Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Primary school homework. Screentime

38 replies

Sandsunsea · 11/09/2017 09:41

My primary aged child (9) keeps getting homework which involves using an maths app, I object to this. I don't agree with my child having compulsory screen time at this age, screens make my children cranky, and I don't think that it's good for them. I discovered this last year after being swept along by the trend of children being gifted tablets, and have since removed technology from their life, things are happier at home since going this. Now my child is coming home with compulsory screen time homework! I think that if the school wants them to use a tablet/app then this should be done at school. I think at primary age it is unnecessary. AIBU. Am I missing something?

OP posts:

missjulia · 11/09/2017 13:03

OP, my 5 year old DS is the same with screens, has a really detrimental effect on his behaviour and emotional state, so I have done the same as you and removed the tablet completely. My 6 year old DD is a completely different child and they have no negative effect on her at all.

missjulia · 11/09/2017 13:05

So, I would be massively unimpressed if the school set this homework and would have to ask for an alternative/ provide one myself.

Mominatrix · 11/09/2017 13:33

I really don't understand how 20 minutes a week on a Math app would cause a child to become out of control - particularly if s/he is being supervised by a parent.

Fact is that more schools are migrating to an on-line platform - even at the age of 9. Both my children were/are are highly selective preps, and their homework is on-line. Early years make much use of iPads - sometimes coming home for entire terms. Background research articles, assignments, review materials. My son who is in senior school has all of his assignments on-line and a requirement was an internet ready device. This is increasingly the case in many schools.

Better to slowly allow your child to adjust to this world in a controlled manner.

Camomila · 11/09/2017 13:40

Tbh what would bother me most about this homework is that it is discriminatory, what if some people can't afford a laptop/tablet?

grannytomine · 11/09/2017 13:45

My DD is a teacher, she was showing me the new all bells and whistles app they are using for homework. I asked about kids without internet and she said they can either do it in school (lunchtime in library or after school) or they can have an alternative homework on paper. I imagine schools have to accommodate children without internet/computers.

carefreeeee · 11/09/2017 13:46

Ask for a paper version or just don't complete it. Homework at primary school is mental. Send the child out to play instead

WhyamIBoredathome · 11/09/2017 14:36

Hmm, in my last school we had a subscription to an excellent service that we could use to set homework - gave kids instant feedback and mailed scores to teacher so no arguments about kids forgetting /dog eating it.
However, we had to provide alternative paper hw for any student unable
To access the website for any reason.
I am a secondary teacher though, and I'm not sure I'd be totally happy with my younger primary age kids being set app based homework.

BoggledMind · 11/09/2017 14:50

I think you're right when you say that homework shouldn't be set that relies on expensive technology however not for the reason you state.

I've worked in a school in a fairly privileged area where most children had access to iPads and laptops, however there were a few children who came from real poverty who didn't have either in their homes and who were unable to complete this type of homework. The headteacher, who was very much in favour of children completing homework online or via an app would not accept that these children had no access to this type of technology and said they were making it up to avoid doing homework. I had one little girl shaking and crying due to the stress and upset of not being able to complete this type of homework (this was after the headteacher had pulled her up about it in front of the whole class. The headteacher had set the homework whilst covering PPA). This type of thing puts the poorer children at an even greater disadvantage. It's horrible having to comfort a child who can't complete their homework because they can't access a tablet (and this is why I stopped setting this type of homework, or gave alternative homework for particular classes).

Ecureuil · 11/09/2017 15:49

We don't own a tablet (surely we're not the only ones?) so wouldn't be able to complete it. Nothing to do with money either, we're a high income family. Just never seen the need for one!

Alpacaandgo · 11/09/2017 16:01

I know what you mean. This bugs me. We have a home computer which can be used for school, but its shared between 5 kids and it is just a hell of a lot easier if homework was given on paper, otherwise it takes all bloody night as they have to wait for the others to finish.

Likewise all homework tasks given are now emailed to me. So I have to print those off to give to each child, otherwise again they have to have it open on the computer, even to see the tasks which don't require a computer. Its so annoying.

Schools must think that primary children all have their own individual computer and parents with endless hours afterschool to supervise them on said computer. Or perhaps have just one child per family! Just print out a bloody worksheet.

Its all done because the mymaths marks the task right after they do it. Meaning the teacher does not even have to read it, so less work for them marking stuff! Thats what I reckon anyway.

d270r0 · 11/09/2017 16:07

Like it or not, it is a fact that technology is becoming used in a much bigger way in life. It is likely that children today will need to be able to use it in far more than we do today when they are adults. Children need to be able to be able to use it adequately so homework based on an app is not only consolidating their maths knowledge but their understanding and ability to use technology as well.

Ecureuil · 11/09/2017 16:10

Children need to be able to be able to use it adequately so homework based on an app is not only consolidating their maths knowledge but their understanding and ability to use technology as well

If that's the case then I guess I'd better buy a tablet when DD1 starts school.

Pizzaexpressreview · 11/09/2017 22:07

Ecureuil. Usually the applications work on a pc/laptop or tablet or phone so it's likely most families have at least one.

Our school is a mixed area though so they offer a homework club with access to computers. Often home learning has had the option of a PowerPoint for homework amongst others too.

It doesn't have to be a tablet, in fact we find it works better on my laptop!!

Flip

1 2