kid is new this year to MCPS middle school and he’s struggling lately with missed assignments. He says he’s having a hard time compared to his prior school because there are several platforms (Canvas, StudentVue, plus one teacher uses a Google doc with links to presentations/assignments, another teacher uses Google Classroom) and when he goes to the MCPS dashboard it says he has no missing assignments but it’s not always drawing information from the different platforms and sometimes it’s not updated.

Any tips that could help my kid? Would it be too much to ask the guidance counselor for advice to help my kid? I don’t want to be a pain, but my kid is really feeling discouraged.

Welcome to mcps the largest school district in the state. Your kid is struggling? Parents are too. It is easy to make platforms technically easy. However mcps complicates it. Colleges use canavas, works fine mostly

All the systems are a nightmare because there’s not one place that is accurate due to info not synchronizing and teachers using different systems. I ended up just helping my son for all of sixth grade and by 7th he can do most on his own but I still help him check regularly. He has an agenda but never writes anything down…. Sigh.

Anonymous wrote:My kid is new this year to MCPS middle school and he’s struggling lately with missed assignments. He says he’s having a hard time compared to his prior school because there are several platforms (Canvas, StudentVue, plus one teacher uses a Google doc with links to presentations/assignments, another teacher uses Google Classroom) and when he goes to the MCPS dashboard it says he has no missing assignments but it’s not always drawing information from the different platforms and sometimes it’s not updated.

Any tips that could help my kid? Would it be too much to ask the guidance counselor for advice to help my kid? I don’t want to be a pain, but my kid is really feeling discouraged.

MCPS teachers are not allowed to use Google Classroom in MCPS anymore.

StudentVue and Google Docs are both accessible from Canvas. He will pick it up quickly, I promise, even the elementary Students use Google docs.

Does he have a place to write down his homework/work? My middle school gives each student with an agenda book with places to write down all of their assignments for each of their classes. Everyday in class we ask students to write down their work in the agenda book. We walk around and stamp that they have written it down. I would start there. As he is given assignments have him write them down and where they are. Try that for a bit. If that doesn't work on its own, email the team leader and teachers and request that teachers help with this.

Anonymous wrote:My kid is new this year to MCPS middle school and he’s struggling lately with missed assignments. He says he’s having a hard time compared to his prior school because there are several platforms (Canvas, StudentVue, plus one teacher uses a Google doc with links to presentations/assignments, another teacher uses Google Classroom) and when he goes to the MCPS dashboard it says he has no missing assignments but it’s not always drawing information from the different platforms and sometimes it’s not updated.

Any tips that could help my kid? Would it be too much to ask the guidance counselor for advice to help my kid? I don’t want to be a pain, but my kid is really feeling discouraged.

I have a background in Human Factors. The number of different systems and platforms required to be a student in MCPS is vulgar. Technology has become a hurdle to learning instead of a support- especially for kids with ADHD.

You should ask that he have a central assignment list updated daily by his teachers.

I have a kid w/ executive functioning challenges so here is how I would approach it until it is cleared up.

Self-Advocacy
Have your kid email the teachers in the classes w/ confusion to ask for clarity, and have them follow up verbally for a little convo to get guidance on where to look for assignments. If they need help drafting email provide guidance, review the draft. If the kid needs to rehearse what yo say to the teacher do that. Do this for every missed or confused assignment. Ask the kid to ask the teacher for grace when there is confusion. Easier to do if the teacher sees the kid proactively trying.

Checking every day twice a day
Get the kid in the habit of checking all relevant platforms for each class every single day after school. No other activities until they check.

Verify
Have your kid verbally walk you through each class - computer in hand showing you the platforms.

Might your kid have a disability?
No shame if so. Self understanding & accommodations work wonders.

My kid is new this year to MCPS middle school and he’s struggling lately with missed assignments. He says he’s having a hard time compared to his prior school because there are several platforms (Canvas, StudentVue, plus one teacher uses a Google doc with links to presentations/assignments, another teacher uses Google Classroom) and when he goes to the MCPS dashboard it says he has no missing assignments but it’s not always drawing information from the different platforms and sometimes it’s not updated.

Any tips that could help my kid? Would it be too much to ask the guidance counselor for advice to help my kid? I don’t want to be a pain, but my kid is really feeling discouraged.