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AIBU?

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Original poster

Aibu to email school about this?

73 replies

lookaroundandsmile · 11/12/2016 17:58

My dd is in year 7 and they school have just started using this online system for homework.

We don't have a working computer (needs fixing which we can't do until next month). She can access the system on my phone but can't use it to submit homework this can only be done on a computer.

She had an essay to do recently and since we couldn't submit it online she wrote it all out by hand and took it in to the teacher. But he refused to accept it saying that the computer was "an important tool" Confused so she lost her "good mark for the lesson and the homework was marked as unsubmitted.

The year 7s don't have free access to computers at school and it means travelling a way on a bus to get to someone who can let her use theirs not an option for every by of homework.

Aibu to email the school and complain about this policy it isn't my Dds fault that we can't afford to fix the computer - it's not forever just a month! Surely she should be allowed to submit written versions?

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 11/12/2016 18:00

Have you contacted the school to explain that she is temporarily without access to a computer?

Limitededition7inch · 11/12/2016 18:00

Not unreasonable at all. I'm a teacher and this teacher sounds like he handled it in a really odd way. Did she explain to him that her comp was broken?

Original poster
lookaroundandsmile · 11/12/2016 18:01

I haven't personally that's what I was going to email she tried to explain but he wouldn't accept it - it is pretty clear she hasn't tried to get out of doing it she took the time to write it out by hand and illustrate it!

OP posts:
DarkBlueEyes · 11/12/2016 18:02

Absolutely NOT unreasonable. There will be others who don't have a computer I am sure. I'd go in and speak to the head personally.

SnorkelParka · 11/12/2016 18:03

Yes, definitely explain and ask if they can find a solution.

needsahalo · 11/12/2016 18:04

The teacher probably thought she had forgotten to do at home, had banged it out over lunch and then concocted a story about Ammon-working computer. Just email her form teacher to let her know the issue and ask him/her to pass on to other teachers. A note in her planner would also be useful backup saying computer broken, email sent to Mrs X on y date and indicating when you hope to be back to normal.

Castleheights · 11/12/2016 18:05

There has to be a school policy for students to complete homework by other means when no access to a computer is available.
Teacher is an arse.

Musicaltheatremum · 11/12/2016 18:05

And they assume everyone has a computer. We had a fight with our hospital xray department who refused to accept signed xray requests for our patients because it all "had to be electronic for safety reasons" Our practice had had no internet for 3 days and we had no other option. Fortunately common sense prevailed.
So I agree, email the school and explain.

needsahalo · 11/12/2016 18:05

A non-working computer!

Cloeycat · 11/12/2016 18:06

Maybe don't email to say you don't have a working computer. Obviously most people use phones and tablets to email these day but it might make your point a little less believable. Ring or visit the school

exLtEveDallas · 11/12/2016 18:10

Yes to emailing the school. But also, if you have email on your phone and the teacher will only accept electronic homework - take a photo of it and email the photo. It's not a perfect solution but at least it proves she's done it at home.

(And I wouldn't say that your computer needs fixing next month. I'd say "We do not have a working computer at home nor the means to pay for one. What is your solution?" That puts the onus back on the school.)

glamourousgranny42 · 11/12/2016 18:11

I'm a teacher and always make sure that if students have homework that requires a computer they have the opprtunity to access those in college. I wouldn't assume that all families have a computer or even access to the Internet. You should ring and exain your situation and your dc should have their work marked on effort and merit, regardless if it is hand written.

Glastonbury · 11/12/2016 18:18

At my Dd's school they are told to use the school library computers before/after school or the public library. All of the homework is online.

Scooby20 · 11/12/2016 18:44

I would contact the school. However if the school have said work needs to be done online, it might have been better to contact them when yiu knew she had some work to do.

I assume most parents who don't have a computer will have tackled this before it became a problem.

Scooby20 · 11/12/2016 18:45

Oh and yes at our school the kids are expected to stay and do it at school usually. But they obviously can access the computers.

Do your school not allow your dd to do this?

meditrina · 11/12/2016 18:51

It is not compulsory to own a computer at all.

You need to write to the school, explain that you have no working computer and no prospect of affording one for some time, and that your DD's written version of the homework has been completed on time, but rejected in that format.

Ask them to explain what work-around they are going to put in place.

ilovesooty · 11/12/2016 18:55

It's not compulsory to own a computer but most agencies these days expect people to have access to one.
In the short term I'd hope the school would accommodate the situation but the OP has indicated the situation is temporary.

leccybill · 11/12/2016 18:59

Do the students have access to the library computers or a homework club after or before school?

All high schools I've worked in ran homework clubs for exactly this reason.

strugglingstepdad · 11/12/2016 19:12

But why should the child have to stay at school after school time to complete the homework? Sounds like she did a good enough job at home!

I think the teacher needs a word had with him, as that attitude is completely uncalled for. The homework was completed in the timeframe and that's that. Many homes still don't have a computer/internet access so schools shouldn't be forcing them to submit homework digitally.

RancidOldHag · 11/12/2016 19:13

Actually, government agencies and departments have to have work-around a for those who don't have online access.

ilovesooty · 11/12/2016 19:16

I work helping people with barriers onto employment and the job centres generally expect people to use computers for job search activity.

Hulababy · 11/12/2016 19:17

Usually schools have computer access in the library and/or another area before and after school, and at lunch times, for these situations.

Italiangreyhound · 11/12/2016 19:18

Yanbu. I agree with EveDallas

minion246 · 11/12/2016 19:20

I feel that the teacher should of handled it a lot better so a complaint should be made but at the same time all kids these days need access to a computer. My son last year stayed after school to do his homework or we all went to the library so he could use the computers there. Everything is technology these days.

ConvincingLiar · 11/12/2016 19:23

I work helping people with barriers onto employment and the job centres generally expect people to use computers for job search activity.

But if you're a job seeker it's perhaps not unreasonable for you to have to visit the public library each week?

I'd ask school for a solution and see what they say. I'd also ask for that homework to be marked fairly.

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