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They definitely don't photocopy reading materials in my kid's classes. They do print out math worksheets, but not reading.
A tablet or laptop is so much more versatile than a single book, though. It's like having a library right there in each kid's hands, y'know?
Not really. A library is filled with lots of shared, free resources that would need to be purchased as electronic content on a per-user basis.
Sure there is the Internet, Wikipedia, Google etc. as information sources, but those are all available using inexpensive stationary computers (which could be in the classroom, or the library) that could be someone's yesteryear donated discards instead of an expensive tablet. And, unlike tablets they do not run the risk of getting in the way of learning, because of their physical placement. When a computer is in a designated area, kids can be allowed to use them at designated research times. When a teacher is lecturing, the kids should be giving the teacher their attention and not fiddling with electronic devices, developing their listening skills.
Quote:
Originally Posted by poppydog
Google has a great educational suite. My kids do research, share docs with classmates and their teachers. I was volunteering in the library today when the 2nd graders came in to do research on their bug unit. They use some reference books, but mostly it's all done on laptops and iPads with the google doc shared with their teacher, just like you might do at work.
I'm not denying the value of online educational resources, I just think iPads and laptops make more sense after a certain age. There is plenty of time for kids to start to do things the way they will in the workforce later, maybe high school age. At that time they can have a part-time job and buy these devices themselves, they way they will in the real-world, instead of being taught that someone else will always provide high-tech "necessities" (that aren't really necessities at all) that ultimately provide distractions.
When I was in the third grade, I'm not aware of a single peer, neighbor, friend of the family, or even hearing in the news about any kid that needed medications in order to remain focused and on task at school. Yet these days, it seems like a good percentage of these kids are medicated zombies with "special learning needs" that have been diagnosed with this or that. Seems like everyone of these special needs kids I've seen recently has their nose buried in a phone or tablet. Wonder if there's a connection there?
When I was in the third grade, I'm not aware of a single peer, neighbor, friend of the family, or even hearing in the news about any kid that needed medications in order to remain focused and on task at school. ?
And yet we all remember the class clown, the kid who couldn't sit still and was failing, the kid who was always throwing things at people at recess and always in the principal's office, the kid who couldn't read in 4th grade, the kid who flapped his hands when he got upset and the kid who didn't go to school at all because he was "retarded". Yep, those were the good ole days.
pdocstr, you keep mentioning when you were in third grade. I'm guessing that was quite a few years ago? Do you have any more recent experience with third grade as a teacher or parent or volunteer? Things have changed quite a bit. My youngest is in 5th grade this year and as I mentioned I do volunteer in the school.
Unless each classroom has iPads or computers for each student you will see kids not being able to access the computers because another class has them. I saw that happen just yesterday. I would have no problem if the school provided 1:1 laptops or tablets for my kids, but I do think the school should provide them and not require the parents to. If the school technology officer maintains them then you can set some restrictions on what software and apps are on them. I don't hear about breakage at my kids' school other than the kind of crashes you might have at home. I've never seen an iPad with a busted screen at school, fwiw. Not saying it couldn't happen, but I've never seen it.
pdocstr, you keep mentioning when you were in third grade. I'm guessing that was quite a few years ago? Do you have any more recent experience with third grade as a teacher or parent or volunteer? Things have changed quite a bit. My youngest is in 5th grade this year and as I mentioned I do volunteer in the school.
I agree with poppydog here. You know it seems that people want things both ways. They do not want to pay more for schools but we should be excelling with no resources. You are paying a minimum now and the state has cut textbook spending to a measly $15 per child/year NC education spending on decades-long slide :: WRAL.com. Yes, in WCPSS kids use photocopies for reading and math in 3rd grade! Now if you do not want a massive increase in your taxes to provide a computer per child then it is time to allow for BYOD. It does not need to be a new or expensive device to get the job done. Truthfully, I would think a stripped down device would offer less distractions but this will at the parents discretion.
Yes, in WCPSS kids use photocopies for reading and math in 3rd grade!
My son is in 2nd in WCPSS and its our first foray into public school. We got relocated to this area last summer, previously he's been in private schools (and will be going back into one next year). I definitely wasn't prepared for the utter lack of textbooks in the classroom. My wife is the class "copy Mom", which apparently is a big help to the teacher, as she goes in on Monday's, and makes that week's copies for the teacher, so the teacher can focus on higher value activities (like teaching). I had no idea that a "copy Mom" was an actual need.
Wake74, I don't think that is a universal need. Maybe just your school/classroom?
I wish someone with kids in Orange County Schools or Chatham County Schools would chime in and tell us how the 1:1 laptop programs are working for them. Frankly, BYOD seems kinda cheapskate-ish. I am happy to pay higher Orange County and Chapel Hill taxes to support our schools.
NYCANC, if you're still reading this thread, there are knock-off life proof cases out there that you might investigate. I have one for my iPhone. It cost under $4 on Amazon.
My son is in 2nd in WCPSS and its our first foray into public school. We got relocated to this area last summer, previously he's been in private schools (and will be going back into one next year). I definitely wasn't prepared for the utter lack of textbooks in the classroom. My wife is the class "copy Mom", which apparently is a big help to the teacher, as she goes in on Monday's, and makes that week's copies for the teacher, so the teacher can focus on higher value activities (like teaching). I had no idea that a "copy Mom" was an actual need.
It's probably something Teacher's Aides used to do, before so many of them were laid off.
I went through student teaching "back in the day", and there was a school employee who did all the photocopying--for tests, teachers would lock them in a lockbox and she would copy them. I guess these jobs are gone now, too, if they have volunteers to do it.
NYCANC, if you're still reading this thread, there are knock-off life proof cases out there that you might investigate. I have one for my iPhone. It cost under $4 on Amazon.
Thanks! I went to Target yesterday and picked up an Otterbox but I can always return it.
Tomorrow is the meeting for BYOD. I will have to make my decision after the meeting since the school is rolling the pilot out to our class next week.
Yesterday in carpool, I saw a 4th/5th grader carrying a laptop case!
I think I mentioned before that our school has 4 iPads and 4 laptops per classroom.
Also our school has a subscription to Big Universe (reading), Study Island, Front Row math that the kids are using now on these devices.
We do not use textbooks. My 3rd grader does have one book for vocabulary that I know we use weekly. Everything else is either online or copied.
My 3rd graders teacher also has blogs online so we can access most homework (math and ELA) online and submit homework that way so no need for printouts. She uses my Mac for that.
Does anyone know why there is no funding for technology (eg tablets) in WCPSS classrooms? Is it budgeting or policy?
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