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

marleyboy

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Many libraries stay open later than this but, even if not, 5pm is a couple of hours after most children finish school.

Since when has a library been a dangerous place that children can't visit unaccompanied?

I am not disputing that Libraries are a dangerous place, it is that gap between the library and the home that may be dangerous for children.

My local library, has 8 computers available for use, upto now everytime I have been there all 8 are in use and are fully booked limiting a child's use of a library computer, which surely would mean they have a set time limit to do their homework, if anything I dont think a child should not feel they have to rush their homework.

I am all for children doing their homework with the tools available, but I don't think a school should expect that a child has internet or computer access at home, simply because not every child does.

marleyboy

Idiophreak wrote: »

Who said anything about "on their own"? Presumably the child has someone supervising them, so they could go with them, if they're worried about the child's safety. Of course, we know why that wouldn't work... "Sally does ballet class" and "I sit for the kid next door" and "my car only works between 7 and 9am" and "the courts say I'm not allowed within 200 yards of a book" and yada yada yada.

This topic fascinates me...it's one that people are determined to find reasons to complain about. No matter what alternatives you provide people with, they'll come up with some reason they can't do it, how unfair it is etc etc etc.

Is it not feasible a single parent working, might not find the time to both pick their child up AND take them to a library, then rush home to cook their meal? Not everyone has the fortune of having a neighbour who can sit in for their kids

Maybe one persons excuse is another's sole reason, some people may have complete valid reasons why they cannot get their child to a library, ensure a computer is booked for them and sit in and wait for them, whatever you or I may think about it.

RadoJo

Most jobs now involve some level of interaction with computers - even if it's just finding the job listings online. In fact, I would be surprised if there were any businesses out there which aren't computerised, so familiarity with computers and how to operate them is becoming increasingly vital in the world of work, meaning that children who use computers regularly will be much better equipped to actually achieve their potential than those who don't.
I understand that it can be frustrating for parents who do not have a computer, but I really believe that it's important to provide children with the skills they will need to progress, and it's unrealistic to think that computers will not play a huge role in anyone's life and career. So I think it is worth ensuring that children gain experience of using computers, and as schools are tasked with preparing children for the next stages of their life, I can see why they would want to include computer based work in that preparatory process.

girlatplay

marleyboy wrote: »

Is it not feasible a single parent working, might not find the time to both pick their child up AND take them to a library, then rush home to cook their meal? Not everyone has the fortune of having a neighbour who can sit in for their kids

I thank you for pointing this out. I will say that my daughter is at primary school, not secondary but the internet is still an issue.

I am a single parent. I work full time. I have to work full time because we would not have a home if I didn't I have managed to cut down to 31 hours a week from 35. I picked my daugter up at 3.25pm from school yesterday (she got out at 3.35) . We went home, she got changed into her judo uniform, I dropped her at judo (at the school) at 4.15, I went to the supermarket for some shopping. I went back to collect her at 5pm. She got out at 5.10pm. We got home approx 5.20pm. I made dinner whilst she was on the computer (we have only just got internet access at home). Apparently she MUST go on to the sites that the teacher tells her to go on to and the teacher will know if she hasn't been on. We ate our dinner then it was homework time. She had 55 pages of reading to do that night (chapter books with no pictures). She is not a confident reader and to do 55 pages would take us all night. Therefore, I had to read the book to her. There was no other way to do it. If she doesn't know the story for the next day she would get into trouble (apparently). Some nights she only has 10 pages to read. One night she had 76 pages to read. She also had 12 vocabulary words and their meanings to do. In addition (no pun intended) she was given 4 A4 pages of maths homework to do (1 page each night) from Monday to be handed in on Friday. I got her to bed at 9.30pm - I think that is far too late for an 8 year old and that was without a bath as she was so tired. That is a typical day on one of the two days in the week that I finish early. As I mentioned, we have now got internet access at home (set up 03.10.09) but when, exactly, would we have the time to go to the library if we didn't? We didn't have time to go before we got internet access.

I'm sorry if my post isn't relevant to this thread, I just wanted to get my point accross. Thanks for reading.

Oldernotwiser

marleyboy wrote: »

I am not disputing that Libraries are a dangerous place, it is that gap between the library and the home that may be dangerous for children.

My local library, has 8 computers available for use, upto now everytime I have been there all 8 are in use and are fully booked limiting a child's use of a library computer, which surely would mean they have a set time limit to do their homework, if anything I dont think a child should not feel they have to rush their homework.

I am all for children doing their homework with the tools available, but I don't think a school should expect that a child has internet or computer access at home, simply because not every child does.

Most libraries allow you to book space in advance and most homework doesn't have to be done the day it's set.

As far as the dangers of travelling between school/home and the library goes, I expect that's true - if you live in Beirut!

mrcol1000

girlatplay wrote: »

IShe is not a confident reader and to do 55 pages would take us all night. Therefore, I had to read the book to her.

Unless she pratices reading herself how is she suppose to become a confident reader??

girlatplay

mrcol1000 wrote: »

Unless she pratices reading herself how is she suppose to become a confident reader??

That is exactly what I would like to know. She can manage 3 pages herself in an evening. How is she supposed to do 55 / 79 / or however many other ridiculous amounts of pages they are asking her to do along with all the other stuff? That is a bit off topic though.

SallyForth_2

girlatplay wrote: »

That is exactly what I would like to know. She can manage 3 pages herself in an evening. How is she supposed to do 55 / 79 / or however many other ridiculous amounts of pages they are asking her to do along with all the other stuff? That is a bit off topic though.

I think you should have a word with the teacher, because I think this is a bit too much for an 8year old, especially the 4 pages of maths! My 12 year old is in year 8, and he doesn't get that much maths to do.

marleyboy

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

As far as the dangers of travelling between school/home and the library goes, I expect that's true - if you live in Beirut!

I didn't realise children only got abducted, molested, raped, bullied, murdered, abused or assaulted whilst in Beirut How silly of me, I blame my parents teaching me to say "no" to strangers when I was a vulnerable child.

Idiophreak

girlatplay wrote: »

I picked my daugter up at 3.25pm from school yesterday (she got out at 3.35) . We went home, she got changed into her judo uniform, I dropped her at judo (at the school) at 4.15, I went to the supermarket for some shopping. I went back to collect her at 5pm.
....
when, exactly, would we have the time to go to the library if we didn't?

Probably instead of Judo. Don't get me wrong, I love judo, am a blue belt myself, but if it came to a toss up between an extra-curricular club and the child doing their homework, surely the homework would win out?

And odds on, with the money saved by them not going to judo (don't know how much it costs these days - used to cost a couple of quid a week, plus gradings and licence etc), you could have afforded the internet, so you wouldn't even have needed to go to the library in the first place.