WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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Parents expressed their concerns about the use of technology in classrooms, at the Monroe County Community School Board during the board’s meeting, last night.
MCCSC parent Michelle Cohen said student iPad use is having ‘unintended consequences.’ Of special concern to Cohen is technology’s impact on social and emotional learning.
“I feel like building connections between students and teachers is downgraded,” Cohen said.
She listed a number of other concerns, including impacts on academic performance. For example, she said studies indicate lower reading comprehension with screen use, versus printed texts.
Cohen asked for a risk-benefit analysis of technology use by students. Several parents took issue with a specific instructional technology for iPad called Exact Path. Edmentum, the company that produces Exact Path, describes it as assessment-driven math, reading, and language arts instruction for individualized learning. Parent Jenny Robinson said her children find Exact Path both frustrating and boring. She said if students make a mistake, they are kicked back to material below their grade level.
“It can’t respond to kids interest and ideas,” Robinson said.
Robinson said her major concern is that Exact Path use is taking away from instructional time, as well as other topics like science and social studies. Several parents expressed concern about how often their kids are tested, and how much time teachers spend on assessments. Parent Carrie Micksa asked for a thorough audit of all assessments given to MCCSC students. In her comments, she also expressed concern about larger class sizes.
The school board does not usually respond to public comment in their meetings, but Assistant Superintendent Markay Winston said instructional technology is part of MCCSC’s goal to educate kids for the 21st century. Winston said MCCSC’s practices are shaped and informed by both Indiana computer science standards, and the International Society for Technology in Education.
