To think school should realise not everyone has a computer?

[Iusemyphoneteach]

School have decided to set up an online learning system just in case there’s further lockdown. We’ve all had letters home this week telling us how to log on and telling us our children must have certain bits of homework done by Monday (downloaded and uploaded when completed) to prove we’ve accessed the system. The letters just seem to assume we all have computers to do this and there’s nothing in there about what to do if you don’t.

Obviously I’m going to have to embarrass myself and go into school to tell them we don’t have one so we can’t use the site at the moment until I’ve managed to get one but AIBU to think school should realise (especially in such a low income area) that not everyone has access to a computer and not everyone can magic access to one by Monday?

I understand why they’re setting it up and I think it’s great but it’s just the way they assume we can all do it. I know I won’t be the only parent in the same situation.

Just tell them. There was some funding in lockdown for laptops, but that may have been for secondary. Our school helpfully sent out a paper survey yo ask whether every family had an accessible laptop, computer or phone and the internet situation at home.

Not all children DO have access to a computer at home and schools are aware of this so you will have to contact them. They will loan you a chrome book or similar to access everything. They have planned for this so please ask them.
You need to tell them.
And I would ask before paying for one if you can’t afford it. Kids we’re using my laptop but I needed it for work too much and I got them one for £200 from Argos that does all they need. I know that’s a ton of money for some families, and so does the school.
Please ask.

You are absolutely right, online school exposes the inequalities in our society. People have no idea how many children in developed countries are trying to do school at the moment from their Mum's phone or not doing it at all because they don't have a computer.

It's poor form & very blinkered of the school not to have explicitly mentioned the procedures for those without a computer.

Please don't be embarrassed, they should be embarrassed when they realise how little they know about the situations of their own student body.

If you're not the only parent, then yes ur should be recognised.

You will need to approach the school obviously.

How old are your children?

Is it something that could be considered for a birthday present if all friends and relatives gave money towards it?

How did you manage schooling during the previous lockdown?
The school is giving you the opportunity to let them know your difficulties with hardware and they may be able to help out you and others if another lockdown occurs.

Not telling them wont help your child. The school will be aware some families wont have the kit and will have provision in place.
But you will need to tell them, as they cant help if they are unaware.

Please don't feel embarrassed. No system is perfect and there will always be inequalities but the school will be aware that all families have different levels of resources and they should have plans in place for this, be this a loan of a laptop or help towards purchasing one. Honestly, you've nothing to feel embarrassed about.

Most schools should have provision for this. Our school gave all the now year 11s a chrome book and wireless router for the duration of lockdown.

Any spares were given out to those in other years without access to a computer.

Failing that they could print and post everything to you?

Even if there is a computer at home, with lockdown it may be needed for one or more adults working from home.

The school are expecting every home not only to have a computer, but to have enough computers for everyone to be online at once.

Unless they expect people to print stuff out, in which case they're expecting a printer that is fully stocked with ink (also expensive).

YANBU, OP. The school really should be more aware of this.

It is annoying. My DD didn't have access to computer back in March 2020 but all work was set online. With 3DC at home and me working from home we didn't have enough laptops to go round for a full day schooling each I asked the school multiple times who agreed to send out work on paper , posting it to me and they didn't!! 4 weeks we went , keep asking, until I ended up needing to borrow money from my parents for a laptop for my DD as she got so behind.

It's pretty poor that they assume every family has enough spare funds to be able to suddenly afford laptops!

Are they just checking who can and cannot access the system? Then they will try and help those who can’t. The Government did have a scheme to provide laptops, but it was woeful, although you would never have known by how much they talked about it in the media.

There may be local charities/trust funds that might be able to fund a laptop. Start doing some research

Of course they should realise! This was one of the main issues with "blended learning" - we all saw the stuff during lockdown about families with 4 kids and 2 adults and one smartphone between them.

But also agree that they won't realise unless you tell them. Don't assume either that they will think it's financial, there are thousands of other reasons why people might not have/want a laptop or tablet.

Both my children's school loaned out tablets during the lockdown. They also supplied the Internet via a dongle as well for lower incomes. I'm sure they help if asked.

YANBU overall, but you probably have a smartphone or tablet if you’re posting here. Can’t DC use that to access it?

My DD managed to get her assigned work through her phone during lockdown and then just did the work on paper. It was fine.

You can access most of these systems from a smartphone or tablet which yes most parents will have in the house. If you don't have any of these of course you should phone the school (no need to go in - they won't want visitors anyway!) to tell them and hopefully they can get funding from somewhere to help you.
There are tablets available very cheaply, the greater cost is the WiFi.

I'm sure they do recognize it - but you cant hold back on new systems or technology forever because not every household can/chooses to adopt something. It is pretty rare these days for poorer households not to have a tablet or smartphone, although PC's are much rarer.

Schools are aware of this. Some have partnered with schemes to loan laptops or to purchase them with low cost payment plans. How did you manage last term?

Dds school sent out a survey to ascertain who did and didn’t have access in case of blended / full home schooling. Perhaps ask your children’s school if they intend to do the same.

Please do talk to the school. They will be able to help.

This is a gripe of mine. The schools response is everything is moving online anyway. But to me, it just makes the divide bigger. Unless they can provide kit (including wifi) for those kids That don’t have access they shouldn’t use it.
There is an assumption at secondary that parents pockets are bottomless for laptops, phones, printers, wifi and ink.

You’ve nothing to be embarrassed about, you’re certainly not the only family without a laptop at home. If you make them aware, school will try to help.

Schools are a bit damned if they do/damned if they don’t with the online learning. If we don’t build an online platform, we’ll be crucified. If we do it’s seen as discriminatory.

The government did assure parents that it was going to provide laptops, 230,000 if memory serves me correctly,

Many schools only got 20% of the laptops they requested under the Government scheme.

Even if there is a computer or an iPad at home, how do they think this will work when there are several, children and adults at home needing to access the Internet?

This assumption is not right and I think this needs to be highlighted to the school.
I mean even the school my dcs is going to have iPads for school. It has mandatory for a few years now. BUT they also are aware that some children cannot have an iPad themselves and the school will loan ipads to them instead.
There is nothing to be ashamed about. If someone should be ashamed, it’s the school for putting parents in that position.

I think they probably do know this, but if they put on the letter that they can provide a laptop etc, people will take the piss.

My work lent out several laptops to students and haven't had them back. They cannot afford to replace them.

Some schools definitely understand, I know a school where the IT suite was stripped in March as equipment was handed out to children without computer access, support was given about getting internet access, new laptops were ordered so there would be more equipment available now. Ordinary state comp.

What did you do during lockdown? My DC primary school and the secondary my DH works in sent out paper packs for anyone unable to access digital content. Just ask the school.

Or you can access content on a smartphone and write down the answers in a book take photos and submit them.