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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:
MrsPeppapig · 11/12/2016 19:24

Yanbu to put a complaint in

Lorelei76 · 11/12/2016 19:32

YANBU

ClashCityRocker · 11/12/2016 19:34

Just out of interest, what is the benefit of submitting typed homework over handwritten?
I can see it means that those with bad handwriting aren't discriminated against, and yes, being able to type is a useful skill but it seems daft where a kid hasn't got access to a computer to downmark them for it.

Julju · 11/12/2016 19:36

YANBU. How can they demand homework is completed and submitted electronically, claim that the "computer is an important tool" but not give them free access to computers at school for them to use if they don't have access at home for whatever reason?

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 11/12/2016 19:38

You need to make the school aware of your situation. It is annoying but nearly all schools (and work places!) operate this way with all communications online.

At my sons' secondary, there is access to computers during lunchtime and also after school homework clubs.
For low income families, most schools will loan a Netbook with all the relevant school programmes on so look into that. You need to fill out some forms and provide details of your home insurance to obtain one.

Christmassnake · 11/12/2016 19:39

I hate how everyone assumes families have a computer for kids to use...ours is in yr 2. And at the last parents evening all the talk was on what he could do on one if he had access to one....going to have to put one on a credit card and pay a bit of at a time next year..not fair though

Lynnm63 · 11/12/2016 19:41

YANBU not everyone can afford to fix/replace things immediately. Computers aren't cheap and December/ January are expensive months. The school will have to come up with a solution even if they let her do it at lunchtime. Our printer broke and it took me a week for the manufacturers to post me the correct part. Ds school allowed h/w to be emailed in from his phone and printed out at school.

december10th · 11/12/2016 19:47

Y7s don't have access to a computer at school? really?

CotswoldStrife · 11/12/2016 19:52

Re computer submission over handwritten - easier to run it through programmes designed to pick up plagiarism I'd guess although I don't know for sure.

Is there no way she can use a computer at school, they usually can during lunch or after school if this is a requirement? I would email the school to let them know that this will be an issue for a while yet and they may tell you what arrangement they can make. Hope it is sorted for your daughter soon.

RichardBucket · 11/12/2016 19:52

YANBU

And no way should she have to go in early/stay late to use a computer. She has a perfectly good way of completing homework at home.

MarjorieSimpson · 11/12/2016 19:53

Most of the homework is done on line at my dcs school.
In a case like this, it is planned that children can have access to a computer at school during breaks/lunch/afer school if needed.

I haven't heard any teacher refusing homework that has been done by hand because there was no access to a computer at home either.

I would also look at how long she had the homework for. If she had 2 weeks to do it, then fair enough, she should have been able to do it at lunch time at school. If she had 2 days, it's a different issue iyswim.

Btw, it IS assumed that all families will have a computer. I had already been told that nearly 10 years ago. Apparently research was showing then that more than 90% of family have a computer and internet access at home.
Our school does have a system in place though for the type of situation the OP is talking about.
Which is only fair.
I broke my computer a few weeks ago. Replacing it wasn't an issue money wise BUT it took a week for the shop to have a look at it and check if it wasn't possible to repair it/get data from the hard drive. Then another week to get a new computer. If one of the dcs had needed a computer or printer during that time, they wouldn't have been able to access one at home.

RichardBucket · 11/12/2016 20:06

In a case like this, it is planned that children can have access to a computer at school during breaks/lunch/afer school if needed.

That is NOT a fair solution! Why on earth should a child have to give up their break time, lunch time, or home time?

Juicypineapple · 11/12/2016 20:20

Were don't have internet at home bar on my phone. There isn't enough time at break to do homework (10mins), she can't stay after school due to school buses, we no longer have a library nearby. She can use computers at lunch and often doesn't eat lunch on those days to shop so IF she can get on the computers for all the others kids playing on them at lunch. In her old school there were twenty computers and over 1000 pupils!

Therefore schools should accept homework in other formats.

Juicypineapple · 11/12/2016 20:21

*we

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 11/12/2016 20:31

It isn't fair RichardB, but having a laptop and wifi at home is now essential in secondary education. Internet access and computer maintenance is now generally regarded as one of the basic home utility bills. If pupils are from a low income family or in receipt of a pupil premium grant, most schools will help with provision of a computer, although it is not mandatory for them to provide financial assistance.

wtffgs · 11/12/2016 20:33

It's crazy to assume all students will have access to anything other than a phone. Clearly, you can't write an essay on a phone. I'd say about 75% of our kids don't have a computer, let alone a printer, at home.

Hopefully, this is just an isolated incidence of dim-wittedness in the part of one teacher. Still, I'd want to clarify things with the school. I agree with PP that you should say you don't have a computer, full stop.

MidniteScribbler · 11/12/2016 21:22

That is NOT a fair solution! Why on earth should a child have to give up their break time, lunch time, or home time?

Because sometimes in life, you need to put yourself out to get things done. "Computer doesn't work, so tough" is not effective problem solving. "Mrs X, our computer is currently out of order and won't be fixed for another month. Could you make arrangements with the librarian that I can use the school computer on Monday and Wednesday lunch time, please" is how you solve problems. By high school they are expected to take some responsibility for their learning, and they aren't primary aged kids who need to run around at lunchtime to work off their energy.

Your attitude is why we have so many kids who are me, me, me and won't put themselves out. "I'm entitled to my lunch break so I won't do my homework then" instead of "oh well, it sucks, but until mum and dad fix the computer I'm going to have to give up a couple of lunch breaks to get it done". Even many years ago when I was at high school we usually spent a couple of lunch breaks in the library doing research for our various assignments, it's all part of being at high school.

allegretto · 11/12/2016 21:31

My son doesn't get lunch breaks or access after school. Luckily they accept handwritten assignments!

underneaththeash · 11/12/2016 22:19

Of course she should OP. Not everyone has access to a PC and you should make a big fuss.

I've never said this before, but I am very good at complaining. If you don't get anywhere I personally will take it up with your school. Please PM me if you don't get anywhere.

SexTrainGlue · 12/12/2016 06:47

It is the poorest, the most chaotic, the insecurely housed; generally the most vulnerable or newest arrived who are most likely to have inadequate or non-existent computing facilities at home.

Now, do we prefer schools (like other public bodies) to have suitable alternatives for those who don't have a particular item?

Or just say 'I'm all right Jack' and so it's ok to say they should get real.

KungFuPandaWorksOut16 · 12/12/2016 07:57

When I was in my final year of HS, the school had a wonderful idea that all work must be typed up and not hand written, printed then submitted too the teacher. Parents kicked off at the fact that not everyone has access to a computer or a printer. So the school rolled out a programmed where every student in final year is given a laptop by the school that parents can do payment plans on, if the parents couldn't pay the full amount in one go.
If I remember rightly the laptop total cost was £350ish.
If the cost wasn't paid by the end of the year, the school demanded the laptop back. A lot of the laptops never got paid in full, and the ones the school managed to get back they was broken and not fit for another pupil too use. That scheme was not used again.

HearTheThunderRoar · 12/12/2016 08:10

Thats ridiculous in my opinion, she still handed in the work just in a different format.

I agree why should she have to give up her lunch hour to complete the work when there is an alternative which means she doesn't have to forgo her lunch hour.

What's the difference between handwriting and handed in online form? My DD prefers to do handwritten work than on Microsoft word because she learns better writing it out herself.

We also live in the sticks where the internet is unreliable.

00100001 · 12/12/2016 08:16

I find it unlikely that they Year 7s have NO access to computers.

There would be homework clubs etc

corythatwas · 12/12/2016 08:59

Would absolutely go for exLtEve's suggestion: "We do not have a working computer at home nor the means to pay for one. What is your solution?"

This puts the onus on them- and if it should be the case that they do actually provide lunchtime computer access, then they will get back to your dd and tell her so. And it flags up that for many families, this may not be a temporary problem.

Don't see a problem with the dd having to give up some breaktime to do homework; as Midnite says, problem-solving and flexibility are part of what she is at secondary to learn. But that assumes that she can have access to computers.

NicknameUsed · 12/12/2016 09:09

"Just out of interest, what is the benefit of submitting typed homework over handwritten?"

To check for plagiarism as has already been pointed out, and it is much easier for the teacher to read it.

However, the teacher won't know how capable the child is of spelling and grammar if it has been run through a spell checker, and it isn't very good practice for handwritten exams.

DD's school set the homework online, but many students still hand in handwritten work.

DD says she always hand writes her work because she needs to practise writing quickly for exams.

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