This post outlines the content of each workshop with an outline of the questions we hope to answer and the concerns we hope to address:
Workshop 1
What will this look like in Classrooms?
Thursday 8th May 5:30 – 6:30
Staffroom
“A
typical day with Chromebooks … including hands on opportunities to explore how
the Chromebook works.”
Questions raised around this theme based on emails received and "post it" charts at the parent evening:
- What is the expected life of a Chromebook?
- What kind of device will parents need to access the portal?
- What access is there to the print server?
- What will teaching in maths look like – do they just learn off the web now?
- Will there be a keyboard skills component to teaching?
- Will there still be traditional reading, writing etc (don’t want devices to take over)?
- How will Chromebooks help to better cater for different ability levels?
- How will Communication skills be developed… this looks like less personal interaction with teacher and each other?
- How will Chromebooks support pure curriculum (numeracy literacy)?
- Will there be time wasted learning basic computer skills when my child should be focusing on foundation learning?
- Will there be training for parents on how to use the Chromebook?
- What about homework... Will I be expected to have Wifi/broadband at home?
- What charging facilities will be provided at school for these devices?
Workshop 2
How can we protect our learners?
Tuesday 13th May 5:30 – 6:30
Staffroom
“Including Discussion on Digital Citizenship,
Cyberbullying, Email Protocols etc.”
Questions raised around this theme based on emails received and "post it" charts at the parent evening:
- What is the school’s cyber bullying strategy?
- How will my child learn to filter all the crap on the web?
- What controls will there be to protect my child’s identity?
- Will I be able to see all my child’s online communications?
- How can I prevent them download software onto the Chromebook without my permission?
- I want to make sure my child will not be left behind if they choose to run and play in the weekends.
- How will we manage the increase of screen time?
- Will the school enable access to unmonitored social media like facebook or twitter?
- Will Chromebooks have unlimited access to Youtube, Google etc?
- Are we making our children innocent targets?
Tech Think Tank Meeting
Further Financial Considerations
Thursday Wednesday 14th May 6:00 – 7:00
Staffroom
Including
discussion on rental options, insurance considerations, sponsorship/donation of
individual machines.
Questions raised around this theme based on emails received and "post it" charts at the parent evening:
- My excess won’t cover it, why should I bear all the risk?
- It is irresponsible for the school to suggest retail finance… what other options are there for those that can't afford it?
- What other costs will there be? Can we have a full cost break down… bags, mice etc)?
NB: Most questions from the post its at the parent evening
have been answered either on the evening or through the supplementary FAQs (click here to access),
this session will predominantly be to discuss/explore other options as outlined in italics above.
Workshop 3
How can we ensure the safety of devices?
Thursday 15th May 5:30 – 6:30
Staffroom
“Including
discussion on care of devices, insurance considerations etc.”
Questions raised around this theme based on emails received and "post it" charts at the parent evening:
- Who will care for the safety of devices after school at sports practices etc?
- What if a drink bottle leaks onto the Chromebook?
- Potential for this to be lost / stolen / damaged?
- My excess won’t cover it, why should I bear all the risk?
- How will Chromebooks be stored/looked after before school?
- What about during assembly times or when classes go out for PE?
Hi, wondering when the issue that BOTs cannot actually force families to buy these devices is going to be discussed? As plenty of families at Maungaraki of are not going to purchase devices. Be good to bring this into the open and have an assurance from the school that these children will not be disadvantaged by their parents choosing to exercise their right not to purchase.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 9, of the Supplementary FAQ document (link above) addresses this. It has never been the BOTs intention to disadvantage any child.
DeleteI’ve heard similar comments from a couple of parents around school – choosing not to purchase a device, but wanting assurance that their child will not be disadvantaged. I find such comments confusing. These parents can obviously see the benefits of their child having a device because they are concerned that children without a device will be disadvantaged. However, even though they can afford a device, they are choosing not to purchase one. It seems that they want their child to have the advantages of using a device, but they don’t want to pay the cost - I’m sure that’s not their intended meaning, but it’s just the way it comes across when they make those comments.
DeleteAlso, I’m not sure about the comment about plenty of families not purchasing devices. Most of the parents I’ve talked to are happy to purchase devices – a few have purchased chromebooks already. Some generous parents have even offered to donate devices to the school so that children don’t miss out. I suppose those devices will go to the children whose parents are choosing not to purchase devices, but don’t want their children to be disadvantaged? Opposite sides of the same coin I suppose. I know which group has my respect.
Personally, I choose to purchase devices for my children.
Just to clarify the comment about donated devices... There are 3 very generous families who have offered to donate devices for the use of those who cannot afford one. This is a different scenario than those who choose not to. The school has purchased a pool of devices for the shared use of those who choose not to, these will not go home, but will be available to support learning in class. We have yet to determine exactly how the donated devices will be allocated/used, but my interpretation is that the donated devices would be treated just like individually purchased machines - donated for the use of those who have a need. There will be more discussion around this at the Think Tank meeting on Wednesday night.
DeleteJust to follow-up on the previous commenter, I am one of those parents who does not want to purchase a device. I have a number of reasons for this, which I won't go into here, but I have taken the opportunity to discuss these with Lisa. I think there is a danger that the decision to purchase or not purchase a device is perceived as some sort of value judgement on whether you value your child's education or not. There willl be people who are right into it and have bought one already - all power to you. Others, like myself, will have their own reasons for not purchasing a device, that may not necessarily be financial. This doesn't mean that I am looking for a free ride for my child (I pay the school donation which is also voluntary and have contributed in other ways). One of the ideas I would like to hear discussed at the meeting on Wednesday night is whether those parents who do not want to purchase a device can contribute in some way to the purchase of a bank of devices that stay at school and can be used by classes over a number of years. cheers, Stephen
DeleteThanks for this Stephen. It sounds like you have a positive solution to help us achieve our goals. I look forward to hearing more about and discussing your suggestion tomorrow night.
DeleteAs per the FAQs document, I'd be interested to know which schools initially implemented a BYOD policy then changed to 1:1 device. Were they primary schools? Which ones?
ReplyDeleteAlso, it seems that schools that implement a successful BYOD policy specify criteria that the devices must fit within - it's not a matter of parents supplying any device they choose. Is that your understanding? The FAQ document seems to imply that parents could choose any device they like.
All schools who have implemented BYOD initiatives have done so in different ways, with different criteria, using different definitions, to suit different purposes. The reasons for the success (or failure) of a BYOD initiative should be looked at in context, rather than as isolated 'statistics'. Our decision to specify a device has come from looking first at the teaching practices we want to be able to utilise in our classrooms, then has been informed by the experiences of a range of other schools.
DeleteI am more than happy to share the information I have in my research from other schools in person. To provide full contexts for this research is just not possible in a forum such as this.
Hi Lisa, can you confirm the time of the meeting on Wednesday to discuss financial considerations? I've seen a notice elsewhere that had it starting at 6pm. Thanks, Stephen
ReplyDeleteGosh - that's what happens when you copy and paste. Yes, the Think Tank meetings have always been 6:00 or later... It is 6:00 in the newsletter, I got it wrong in this post. My apologies and thank you for pointing it out - now corrected.
DeleteI too am a parent who does not want to purchase a device. The reasons for this are many and varied, and I have shared these with Lisa, like Steven. I have also contributed to the school in the past via payment of school donations, giving up my free time to volunteer at the school, and have been on the home and school committee. I am not looking for a free ride here.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see the school look at some alternatives for funding the purchase of devices, my main concern with the initiative as it was originally presented to us was that 'parents will pay for and own' the devices', and the suggestion that if parents couldn't afford to purchase outright they should look at financing. There are too many families out there struggling to feed their families let alone finding money for a device, so I have always felt and/or maintained that the school should be making a much bigger effort to ensure that these families do not feel obliged to put themselves in further debt. Indeed the school charter says:
Funding – alternate sources or grants We must consider other sources of funds and fundraising opportunities outside of the direct Maungaraki community, so that the same people are not always being asked to contribute. The school seeks to maximise the value gained from charitable organisations for identified priority items. We have the opportunity to involve the local council in the Beautification Project as the playing fields and driveways are Council property.
This is what I believe we should be focusing on here, and like Steven I look forward to hearing the different ways that those of us who do choose not to purchase can positively contribute to development of a bank of devices that can be used at the school for many years to come.
I am also a parent that does not wish to purchase a device. It has NOTHING to do about whether or not I can afford that device. In the case of my children, I will always find the means to buy what they need. I need to be convinced that it is necessary for my child to have her own device in the classroom, and as yet, I have not been convinced. She has access to as much technology as she needs at home, she always has.
ReplyDeleteIt is about the HOW. It's about HOW we've come to this decision, HOW it has been communicated, HOW it's going to help my child. I don't believe there has been a full and complete consultation process. This affects the entire school. We should have heard about it long before the booklet came home at the end of Term One TELLING me I was going to buy a device for my 10 year old.
I have always paid my donations, I have volunteered hours of my time in committees and supporting learning in the classrooms. I have always been supportive of the school and the decision that it makes in terms of my child's learning. But this time, I struggle to understand the rationale, which is why I am choosing not to purchase a device at this time. As a very wise friend of mine says, 'it doesn't pay to be an early adopter'. What if it all falls over in a screaming heap? Then you are stuck with a device that you actually wouldn't choose to buy.
I can understand the initial outrage around the consultation - the school made a mistake with the comms between the two ICT info evenings.
ReplyDeleteBut that's a mistake that they've admitted to and have taken steps to address - the workshops this week are an example of this. It's not like there was a mass conspiracy here - it's just that our school is full of educators wanting to provide the best education for our kids, not change consultants. That's actually a good thing, even if it means they make the odd mistake along the way.
I don't understand the parents who are holding onto that outrage and letting it get in the way of an initiative that demonstrably improves educational outcomes for our children; especially given the digital world we now live in (whether we like it or not).
So to the small group of parents who insist on complaining about being told what to do, please move on / get over it. Our school appears to be trying to give our kids the best possible opportunity to succeed in the new digital world and we should be supporting them.
So thanks, Maungaraki, for being bold and pushing for the best future for our kids. And know that the vast bulk of parents support you in this initiative.
Hi 'Anonymous' and all the other Anonymous's,
DeleteFirstly I am quite impressed by Google docs and what I have seen of it so far, however for me its not so much about the technology, although I want to make sure it is well controlled. That is why I am making a point of asking questions and voicing reservations, how else are you going to evolve something to the point where everyone is satisfied?
Going back to the beginning which I guess is late last year. The biggest issue as I understand it is that we had a case where a small number of people made a decision for a larger number of people, seemingly without the larger group of people even being aware that the decision was being made. Last week we still had parents of year 5 and 6 kids who were stressing because they thought they had to buy a laptop/chromebook until it was made clear to them that they do not - so the message about the proposed 1:1 initiative is still not getting out there.
My feeling is, if you want to buy a chromebook or laptop then go for it, I am holding off because I want to know that ALL of our questions are being answered and that the whole school (including parents of children yet to be involved in potential 1:1 device initiatives) are fully informed and satisfied with the outcomes and levels of protection for our kids. At present I am not satisfied and as we have already paid our donations, have a real doubt in my mind about investing a further $400+ in a chromebook.
At this point I think of it as a school based and school driven initiative, so asking parents to fund and bare the risk of these fairly expensive items still seems like a stretch to me. My mind may change on this but only when we have had all questions answered and corrective actions confirmed.
I dont know if you are at any of the workshops but I have been to two so far and have found them to be very helpful, not only in answering many of the questions but identifying areas of concern for the future eg: what happens to chromebooks between the school gate and home? Are your kids going to be targets? Do the chromebooks have any content filtering built in so if the Telecom hot spot is used outside of Benedicts, or kids use their own WiFi hotspot, what levels of protection are there for those kids and who is responsible etc.
I really have no problem with the school and Lisa generally but I think this initiative has its problems and have no problem putting my name to any concerns raised about them. So if you have an opinion or questions/comments and you want open discussion, see you there tonight. :)
I found out earlier tonight that you can buy these devices on Amazon for $268 NZD, delivered:
Deletehttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FNPD1VW
Several parents have already bought them and the only issue is you need to buy a New Zealand power adapter, seemingly less than $20 (although I don't know the details).
This seems like a fairly modest investment all in all. Just thought I'd mention it, given you (like me) were thinking it was > $400.
Hi all,
DeleteI am writing this carefully as I want to make myself clear.
The open meetings held over the last couple of weeks have been very helpful. I am impressed by the dedication and patience shown by Lisa, Eric, Krista and the BOT/Think-tank group in discussing and addressing parental feedback and would like to thank them all publicly for fronting up over this initiative.
I have said before that questions, objections, and clarification are required in order to evolve something to everybody's satisfaction, this takes time
and patience, and a firm belief that you are doing so with the best of intentions.
I stand by my right to share my concerns and have done so from the start (or as soon as I was aware that there were issues anyway)
I have seen first hand that these concerns have been clearly received and acknowledged by Lisa and BOT/Thinktank.
My understanding now is that there is complete freedom of choice over any kind of financial involvement from the parents: buy, lease or hold off and see what happens, it is your right. This eases any pressure I think regarding the time frame for those considering purchase, but who are still not convinced that they need to buy one yet.
I believe the next BOT meeting is on 21 May. My hope is that there will be agreement to put another survey out, this time to the whole school, not just to the 50 possible respondants of the last survey. I believe the parents of years 1-4 need to be given an opportunity to engage with the school and other parents on this. You never know if one of those parents may bring unique and valuable input to the table.
Personally I would welcome a couple more evenings where the Chromebooks will again be actively demonstrated with Google Docs.
Part of the demonstration should really focus on the security and safe use of the Chromebook to help put parents minds at ease. All parents should be invited to this including the parents whose children will likely be involved in two or three years time, so that they know the intended pathway of the school and have a smoother and longer 'lead-in'.
It's pleasing to see Chromebooks are now dropping towards the $200 mark through places like Amazon.com. One option I like is leasing for a while until we are satisfied as to tangible results and benefit from the initiative. If we eventually buy a device it will be because we have gained famiiliarity with the technology and its perceived educational value (and prices may become even more attractive).
Thanks again, if you have any questions or feedback of your own, I'm here.
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate you sharing your points of view with us through this forum. One of the silver linings is that we now have an increased number of parents engaged and talking with us about teaching and learning… that has got to be good for our school and our community!
When sharing your views, please show respect to the views and opinions of others in the community, and avoid making criticisms of individuals, or groups of individuals.
I do moderate comments, and will edit/delete anything that I feel is inappropriate in this way.
I look forward to continuing the dialogue in the days, weeks and months ahead.
Regards,
Lisa.
Hi all, just a quick re-iteration on what I think are really important steps over the next few weeks.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to know that the following will be agreed at tonight's BOT meeting:
1) The school should survey and invite parents from all years to participate in the upcoming workshops including years 1 through 4.
2) The invitation should contain a reminder that parents have complete freedom to buy, lease, or delay a decision regarding a Chromebook without impacting their child in the classroom. I feel there is no reason to imply coercion or resentment towards any other parent or family. We can all respect each others decisions!
3) The upcoming workshops should emphasize safety and security of the Chromebooks to help put parents minds at ease. Maybe split into two parts, the Google docs how-to, and then the Security and Safety demo. I discussed this with a Think-tank member who was very enthusiastic about showing off the usability, safety and security of the Chromebooks in practical terms.
Many parents want to get their hands on a Chromebook before making any decisions (financial or otherwise) so the workshops could be crucial to gathering a greater buy-in. I am still on the fence but leaning towards leasing until I can be sure of the benefits, so may topple off the fence eventually and purchase at a later date.
Thanks again Lisa for inviting ongoing discussion.