Hawk Ridge Elementary, one of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' "bring your own technology" pioneers, has launched a new twist: The PTA is asking people to donate their old tablets, e-readers, phones and laptops to bolster the supply for kids to use in class.
The "Donate to Educate" drive was rolled out just after Christmas, when people were most likely to be replacing their old stuff with the newest gizmos. A parent volunteered to scrub the devices of embedded files and personal data, so they'll be suitable for classroom use with no privacy breaches for donors. Debra Willis, a member of the school leadership team, and others started spreading the word, not only through school channels but to coworkers and neighbors.
Lots of people told Willis it was a great idea. But so far, actual donations have been slow -- maybe seven or eight devices total, she said.
Instead of giving up, she's gearing up another round of emails and reminding would-be donors she'll make it easy on them. They can drop donations at the school's front office or contact her (704-968-5887 or debrakwillis@yahoo.com) for a personal pick-up.
Even obsolete technology is accepted; Willis says any unusable donations will be sold to a company that buys "junk technology."
"Depending on how much we get, we will use the money to fund minor repairs such as key replacements or buy more refurbished devices for kids to use in our BYOT program," Willis said.
While we're on the BYOT beat, I thought I'd re-offer a link to a helpful cyber awareness guide for parents put out by Bailey Middle School. I posted an item about it the morning of Jan. 25, but we all got sidetracked by the sleet that closed school early that day. If you have kids who are using digital devices, the Bailey guide is worth a read.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Bring your old technology
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75 comments:
Donating old technology equals the continued dumbing down of students.
These days, if you don't have a minmum 6 gigs of RAM, you're already out of date. Some machines won't accept upgrades of more than 4 gigs.
Also, who is going to pay for legal software for these machines? What operating system will they run? Will all be on Windows 7? XP that isn't even supported anymore?
Admirable idea, but sell the equipment for scrap and use the proceeds for something else.
Also, I wouldn't trust anyone to "wipe my personal information clean" from a donated computer.
Bad idea for so many reasons. Elementary students need to focus on learning the basics, they do not need to bring in their own personal (expensive) devices to school everyday to learn. This has already caused too many distractions in the classroom. The devices are NOT being used during "specified" learning times as is stated in the CMS BYOT material. Ann, please ask how these devices are being monitored/supervised and managed in the classroom and on the bus rides to and from school? They aren't.
Anon 7:55am
So if you sit your kid in the corner of your living room with an iPad are you now "home schooling"?
8:16,
Then that's the new definition of administrators with their personal portable shopping device provided by the taxpayers?
CMS is endorsing the use of tech devices for our youngest learners. We do not need to perpetuate the problem with kids attached to tech devices. What they're learning is to be dependent on these devices for thinking and entertainment. Parents are already trying to create some balance in their family lives with technology and now CMS is perpetuating the problem.
Students already know how to Google, cut & paste and word process. Wouldn't it make more sense if the elementary schools limited the use to 1 day a week, "Technology Tuesdays"? Teachers could certainly plan appropriate lessons for that day, instead of having these devices available every day, all day.
BYOT - can you say classroom babysitting service at the expense of the parents?
I dont like the direction the BYOT is headed. I am told this is going to be in every CMS school next year. I dont think they are prepared for that , but thats what they are saying. For a teacher to post a "lesson or objective" on a board then let the kids go chase matter on Goggle is not learning. How many of us have been talking to someone in the a business manner when they reach for a buzzing phone or tablet? I refuse to go on or go over matter that I have already spoken about when they were too busy to pay attention. If we are teaching our kids in this manner its poor for the future. I am okay with a hour or two of reasearch or reading a day. Technology is not the end all folks as we saw at the Super Bowl without power their is no game. Keith W. Hurley
8:45 Agree. Just the latest generation of people who will be dependent on a screen in their face to think and speak for them. And don't we already have a problem with obesity and ADHD in this country?
Ann, who made this decision to have elementary students bring in i-phones and i-pads to school everyday? As a CMS parent, i cannot support this.
When will CMS send permission slips home to obtain parental permission for the use of devices that will allow elementary school-aged children to surf the web, without adult supervision?
Oh, I know the CMS WiFi will restrict where the WiFi only devices can go, but what about the 3G/4G devices that don't require WiFi to access the internet?
CMS is using this latest technology fad as a way to "manage/supervise" the students in the growing classrooms.
Shame on you CMS!!!
9:01,
Great points! My daughter's friend takes an 4G iPhone to school that does not require CMS' WiFi to access the internet, and he surfs the web under his desk while the teacher is not even aware.
It's been awhile since I've had elementary aged children but don't the classrooms have computers?
As a parent I appreciate the comments being made by many of the previous posters but technology is here to stay. I do agree that this program might be more beneficial for the middle and high schools. I do not think CMS has fully planned or thought the program out though, and the latest and newest isn't necessarily going to increase any test scores.
Classic CMS!
Fire!
Ready!
Aim!
Someone needs to get a grip on the best that's being unleashed in our public elementary school classrooms.
Seems like someone's principal is using their kids to further his career....
Classic CMS!!!
How will CMS handle that loss of and damage to personal technology devices that these students bring into the classroom?
Will CMS assume responsibility, or will they send little Johnny or Susie home with a note saying "sorry for your loss"?
It would appear that this needs to be through a little more.
Also, who's driving this? The parents through the PTA or the administration through the PTA?
8:16 As a matter of fact, it is reasons like this that so many people in meck county decide to homeschool their children.
I can only hope that the Union County schools will await the results of this program before they jump off the technology cliff.
This seems risky on so many levels..... Personal internet devices in the hands of elementary school aged kids.. Really?
I'm surprised the PTA is on board with this, yet, the students seem to be all in!
Fun times at school for these kids....
I seriously doubt many people told the PTA president (listed incorrectly in the article) this was a great idea. That would mean that the PTA actually interacts and informs the parents of what is going on.
Ann, You seem to have just written an article in the Observer about a new pay for performance scheme at CMS. You mentioned that participation may be "voluntary," without even questioning whether this would make the scheme practically useless. As a journalist, shouldn't you at least ask the question: why enact a new pay system to instill accountability if participation is to be voluntary?
Laws restrict what schools serve for lunch. Otherwise the kids would eat ice cream and cookies!
8:58, CMS central administrators (actually individuals who have since left the district) launched the idea of districtwide BYOT. The new crew slowed it down, and at this point schools are deciding how to use it. Some schools are doing a lot with student use, while others are limiting BYOT to faculty.
9:45, it's CMS policy that families assume liability for any devices they send. They sign something acknowledging that before they send the kids to school with home devices.
10:05, thanks for the correction on PTA president. I have revised to say Ms. Willis is on the SLT.
10:11, there are a truckload of questions to be answered about any performance pay plan. CMS doesn't actually have a plan yet. When they submit one to the state, I (and many others) will delve deeper into the specifics.
Ann, ON BYOT CMS form parents are to sign. Thats correct a parent does sign and child pledges to a policy of use. CMS also in the early stages of BYOT wants "pods" os students to huddle around one students device to use. I hold my children responsible as a parent for the $600 device that I buy. I do not want them sharing or letting other students using their device. As many have pointed out what happens when its stolen or broken? Parents/students are responsible and I think to ask students to share the technology devices is a poor communication by CMS. Say on a iPad they sharing student drops the device thats a $160- repair. I dont want my kids to put the other student in jeopardy of asking his parents for $160-. Keith W. Hurley
Sure, the "technology is here to stay".
But so is television and radio.
Do you want the school to allow your children to watch TV and listen to the radio all day?
I find it interesting that CMS is pushing Hawk Ridge as the leader in technology. Especially since the PTA and SLT websites haven't been updated since the fall. Most the teachers do not have updated websites wither. Irony at its best.
We don’t need “technology” in elementary schools. They need to be OUT of chairs more often, not in them. Let them be the social animals we are meant to be; not teach them how to isolate, we’ve seen in recent months what that does!
Ann,
After spending over 20 years with technology implementation, I applaud Hawk Ridge for embracing this new educational medium. They're acting as an "early adopter", so they will be able to provide many lessons learned for the rest of CMS.
I hope that this information will be widely shared for the benefit of the entire CMS community.
Ann, how will we know how this implementation "really" goes?
11:30 , It cannot be said another way. You hit the nail on the head. CMS is putting the minds of young creators in boxes. The growth will be limited and we will have a generation of emailers with 0 personality.
Not to mention the millions of dollars that CMS is spending to maybe roll out the BYOT to all the schools. They have wasted of $1 million on salaries downtown at a minimum to date and the big chief left for Atlanta. Meanwhile Iredell County has used technology for years at a reduced cost and is a national model for such a system. CMS is just too big to handle a project like this without screwing it up. In order to get the Broad Prize (remember) Bill Gates a major supporter of Broad has forced his influence on CMS along with other large districts in the U.S..
11:37
"Early adopter" of "new educational medium"?
Perhaps "trial and error laboratory" of "latest educational fad"?
Alicia
11:37,
Technology driven change in visible everywhere.
When can we expect teachers to be eliminated altogether, or reduced even more?
Does this school's PTA support technology replacing teachers?
I spent kindergarten and 1st grade learning the metric system because this was considered critical to becoming a future global citizen.
By 2nd grade, "whole" language was the innovative rage.
By 3rd grade, I was fully indoctrinated in "new" math.
By 5th grade, the U.S. federal government mandated cross-town forced busing.
By 8th grade, I was no longer required to take Home Economics to learn how to sew and cook but was required to learn football in something new called a "co-ed" P.E. class.
By my sophomore year of college, "A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform" was published by the Commission of Excellence in Education.
Alicia
"Bring Your Own Technology"? should be called "Bring Your Own Teacher"?
Yes, my elementary school was an "early adopter" of the metric system which may explain why I can avoid an international speeding ticket in, say, France but not so much in Rutherfordton County.
Alicia
Ann,
How can CMS absolve themselves of responsibility for the loss of, or damage to devices that are used in their classrooms at their request?
Any lawyers care to comment?
Seems like this whole deal is awfully short sited.
"Bring your old technology" seems so new and exciting.
Ann, what studies exist to show how this will improve the educational outcome?
My head is spinning with this information. Now parents of kindergartners are expected to buy their kids I-phones?
Personal Technology Device
To encourage growth, creativity, collaboration, and higher achievement, with the Superintendent’s authorization, students will be permitted to bring Personal Technology Devices (“PTD”) to school to use to support student education, research, and career development.
A PTD is a portable Internet-accessing device designed to share information, record sounds, process words, and/or capture images, such as a laptop, tablet, smart phone, cell phone, PDA, or e-book reader.
http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/CIO/Documents/Internet%20Acceptable%20Use%20Policy.pdf
glad I live in Union county.
Student Acceptable Use Policy
Before students are given access to the Internet from CMS computers or
otherwise allowed to use the CMS network, they must accept the terms of the “Student Internet Use Agreement.” This Agreement defines the educational objectives and guidelines for use, informs student users that their online activities
are subject to monitoring, and sets forth unacceptable uses that may lead to revocation of access and possible legal action. Parents of students younger than age 18 who do not want their children to use the CMS network and/or to access
the Internet at school must notify the school in writing.
VIII. Disclaimer
CMS is not responsible for theft, loss, or damages to any PTD brought to school, or any injuries suffered as a result of a student’s use of the CMS network or a PTD. Students and parents maintain sole responsibility for all PTDs brought to school.
1:44,
Who is monitoring the PTD use when this use is occurring under the student's desk, and hidden from the teacher's view?
Who is monitoring the PTD use when this use is occurring on the school bus and the bus driver is focused on driving through traffic?
Bad idea, bad idea, bad idea!
to 1:10 You are right on. It is technology all in the name of education so it must be good.
Mary S.
And Dr. Morrison wonders why people are moving their children to other school districts?
Alicia,
That would be Rutherford County, not Rutherfordton County. Rutherfordton is the city in Rutherford County.
"To encourage growth, creativity, collaboration, and higher achievement".
Don't you just love it when education experts throw around the word "creative"? It just makes me want to crawl under my little desk as I was required to do in elementary school as a safety measure in case the Russians attacked.
"Encourage" is an interesting word. In other words, CMS hasn't committed to saying that IPads have actually been proven to increase creativity, collaboration and higher academic achievement - it just HOPES having kindergartners bring their own IPads to class is a means to meet this goal. And anyone who's lived in Charlotte for more than 10 minutes knows how much faith and hope our community has in CMS.
Of course technology (as a tool) needs to continue to be integrated into the classroom - this is the world we live in. However, is this the best way to do it? Smart boards have been around for a while. Have they markedly improved academic achievement?
*Math tip for the day:
* I think Khan Academy is the BEST website for learning or relearning basic math skills. The funny thing is, the visual demonstrations are EXACTLY like I learned math using nothing but an old-fashioned lecture style chalkboard. "Retro" math - the good kind! I think Khan Academy is funded by the Bill Gates foundation so I'll give Bill a thumbs up on this one. There are great lessons on other subjects as well. I throughly enjoyed the video on Jackson Pollack.
Alicia
2:50
Tom-A-to, Tom-AU-To.
Glad I'm able to contribute to the good citizens of Rutherford County - near Rutherfordton. Heard they got good schools here.
Alicia
10:11 - there needs to be a opt in/opt out mechanism for any new pay plan. New teachers will be placed on the new plan, but such a plan may not be advantageous to some people, such as those near retirement. They came in under one set of rules and they need to be allowed to continue under those set of rules. (this has nothing to do with slack teachers; this has to do with LEGAL realities).
At some point all teachers will be on the new plan. (See Denver's ProComp for a rationale for opt in/opt out.) If the plan is equitable AND has teachers developing it then it other teachers are FAR more likely to buy in. (research CTAC (Community Training and Assistance Center) and Compensation Reform.)
Do with, not to.
Frankly whatever CMS comes up with could be completely ignored within the legislature. Or it could be a starting point to design a plan that will take what teachers do into account and help compensate them accordingly. Not reward, but compensate.
2:24- CMS is way ahead of you (NOT). Heath Morrisons right hand guy Millard House is now crafting a plan to market CMS to bring back families that left. And I am not talking about going door to door like Morrison tried already. This is the most ridiculous thing I have heard from CMS in at least a month. Families that have left would laugh in your face is CMS asked them to come back. CMS thinks they can just recreate a new reputation overnight. Look at your board 3 or 4 of them dont speak english. You want kids to BYOT , but ebonics is spoken by your board of ED? Come on folks!
I have 3 children at Hawk ridge and I will not be buying them i-pads or i-phones. Sorry!
Ann, sounds like CMS is venturing into unchartered digital territory. What other school systems have implemented a Bring your tech policy? Is there any data on increased academic performance using i-pads in the class? What is the purpose ot his program? Don't cms classrooms already have computers for the students to use? These are all legitimate questions cms should respond to.
4:11
Educational Objective - 3.72 (rounded to the nearest 10th)
3.72 - To encourage families to come back to CMS in the spirit of growth, creativity, collaboration and high achievement.
Well, one surefire way to meet this objective is to hire Mr. Glenn Singleton. Why would CMS spend it's money on a "Courageous Conversation" about leaving the system? Is anybody listening? Does anybody really care? (Somedays, I miss Vilma).
Alicia
We mock what we don't understand. If any of today's CMS students stumble upon this thread 10-15 years from now they won't believe what they're reading.
Hawk Ridge and by extension CMS are looking to use technology as a tool, not a replacement.
If you're wary of the technology, why not take a little bit of time and read up on it and understand a little more of how it can be used effectively - it'll do your blood pressure a whole lot more good than all this negativity.
This is also a school that has a Fun Run where the company running the event takes half the profits. Its a shame that they are not direct with the parents on that little fact. Most parents have no idea that the money they kids are begging their relative to donate doesn't all go to the school. Shame on them! Shame on the school to allow this.
Jeff Wise,
PTL for technology used as a tool and not as a replacement for classroom teachers.
This being said, I believe in proceeding with hyped-up claims of "growth, creativity, collaboration and academic miracles" with caution.
Alicia
Dear Jeff Wise, you don't spend much time in the classroom do you?
The posters here have legitimate concerns about a program that has young children being encouraged by their teachers to become even more dependent on gadgets for stimulation, entertainment and information. These devices can be helpful for some areas of instruction on a limited basis under the supervision of a teacher. But they can also cause more distractions for easily distractable little ones. Maybe, as someone earlier stated, it is being used as a babysitter in school, I do not know. Parents use tech devices and tvs for babysitters all the time, doesn't make it right or the kids any smarter.
Mary S.
Jeff,
It isn't the technology.
It isn't fear of technology.
We know technology can be effective.
What IT is, is the fact CMS can't do anything right and without a comprehensive plan to tie all the technology together, it will be a disaster.
Too many questions, not enough answers is what many of us are "wary" of.
9:00
As a former PTO president, I'm happy to spread THE TRUTH about fundraisers.
If you want 100% of YOUR donated money going directly to YOUR school, to directly benefit YOUR children, then under NO! circumstances do you contribute to a fundraiser that has any affiliation with an outside fundraising company. School fundraising companies are all about making a profit for THEMSELVES. At best, an outside school fundraising company will leave your school with 40% of THEIR profits. And I repeat, 40% of THEIR profits.
The very best way to financially contribute to your school is through a donation made directly to your PTA/PTO. If you happen to work for a large company that has a matching grant program - even better! As a donator, you are allowed to designate where you want your money to go. In other words, if you want your money to go to the Chess Team, the Science Olympiad team, and the Dance and Drama Club - you can do this. In some cases, this may require bypassing the PTA altogether and donating directly to your school. I'm not a fan - at all - of the National PTA. PTO's have a lot more flexibility in their governance and how they chose to raise money. The best way to raise money? -a school play or a school musical. Parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and 3rd cousins twice-removed will all show up and pay to see their little Ashley-Leigh and Juan Jr. perform on stage.
Bottom line: never-ever give to the Cookie Dough or Holiday Gift Wrapping Drive. Give directly to your PTA/PTO or your school's general collection fund.
Skip the gift wrapping paper drive, the cookie dough fundraiser, the cheese cake extravaganza, and the Fun Run for School Bucks that leaves most companies with a 60% profit margin and your school with a 40% profit margin.
Just say no.
Alicia
Uh-oh Jeff...
I don't think this is a matter of dissing "technology" as much as the misuse of technology.
My kids already have enough of the latest gadgets. And I like technology.
And we've gone over the "control" issue before. I still like it for the younger kids, such as those at the elementary school age.
Basically, I think the home can provide better control than the schools.
If left to their own devices (heh!) kids will just watch videos and play games on these things all day.
It's true. I've watched mine do it.
Until I put on the control software, that is.
Kids already waste enough time in schools as it is without more distractions.
CMS Education fad du jour. please stop jumping on every bandwagon as it moves through town. Please focus on the basics, teach our children "real" things, not how to play more video games, all in the name of Education.
For those who don't know, my wife's a middle school band director in CMS and our son is a kindergartner.
My wife uses technology all over the place to supplement her teaching the ability of her students to more effectively learn their music and master their instruments.
In reality, her use of Smart Music has increased her workload by easily a few hours a week, but the results she gets are tremendous. The point is, technology is one tool in her box to help her teach.
I will agree that CMS has some obvious holes in their tech policies, but I applaud them moving forward with the concept. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt that over time they will improve the process and policies.
But to not even try something like this is worse than failing.
Mr. Wise, most would agree that using technology can support instruction, especially appropriate with middle and high schoolers. But allowing K-5 graders access to video games all day on their PTD is something completely different. We are all for Technology being used in a wise, sensible and responsible way. That is not what is currently happening in some of the BYOT schools.
To Jeff 8:58 You are missing the point of most of the posters here. Parents do not have a problem with teachers using technology in the class. Parents are concerned with the students having unlimited access to technology and their PTD.
Thank you,
Mary S.
Mr. Wise,
All of your points about technology and its' potential benefits are valid. To those without any knowledge of how the PTD's are being used it all must sound great and wonderful, lots of buzz words and exciting promises. For those of us with experience with PTD's in our children's classrooms, there is a disconnect between what is and what should be happening. Thus, the concerns being posted.
Part of the problem with the educrats is their assumption that parents are automatically ignorant about technology.
That's just not the case.
Plenty of parents know about this technology and use it every day.
So they can't be snowed by claims that technology increases creativity, productivity, etc., etc. when they know it is more likely used for facebook, texting, and playing games.
We need proof that the technology is being used properly.
Jeff, (the music software sounds like a good use) and I'm sure there are good uses in math and science as well.
I'd like to see more of the reasons for using the technology presented before just allowing tech toys to be brought into the classroom.
At least have a plan.
Shamash,
Great points!
CMS too often seems to act as if they know better than the CMS parents on issues pertaining to their child's education, and now about the use of technology devices. Many times this might be correct, but I agree with you that with technology device use it's not. On the subject of PTD's, some parents may be willing to give their kids anything and everything they want (iPhones, iPads, etc.), while others may not be so inclined.
There in lies the rub. The parents inclined to give their kids PTD's may have no issue here, while the parents trying to limit/restrict PTD use do.
The take away is that CMS should take more time and make more of an effort to understand where their parents stand on this before so fully embracing PTD use in the younger aged classrooms.
I fully understand the concerns that students are being babysat by devices or ignoring their teachers and surfing all day long.
The student surfing problem sounds like a lack of self-control or ability to pay attention on the student's part. The babysitting claim would be poor classroom management by the teacher. Either way, that's easy to fix.
I'll posit that a good teacher - even if they're not strong with technology - will not have issues with students misusing technology.
I also understand a student may use their LTE signal to bypass the school's wifi and web-filtering to surf sites that are not allowed. But isn't that essentially the same thing as passing notes in class or shooting spitballs or sleeping?
I had a classmate in 7th grade who drew inappropriate pictures in class on his loose leaf paper, but the school didn't ban pencils and paper, they gave him detention and that was that.
It's going to take some time for the technology use to settle into the classrooms as well as giving individual teachers the ability to figure out how to best use it. I appreciate the concerns that are being expressed and wonder if teachers and administrators are being told this too, or if it's just easier to vent anonymously in these comments.
I still believe the sooner students see the technology as ubiquitous and learn to use it as a tool to complement their education the better. Sometimes you have to make mistakes along the way in order to find the best overall path of use.
Please see the most recently posted HRSLT meeting minutes from the 9/4/12 HRSLT meeting @ http://hrslt.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/
PTD was clearly a topic of discussion during 9/4/12 meeting of the HRSLT, however why aren't there are any more recent HRSLT meeting minutes posted on the HRES website?
For a school so enthusiastic about the use of technology in the classroom, why isn't the school making better use of technology to communicate with the school community.
Strong year for innovative technology use included 53 iPads funded and the disbursement of Smart Boards in every classroom.
Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Update
o CMS effort scaled back to be a pilot program for 20 schools
o Hawk Ridge has requested to be part of the program and is completing a BYOT Readiness
survey. As part of this process, SLT will be sending out a short survey to parents asking
for feedback on BYOT.
o Hawk Ridge will be notified in Sept/Oct if chosen for the BYOT pilot school.
Mr. Wise,
Your most recent comment is exactly why there are so many "former" CMS families.
Essentially you are saying that CMS may not have their act together today, but someday they will. So, parents should simply trust them with their child and everything will be okay.
Not a winning nor reassuring argument!
I also understand a student may use their LTE signal to bypass the school's wifi and web-filtering to surf sites that are not allowed. But isn't that essentially the same thing as passing notes in class or shooting spitballs or sleeping?
Will all possible respect! Since when is surfing porn sites the same thing as passing notes, shooting spitballs or sleeping in class?
The HR November 2012 PTA Newsletter:
http://hawkridgepta.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/
Typical CMS.
Let's just throw everything at the wall and see what sticks...
Annoymous at 1:13 -are you implying that its acceptable to only have a November 2012 newsletter and its now Feb? Check out the SLT page-no updates since their last meeting. Are they quiet for a reason?
2:27,
And if it doesn't stick, oh well, we tried our best....
2:39, Just pointing out how this school communicates with its' parents - not suggesting anything malicious.
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