Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 15:12     Subject: Why no single platform?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have a middle Schooler and an elementary school child. For middle school I noticed that some assignments are on my MC PS, some are on Google classrooms and there is no unity which makes it hard for finding assignments. I apologize if I’m confusing the name of the modules but that’s how confused I am that I don’t even know which is which. Is there a reason why there is no standard teaching or communication module? It seems like it’s up to each teacher. I’m not criticizing I am trying to understand.



Hello --

MCPS did not give adequate training on myMCPS classroom when it first came out. Depending on the school and subject, some teachers were told that they had to switch platforms, and then had to learn on their own time how to make it work. As they have transitioned, some have found Google Classroom to be easier for their particular subject, others have found myMCPS Classroom to be easier. This is not surprising given the wide range of grade levels and subjects that we teach.

I agree that one teaching and communication module would be wonderful. It would be nice to have things streamlined. MCPS is planning some sort of a transition next year to make things more streamlined, but for now this is what we have.

MCPS always likes to receive feedback from parents. As we continue to move through this year, and begin to plan for things next year, some good things to suggest to the BOE include:

1. One platform that integrates communication, assignments, grades, attendance, and documentation.

2. One to One devices for students (at least at high school level) similar to Frederick County. In Frederick County, students can choose to use their own device or check out a chromebook from the school at the start of the year. The students then bring their device / chromebook to school each day. That way the student has access to a computer at home in order to complete assignments. At the end of the year, students return the chromebook to the school. Students will also have access whenever their is a snow day or other emergency closure without the rush to provide.

Can anyone think of other ideas?


The problem with Google Classroom is that Parent Access/Share is not turned on. There is no notifications, announcements or communication coming to parents through that Platform. If teachers are able to choose, there needs to be communication that explains that and identifies for students and parents which platform the teacher has choosen.
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 14:57     Subject: Why no single platform?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:bottom line - The county did not 1) provide training for myMCPS and 2) did not mandate its use (aka - learn on your own).

They should have adopted ONE LMS and trained teachers AND students on it.

Remember that PD for teachers doesn't automatically mean that kids understand what's going on at their end.


Even before the COVID 19 closure, parents were complaining about the multiple platforms since MCPS did away with Edline.

It's another example of where MCPS thought they could create their own system but failed. Some teachers went to Google classrooms because it was easier than myMCPS.

For middle school and high school students and parents, the lack of standardization creates confusion as to where to find the information needed. With the need for online learning, the confusion is exacerbated because there is no in person class for teachers to verbally give directions. It's chaos.


This, but MyMCPS was supposed to go away next year anyway and teachers were going to be forced to stop using Google Classroom. I don’t see large scale training occurring this summer.
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 14:48     Subject: Re:Why no single platform?
High school teacher here. I hate My MCPS Classroom and did not use it before all of this. However, I've been pushing a few things out on that platform since all of this happened because it seems that parents can see those items more easily.

Bottom line is that MCEA, our union, worked with MCPS to let teachers use the platform they are most comfortable with, which makes complete sense given the extraordinary circumstances we're living through right now.

If you're getting information on multiple platforms, it's probably because we're trying to cover our butts and make sure everyone has access to the information we're putting out there.
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 14:45     Subject: Why no single platform?
Anonymous wrote:I have a middle Schooler and an elementary school child. For middle school I noticed that some assignments are on my MC PS, some are on Google classrooms and there is no unity which makes it hard for finding assignments. I apologize if I’m confusing the name of the modules but that’s how confused I am that I don’t even know which is which. Is there a reason why there is no standard teaching or communication module? It seems like it’s up to each teacher. I’m not criticizing I am trying to understand.



Hello --

MCPS did not give adequate training on myMCPS classroom when it first came out. Depending on the school and subject, some teachers were told that they had to switch platforms, and then had to learn on their own time how to make it work. As they have transitioned, some have found Google Classroom to be easier for their particular subject, others have found myMCPS Classroom to be easier. This is not surprising given the wide range of grade levels and subjects that we teach.

I agree that one teaching and communication module would be wonderful. It would be nice to have things streamlined. MCPS is planning some sort of a transition next year to make things more streamlined, but for now this is what we have.

MCPS always likes to receive feedback from parents. As we continue to move through this year, and begin to plan for things next year, some good things to suggest to the BOE include:

1. One platform that integrates communication, assignments, grades, attendance, and documentation.

2. One to One devices for students (at least at high school level) similar to Frederick County. In Frederick County, students can choose to use their own device or check out a chromebook from the school at the start of the year. The students then bring their device / chromebook to school each day. That way the student has access to a computer at home in order to complete assignments. At the end of the year, students return the chromebook to the school. Students will also have access whenever their is a snow day or other emergency closure without the rush to provide.

Can anyone think of other ideas?
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 14:27     Subject: Why no single platform?
2 high schoolers, each with multiple platforms as well. I too am inundated with emails. This would be much better for all if everything was in one place rather than multiple. And while yes, we need to be patient, I don't see anyone from MCPS saying that it will get down to one platform eventually (as in this school year). It should.
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 12:14     Subject: Why no single platform?
This has been a frustration for us also. Especially in MS. Would be so much easier if it was all just on one platform.

My MS kid gets messages in multiple places, and it is tough to keep track.

She is also checking once in the AM and once in the PM like the other PP.

Yes, this is an unprecedented situation, but this has been a frustration since Day 1. Half the teachers use Canvas and half use Classroom. Why not set them all to one?
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 12:01     Subject: Re:Why no single platform?
I have two in MS. We have over the past several days received a ton of emails. Exactly 27 as of 11am this morning. My 8th grader did have a zoom class with his PLTW, Engineering teacher just to get familiar with Zoom and say hi which was a good experience for him.
With one son having ADD, all I want is way to export the schedule or the ability to help him set reminders within Google Classroom/MyMCPS for classwork due dates.
any ideas?.
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 11:56     Subject: Why no single platform?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:bottom line - The county did not 1) provide training for myMCPS and 2) did not mandate its use (aka - learn on your own).

They should have adopted ONE LMS and trained teachers AND students on it.

Remember that PD for teachers doesn't automatically mean that kids understand what's going on at their end.


Even before the COVID 19 closure, parents were complaining about the multiple platforms since MCPS did away with Edline.

It's another example of where MCPS thought they could create their own system but failed. Some teachers went to Google classrooms because it was easier than myMCPS.

For middle school and high school students and parents, the lack of standardization creates confusion as to where to find the information needed. With the need for online learning, the confusion is exacerbated because there is no in person class for teachers to verbally give directions. It's chaos.


Thank you for the explanation. -OP
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 11:49     Subject: Why no single platform?
Anonymous wrote:My HS daughter says she has 3 places to check for emails and assignments. She is checking them all at 10 and 3 each day. Hopefully that is enough.


This is what my midde-schooler and I have determined as well. Pick times twice a day to see if anything has been updated. So far we are not seeing communication from all teachers. Does anybody else with a middle schooler have this experience? I'm just trying to figure out if we've checked everywhere we need to, since MCPS said all teachers would have reached out by now.
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 11:47     Subject: Re:Why no single platform?
This is an unprecedented situation. There was a rush to procure equipment to ensure that all students had access (the large purchase of some 50K chromebooks and distributing them along with any equipment available at each school) and the need to put out distance learning for 165K students. The priority was having access including access for special needs students and there was no time to organize a uniform platform or process. It would have taken several more weeks to create a unified platform, process and train all of the teachers on the specifics of the platform. Instead, they focused on getting actual access and learning started. After the dust settles from the roll-out and after dealing with all of the inevitable issues the come with a large mass roll-out like this, they can focus on standardizing a platform and process and distributing it to the teachers.
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 11:32     Subject: Why no single platform?
My HS daughter says she has 3 places to check for emails and assignments. She is checking them all at 10 and 3 each day. Hopefully that is enough.
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 11:16     Subject: Why no single platform?
Anonymous wrote:bottom line - The county did not 1) provide training for myMCPS and 2) did not mandate its use (aka - learn on your own).

They should have adopted ONE LMS and trained teachers AND students on it.

Remember that PD for teachers doesn't automatically mean that kids understand what's going on at their end.


Even before the COVID 19 closure, parents were complaining about the multiple platforms since MCPS did away with Edline.

It's another example of where MCPS thought they could create their own system but failed. Some teachers went to Google classrooms because it was easier than myMCPS.

For middle school and high school students and parents, the lack of standardization creates confusion as to where to find the information needed. With the need for online learning, the confusion is exacerbated because there is no in person class for teachers to verbally give directions. It's chaos.
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 10:54     Subject: Why no single platform?
bottom line - The county did not 1) provide training for myMCPS and 2) did not mandate its use (aka - learn on your own).

They should have adopted ONE LMS and trained teachers AND students on it.

Remember that PD for teachers doesn't automatically mean that kids understand what's going on at their end.
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 10:52     Subject: Why no single platform?
Anonymous wrote:I have a middle Schooler and an elementary school child. For middle school I noticed that some assignments are on my MC PS, some are on Google classrooms and there is no unity which makes it hard for finding assignments. I apologize if I’m confusing the name of the modules but that’s how confused I am that I don’t even know which is which. Is there a reason why there is no standard teaching or communication module? It seems like it’s up to each teacher. I’m not criticizing I am trying to understand.


Me too! I have a middle schooler and I can't figure out how to even tell if all his teachers have communicated with him. It appears not, but maybe they are using different interfaces.
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2020 10:51     Subject: Why no single platform?
I have a middle Schooler and an elementary school child. For middle school I noticed that some assignments are on my MC PS, some are on Google classrooms and there is no unity which makes it hard for finding assignments. I apologize if I’m confusing the name of the modules but that’s how confused I am that I don’t even know which is which. Is there a reason why there is no standard teaching or communication module? It seems like it’s up to each teacher. I’m not criticizing I am trying to understand.