We have had parents in the paat ask that their students not receive
netbooks or iPads.  The reasoning was not anti-technology per se, but
based more on their view of their child's level of responsibility, and the
cost of the device that we were entrusting to the student.  Would they be
on the hook for replacing a $200 screen that their child broke?  Replace a
device that was carelessly left on the bus?  We also had parents concerned
about the quantity of screen time their kids were getting at home, and
this would be an additional or new device that they would potentially be
able to feed a gaming or social media addiction with.  The parents were
concerned about filtering and monitoring at home, things they were
uncomfortable with how to accomplish.  So several chose to ask for the
device to be withheld rather than ask for help.  In most cases these fears
were aleviated by the principal reaching out to them and talking them
through the scenarios.

IMO, a thoughtful response to refusing technology would include not only
justifications as to why tech is important in the world, but some kind of
acknowledgement of parent concerns around their kids' maturity to handle a
device in different situations.  Pointing out different expectations and
standards at different grade levels, and the different options that
schools and parents together employ to keep technology use in a place that
is comfortable to both parents and educators (and students!).  

Just my two cents...

Melissa Hayden-Raley
Technology Supervisor
Milton Town School District
802-893-5460
http://helpdesk.mtsd-vt.org

School Information Technology Discussion <[log in to unmask]> writes:
>Hello:
>
> 
>
>We are already corralling resources on this .... 
>
> 
>
>My first question.. so should we opt out of computers in the work place
>too?   Not sure students or workers will have that option in the job
>market. 
>
> 
>
>Yes, we will putting up a fight on this piece of legislation.  I may
>need a couple of volunteers here, so I’ll reach out as it gets
>closer.  
>
> 
>
>Background.. I can recall at least two phone calls and a letter last
>Spring Semester from parents wanting to know “where it was written in
>statute” that students had to accept a computer if they attended a
>public school.   A serious issue for some of the parents that were very
>vocal about it.  
>
> 
>
>We’re working on it.
>
> 
>
>Thanks for the discussion.
>
> 
>
>Peter 
>
> 
>
>Peter Drescher
>
>Education Technology Coordinator
>
>Vermont Agency of Education
>
>Transformation and Innovation Division
>
>219 N. Main St. Suite 402, 
>
>Barre VT 05641
>
>Ph.: 802.479.1169
>
>[ mailto:[log in to unmask] ][log in to unmask]
>
>Twitter: VTED_Technology
>
> 
>
> 
>
>From: School Information Technology Discussion
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Charlie MacFadyen
>Sent: Friday, January 16, 2015 1:50 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Interesting bill from the legislature
>
> 
>
>
>
>
>This was sent to me this morning...
>
>
>
>
>"An act relating to students’ right to opt out of computer usage"
>
>
>
>
>[
>http://legislature.vermont.gov/assets/Documents/2016/Docs/BILLS/H-0028/H-0028%20As%20Introduced.pdf
>]http://legislature.vermont.gov/assets/Documents/2016/Docs/BILLS/H-0028/H-0028%20As%20Introduced.pdf
>
>
>
>
>Yikes.
>
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
>
>Charlie MacFadyen
>Technology Integration Specialist
>Champlain Valley Union HS
>Hinesburg, VT
>(802) 482-7117
>
>
>
>
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