Screen time...

In the past weeks, I've answered my share of emails and basic conversations regarding how much students will be using their iPads during the day, and then how much will they need them at night.  In September the New York times published an article about Steve Jobs and his family regarding screen time or tech use at home. Steve Jobs was a Low-Tech Parent

Multiple families sent me a copy of this article. It dawned on me that this is a very important parenting conversation.  While the journalist focused on the iPad, and the parents are sending me this article because of our iPad initiative, I wonder how much people monitor their kids screen time period. Over the weekend, everywhere I went, I saw children with their parents phones in the waiting room, using tablets in the car, even staring at the muted screen in the restaraunt.  So it really became clear. Do people monitor screen time?  All of it?

As a parent, my husband and I felt that it was important to limit our children's screen time.  Our children are not allowed to watch tv, play video games, play iPod / iPad games during the week.  This includes the use of Chrome books, tablets, laptops unless it's for academic reasons.  Since my son is in the 8th grade, he has many assignments that require internet access. We are also aware of where our children use their digital devices. They use them in the living room or dinning room, where we are in the evening.  Once academics are complete, the devices are turned off, and on the charger; ready for the next day.

Since we know how important it is for children to express themselves and be creative, we encourage our children to do just that every evening.   Our 6 year old, changes into costumes, redresses her dolls, combs hair, builds forts and tents, and delves into a world she creates on her own. My son plays the piano, sketches, reads, and sometimes, he helps his sister with her fort and tent building.   These are skills and life experiences that are important.

At dinner, there are no screens or phones.  We spend the time listening to each other. We try to catch up on our day.  Most of the time, we are retelling tall tales of past times.

As a parent I recognize that I need to put limitations on my kids, so that they can experience other things.  Shinny bells, and whistles impress the most jaded adult, let alone a naive child.  When I read the article about Steve Jobs, I thought wow, great parenting.  In the world we live in, it's imperative to stop, pause and allow time to be together, to relax, and to disconnect.

However, I'm aware of the 21st Century Skills my children will need to be successful in the future.  I'm also aware of the Common Core Standards and how it weaves technology into both the reading and math standards.  My kids attend Agassiz Elementary School.  They follow a rigorous curriculum that include the CCS and 21st Century Skills.  I'm aware of their technology initiatives, and I've seen how they've enhanced some of the learning experiences my children have had. I recognize that that is the role of the school.

In the end, it's about balance. Both home and school play an important role in the lives of our children. 

week two

Isn't it funny how quickly you fall back into the swing of things? It's almost like summer never happened.  I got an email formally telling me who my evaluator will be this year. Team meetings are running like clock work.  Chute's Instructional Leadership Team is planning our first Staff Meeting. We are focusing on student engagement by way of engaging lessons. We have an all school read this year, Teach Like a Champion  by Doug Lemov to help illuminate some ways to make our classes more engaging.   It's official, I'm going to declare it.  The honeymoon is over! Now we can get down to the real work!

So the question that hit me, while sitting in some of these meetings. Where does our iPad Journey fit into all of this?   I'm listening to some of the meetings that are riddled with details that must be addressed to keep the machine  of school going. So I thought grassroots....divide and conquer.....get in where you fit in.  Right?

Meeting with my colleagues in small groups has truly been enlightening.  We met by content area and grade level.   Each group had its own concerns and entry points.  I was encouraged by the willingness to share.  It also became clear, that differentiation is greatly needed.

I'm reminded of bootcamp.  I joined bootcamp this summer to continue to up the ante with my workout routine.  My first session, I was so excited to go that I got up at 4am, showered, selected by clothing carefully, prepared bottles of water to take with me to bootcamp. I left my house around 4:30 so that I would be on time. When I got there the instructor told me to warm up by running on the track. I thought okay, I can do that.  I trained for a marathon before, no problem.  Then the whistle blew and it was time for the group of 15 early risers to get into the actual workout.  Needless to say, it was an intense workout.  I paused to catch my breathe, to wait for the burn to quit, just to think and ask myself "why" throughout the entire hour. After class, the instructor, a retired marine, says, "You did great!" I'm thinking, what have I gotten myself into? Can I do this? Can I keep up with everyone else? Is there a refund policy? The instructor then says, "It's your first day. Everyday will get easier, and easier.  I'll say give me 10 push-ups and you'll drop and do them, no problem. We'll run 2 miles in cadence, and you'll lead the pack. Just take one day at a time."

During our PD, everyone was so excited about this opportunity.  We worked with each other, played with a few aps, and enthusiastically attempted to add our iPads into the first day of school activities.  I called that the warm up.  These were things we could do without much assistance.  But now the whistle is blowing, and we are learning our students, becoming familiar with our students IEP's and 504's. The workout is in full swing. How do I support my colleagues to keep the voices in their heads quiet?  How do I make them feel like my bootcamp instructor did for me. So after every meeting and playground session I had this week, I said, "This is the beginning of our journey.  Everyday, using the iPad will get easier and easier. We are in this together as a community of learners." We schedule our next time together, and surprisingly everyone is still smiling.

Funny thing about honeymoons and marriage.  While the honeymoon may be the fun part, its the wonder of a long marriage that's the miracle.  So, the honeymoon is over, but now the real work begins and it has it's own tenor of excitement.