Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a great balance. Why can't DCI follow this model?

+1

Sounds like a great balance. Why can't DCI follow this model?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCI feeder parent here. I'm very disappointed with what's happened and will try for a Basis or Latin slot.

Is there any tech time at Basis or Latin? Just wondering?

There are mobile carts and the computers are used in class frequently. 5th grade Latin teacher and 6th grade science teacher are doing pilot programs of some online platforms that has moved much of the curriculum on line to Schoology. Homework in these classes needs to be done online on a personal computer at home or library. Other classes use computers for drafting papers mostly. Phones are not allowed at school for middle school students. There are demerits and "phone jail" if this rule is violated. So lunches, recess, advisories are all tech free.

I did some research on google classroom and learned it only started in May 2014. You can review some on line materials and take a quiz to get a certificate, etc. Training seems minimal. Which got me thinking.. how much training have the teachers had in using this technology effectively?

In light of research highlighting potential drawbacks surely the school needs to open to making changes.

Have the current teachers brought their concerns up to the admin?

Anonymous wrote:^^could you explain the mention of Chinese or French. Is this more of an issue for kids with that language focus?

No, it's not more of a challenge for those languages. What the PP means is that 4 of the 5 feeder schools teach Spanish. The middle and high school language options depend on a high % of YY students and a high % of Stokes' French students going on to DCI so there are upper level Mandarin and French offerings and students to actually fill those seats. If the YY and Stokes French parents in particular decide the excessive exposure to tech and games during school hours is not going to work for their families, it would throw the model into a quandary. But with 4 of 5 feeder schools speaking Spanish, there will probably always be upper level Spanish students even if a big chunk of YY and Stokes families pass on DCI.

PP is that what you meant?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, using tech isn't all or nothing. Many parents would be more comfortable with strategic use of technology not the 100% use in every class. As for the argument that equal access is helpful, the study cited by the NYT suggests otherwise.

It is NOT 100%. It is currently 50/50.

Admins in open houses say 50/50. Current parents and current teachers when speaking in confidence say much more like 90/10. This is hardly a freak out about the need for zero tech. No one is saying zero tech is good, or even minimal tech. What everyone is concerned with is too much tech. Which 80/20 or 90/10 certainly seems to be.

Middle and high school libraries? Maybe DCI will have one at the permanent location?

Anonymous wrote:Do any charters have libraries? That is a real problem I think.

Yu Ying does.

Do any charters have libraries? That is a real problem I think.

As for the game playing during Lunch, Bruch, breaktime - couldn't the parents set up some restrictions on the chromebooks so that kids wouldn't be able to access games/chats?

Does DCI have a library?

Why do you think they can advocate change? School doesn't receptive to parents' (current or incoming) concerns.

This! DCI needs kids from Yu Ying & to a lesser degree Stokes French b/c they bring in their advanced language skills. If they don't come and DCI has to rely on kids from lottery they risk being a school with only beginners in those languages. (How many non-YuYing kids speak Chinese?) Yes it's a lottery but DC has plenty of Spanish bilingual kids to fill spots.

But what I'm trying to get across is that YuYing & Stokes families are in a powerful position to advocate change.

do you think the school would be willing to consider using the computers in some classes or for specific projects, etc but scaling back use in classes where the computer is less helpful? Have any parents suggested this?