Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ed tech is how our teachers will let my first grader learn at their own pace (they are testing a few grade levels ahead in reading and math). I get why people dislike it, but there are some advantages, like differentiated learning.

Nope. Totally not developmentally appropriate and easy way out instead of doing the heavy lifting.

Why is it developmentally inappropriate to let a 7 year old do a reading app for 30 minutes for enrichment?

Because comprehension when reading digitally is not as high as comprehension when reading a physical book. This is all documented.

Yeah but the PP says she doesn’t mind and this is enrichment so it’s not going to wreck her mind. Some math apps like Khan Academy are actually quite good. This issue is a lot more nuanced than you think. My kid has a different set of needs but this PP is not the first parent I’ve heard saying they appreciate the apps for acceleration so I am inclined to listen to them.

Also the research on digital reading is actually much less definitive than you claim: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10606230/

Ok. I send my kids to low tech schools (DCPS elementary and BASIS) and I'm really satisfied with how they use tech. Here is the entirety of the tech use:

Elementary: iReady for assessment, and what seems like 30 minutes of iReady for math so the kids can work at their level. Practice for CAPE via the computer. That's it.

BASIS: occasional typing of researched essays. Optional quizzes on platforms like Blooket to help them study -- these are never graded and always optional.

Everything else -- writing notes during class, writing to understand what they read, writing many essays, completing problem sets, working out science problems, tests and quizzes, reading physical books -- is done offline. Both schools are extremely high scoring. The students comprehension of the material is high.

Parents should think twice before excusing all the apps.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ed tech is how our teachers will let my first grader learn at their own pace (they are testing a few grade levels ahead in reading and math). I get why people dislike it, but there are some advantages, like differentiated learning.

So the teachers before the early 2000’s must’ve not differentiated? The schools that have classrooms with 2-3 grade levels in it must also just teach using tech, since differentiation is impossible without it.

Also 1st grade is not Pre-K or K. My oldest is in 2nd and reads at a 4th grade level, he just joins a 4th grade class for some lessons. Yes, there is some tech and I’m ok with that. As long as it’s under an hour a day -which it is.

Tech is a tool but like all tools it can be overused and abused. DCPS has been utilizing tech for some time now and has not managed to produce any meaningful results for students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ed tech is how our teachers will let my first grader learn at their own pace (they are testing a few grade levels ahead in reading and math). I get why people dislike it, but there are some advantages, like differentiated learning.

Nope. Totally not developmentally appropriate and easy way out instead of doing the heavy lifting.

Why is it developmentally inappropriate to let a 7 year old do a reading app for 30 minutes for enrichment?

Because comprehension when reading digitally is not as high as comprehension when reading a physical book. This is all documented.

Yeah but the PP says she doesn’t mind and this is enrichment so it’s not going to wreck her mind. Some math apps like Khan Academy are actually quite good. This issue is a lot more nuanced than you think. My kid has a different set of needs but this PP is not the first parent I’ve heard saying they appreciate the apps for acceleration so I am inclined to listen to them.

Also the research on digital reading is actually much less definitive than you claim: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10606230/

Nope, small groups by ability or paper and pencil assigned work is the answer. Not screens. Maybe a 1/2 hour in 3rd grade for individualized work on screens but 1st and letting a child just do math and reading by herself on line is definitely not the answer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ed tech is how our teachers will let my first grader learn at their own pace (they are testing a few grade levels ahead in reading and math). I get why people dislike it, but there are some advantages, like differentiated learning.

Nope. Totally not developmentally appropriate and easy way out instead of doing the heavy lifting.

Why is it developmentally inappropriate to let a 7 year old do a reading app for 30 minutes for enrichment?

Because comprehension when reading digitally is not as high as comprehension when reading a physical book. This is all documented.

Yeah but the PP says she doesn’t mind and this is enrichment so it’s not going to wreck her mind. Some math apps like Khan Academy are actually quite good. This issue is a lot more nuanced than you think. My kid has a different set of needs but this PP is not the first parent I’ve heard saying they appreciate the apps for acceleration so I am inclined to listen to them.

Also the research on digital reading is actually much less definitive than you claim: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10606230/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ed tech is how our teachers will let my first grader learn at their own pace (they are testing a few grade levels ahead in reading and math). I get why people dislike it, but there are some advantages, like differentiated learning.

Nope. Totally not developmentally appropriate and easy way out instead of doing the heavy lifting.

Why is it developmentally inappropriate to let a 7 year old do a reading app for 30 minutes for enrichment?

Because comprehension when reading digitally is not as high as comprehension when reading a physical book. This is all documented.

Yeah but the PP says she doesn’t mind and this is enrichment so it’s not going to wreck her mind. Some math apps like Khan Academy are actually quite good. This issue is a lot more nuanced than you think. My kid has a different set of needs but this PP is not the first parent I’ve heard saying they appreciate the apps for acceleration so I am inclined to listen to them.

Also the research on digital reading is actually much less definitive than you claim: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10606230/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ed tech is how our teachers will let my first grader learn at their own pace (they are testing a few grade levels ahead in reading and math). I get why people dislike it, but there are some advantages, like differentiated learning.

Nope. Totally not developmentally appropriate and easy way out instead of doing the heavy lifting.

Why is it developmentally inappropriate to let a 7 year old do a reading app for 30 minutes for enrichment?

Because comprehension when reading digitally is not as high as comprehension when reading a physical book. This is all documented.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to focus on the curriculum and ineffectiveness of “Ed tech” as opposed to portraying the image of a precious Montessori mom who believes that even one episode of Teletubbies will pollute her child’s brain.

The issue is not a teacher putting a dance video on the smart screen - that is actually probably a fun and good use of screens. The actual issue is that the screen/algorithm based instructional methods replacing paper *do not work.* Even more of an alarm bell should sound when the school starts telling you that the instruction will be “self paced” with your child on a device.

So the upshot is - no, you cannot act like an entitled parent and cry that your baby is being “exposed to screens.” Because computers are obviously here to stay in the world. You need to focus on how Ed tech has replaced books and paper based education despite being catastrophically less effective - particularly in math.

This is a gross misrepresentation of what most people want. And sure if it’s the equivalent to 3-15 minutes a day sure.

But sometimes the books are read on the screen, all the morning meeting songs are on the screen, the movement breaks, whole group lessons,etc. -it can add up to 30-60 minutes easily.

To not take this seriously is to discredit the vast amount of research coming out. My generation (gen z) is the first one said to be less capable than the previous generations in terms of executive functioning skills and the like. It will only get worse.

I’m not advocating for Montessori or Waldorf -especially since both have ties to eugenics or forest school. Please don’t use reductive arguments.

I simply don’t think it’s appropriate for classrooms with children 3-5 years old to be made to have laptop carts with iPads in them. Especially when it’s not developmentally appropriate or necessary.

NP and sometimes I wonder if teachers realize they are showing that they aren’t really needed. If everything you do is from
YouTube/smartboard, why pay someone 90K for their expertise as a teacher? You could pay someone with less education a fraction of that and just dictate which YouTube videos to play.

Oh please. Unless you try to understand that this issue is not a fun YouTube video, you aren’t going to get anywhere. Because teachers themselves are equally concerned about being forced to deliver digital curriculums. This goes far beyond your allergy to your kid seeing a screen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ed tech is how our teachers will let my first grader learn at their own pace (they are testing a few grade levels ahead in reading and math). I get why people dislike it, but there are some advantages, like differentiated learning.

Nope. Totally not developmentally appropriate and easy way out instead of doing the heavy lifting.

Why is it developmentally inappropriate to let a 7 year old do a reading app for 30 minutes for enrichment?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ed tech is how our teachers will let my first grader learn at their own pace (they are testing a few grade levels ahead in reading and math). I get why people dislike it, but there are some advantages, like differentiated learning.

Nope. Totally not developmentally appropriate and easy way out instead of doing the heavy lifting.

Anonymous wrote:Ed tech is how our teachers will let my first grader learn at their own pace (they are testing a few grade levels ahead in reading and math). I get why people dislike it, but there are some advantages, like differentiated learning.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ed tech is how our teachers will let my first grader learn at their own pace (they are testing a few grade levels ahead in reading and math). I get why people dislike it, but there are some advantages, like differentiated learning.

So the teachers before the early 2000’s must’ve not differentiated? The schools that have classrooms with 2-3 grade levels in it must also just teach using tech, since differentiation is impossible without it.

Also 1st grade is not Pre-K or K. My oldest is in 2nd and reads at a 4th grade level, he just joins a 4th grade class for some lessons. Yes, there is some tech and I’m ok with that. As long as it’s under an hour a day -which it is.

Tech is a tool but like all tools it can be overused and abused. DCPS has been utilizing tech for some time now and has not managed to produce any meaningful results for students.

Anonymous wrote:Ed tech is how our teachers will let my first grader learn at their own pace (they are testing a few grade levels ahead in reading and math). I get why people dislike it, but there are some advantages, like differentiated learning.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to focus on the curriculum and ineffectiveness of “Ed tech” as opposed to portraying the image of a precious Montessori mom who believes that even one episode of Teletubbies will pollute her child’s brain.

The issue is not a teacher putting a dance video on the smart screen - that is actually probably a fun and good use of screens. The actual issue is that the screen/algorithm based instructional methods replacing paper *do not work.* Even more of an alarm bell should sound when the school starts telling you that the instruction will be “self paced” with your child on a device.

So the upshot is - no, you cannot act like an entitled parent and cry that your baby is being “exposed to screens.” Because computers are obviously here to stay in the world. You need to focus on how Ed tech has replaced books and paper based education despite being catastrophically less effective - particularly in math.

This is a gross misrepresentation of what most people want. And sure if it’s the equivalent to 3-15 minutes a day sure.

But sometimes the books are read on the screen, all the morning meeting songs are on the screen, the movement breaks, whole group lessons,etc. -it can add up to 30-60 minutes easily.

To not take this seriously is to discredit the vast amount of research coming out. My generation (gen z) is the first one said to be less capable than the previous generations in terms of executive functioning skills and the like. It will only get worse.

I’m not advocating for Montessori or Waldorf -especially since both have ties to eugenics or forest school. Please don’t use reductive arguments.

I simply don’t think it’s appropriate for classrooms with children 3-5 years old to be made to have laptop carts with iPads in them. Especially when it’s not developmentally appropriate or necessary.

1) I doubt you are actually in the classroom every day to know how much time is on screens
2) Using your granola-mom standards as the basis for your advocacy is not going to work. Screens are not actually toxic to children. This is just like when granola moms try to organize against baloney sandwiches and yoplait (check the archives).
3) there IS a BIG problem with screens, and that is with their use to deliver computerized/algorithmic curriculums that have poor results. THIS is what you need to have your eye on - how is your school delivering phonics and math instruction? Not the YouTube dancing video.

Haha. I made sure to NOT mention that I AM a PK teacher/coach. I hate to burst your bubble but I have seen this in plenty of classrooms.

Why did you ignore my mentioning of laptop carts in every ECE classroom? This is easily verifiable by the Ed spec of schools that are modernizing.

It’s also not just about what is currently happening, it’s what’s coming as well. DCPS isn’t giving us all iPads for nothing.

The fact that you are bashing moms because you think they are not experts and just overly sensitive is telling.

What do you let your young child have 3+ hours of screen time a day and you feel guilty?

And please stop moving the goalpost like people are just saying ‘a screen in general’ it’s not helpful to the conversation.

Hmm maybe you are the psycho PK3 teacher my kid had.

Maybe you can answer my question about phonics and math instruction though because that is the one that actually matters, not your weird thing about laptop carts.

This is the last time I will answer you since you are clearly not interested in an intelligent conversation. As for your boring question -through free and guided play. My students are all ‘ahead.’

Oh guess what I didn’t use? Some run of the mill app. I feel sorry for your child’s previous teachers, you are clearly can’t understand basic neuroscience or child development.

You want to teach phonics and math through “free and guided play”? OK then!

DP but you are talking to a PK teacher. Free and guided play is absolutely how a lot of kids start to learn letters and letter sounds, counting, shapes, colors, etc., as 3 and 4 year olds.

Do you want preschoolers drilling multiplication tables on an iPad? WTF?

If you look back at my post, the point is, I don’t think catastrophizing over the presence of iPad carts or showing a dance video is really helpful. What is helpful is yes, looking to see how phonics and math are taught, and no, I don’t think that should be via iPad.

But making fun of a PK teacher for using free and guided play to teach is weirdly unproductive since that's actually an evidenced-based method for teaching at that grade level. The PP is complaining about the presence of ed tech in her PK classrooms, which she views as an unnecessary distraction from age-appropriate learning. This is a valid point, and does not deserve to be mocked. She's not catastrophizing, she's literally just describing her experience and sharing her professional recommendation for how to handle tech in PK classrooms.

I think you need to take a break from this thread.

She was being snide about how much better she is than other teachers that, gasp, show their kids a video. And weirdly fixated on the cart. Her concerns have very little to do with the needs of older kids.