Schools EXPECT kids to own a computer and access the internet.

Idiophreak

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You might have missed the point where the OP said that s/he was talking about secondary school rather than primary.

I've not missed any point.

If a kid's old enough to look after themself, they're probably old enough to go to the library after school on their own...

hoyles10

To be fair when I was at secondary school if I got sent to the library on my own to do some homework I would have more than likely found my way round to a friends house to play computer games or something like that. Failing that if I did make it to the library I would make sure someone who was good at the subject was with me or just google the answers so it seems a little pointless.

Saying that I got marked down in my GCSE's when I did them for not using a calculator despite getting the answers right. I could work it all out in my head no problem but couldn't write down how i'd got the answer.

elfen

Hoyles - had that problem a lot, I was always better at mental maths.

Think the school needs to come to a compromise, if you don't have a PC or internet access, they should allow for your child to do the work on paper and hand it in (which means there's probably, out of a class of 30, only 4-8 pupils who will hand in paper work) Not really that much.

The thing with Wikipedia copy + pasting. There is a way round it. It's called Turnitin software, which scans the page, checking for inaccuracies and bits from websites, and can be used as proof against plagarism. I know at uni if any work is handed in online it goes through Turnitin, most (it might be all now) UCAS personal statements go through it, as does any GCSE/A-Level work submitted online.

before_hollywood

i have a certain amount of sympathy as the school and the library in the town were (and still are) 3 miles apart, the library closed at 5, is packed with school kids cluttering up the internet from half 3 and there isnt a school bus from where i went to the town centre.

having said that if the school will provide access to the system outside of class hours then i am all for it, and before people go on about my sitting on my ivory towers (i *ahem* work for an isp) my laptop i am using now cost me £230 second hand, internet and landline cost me little over £20 a month and most of that is landline.

round here there was a scheme that every child should have access to the internet and the local school that piloted it was in the roughest part of town, it cost a bloomin fortune, free laptops being handed out here there and everywhere, and oh look above inflation council tax rises, and public sector spending going through the roof.

i have to pay for my own access and laptop for my education (i am a p/t distance learning student) so why shouldnt parents?

advent1122

LemonGrove wrote: »

Send him to the library to access the internet. What's the problem with doing that? You complain about people answering with it but don't explain why.

We live in the middle of nowhere. The nearest library is a 5 hour mule trek over 2 mountains and down several rickety paths.
He cannot stay behind after school to use the computer for the same reasons, 1 bus to bring him home, if he misses that then the next one will be along errr..... tomorrow.
I could pick him up but driving a car between 4pm - 8pm is prohibited due to an ancient by-law which goes back to 1742.
What is wrong with giving the swots the technological route and all the half-wits a book and crayons?

PS. All this is irrelivent as he does have a computer with internet access - kept in the dining room so I can keep an eye on him. I was just thinking aloud and wonder where it will end.....
What about NO SCHOOLS and they are taught purely over the internet. Make it difficult to snog behind the bike sheds but I am sure some virtual snog will appear, along with a virtual bully.

Takoda

No good whinging about it. Children accessing stuff online for their learning is the future.

Hermia

dmg24 wrote: »

The simple answer is cost. It is much cheaper for children to work from a website than to be provided with text books, workbooks etc (which can all be lost).

I think internet access to homework would have been great when I was at school. My school was so strapped for cash we used to have one textbook between four in maths and science. If one person forget to bring it back on time the rest of us couldn't do the homework!

I think the government are bringing in a scheme so that families on low incomes are given grants for a computer and broadband. I think the pilot has just finished.

before_hollywood

Hermia wrote: »

I think internet access to homework would have been great when I was at school. My school was so strapped for cash we used to have one textbook between four in maths and science. If one person forget to bring it back on time the rest of us couldn't do the homework!

I think the government are bringing in a scheme so that families on low incomes are given grants for a computer and broadband. I think the pilot has just finished.

they did a trial for that round here, i hope they dont bring it in, we need to cut down on the amount the government wastes not put it up

Takoda

They are bringing it in. My next primary to secondary transition meeting will be held in the ICT suite so that the local Comp can show their system to the feeder schools (Primaries who supply them with their new Y7s)

moneypooh

My children's secondary school has done some research and teenagers (especially boys) have increased their homework output and the quality of their coursework. This is their medium now and we are well into 21st century learning.
It keeps the cost down incredibly with regards to paper and books.
My DD and DS enjoy interactive homework and researching online. It's great for revision too with plenty of ex-exam papers online for practice.

The school ensures that computers are available for all students before, during and after school. We had an internet problem a few months ago and it wasn't a problem both doing the work in the school's ICT dept. In fact they have teachers there everyday to help with all subjects.