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.

Tell them. There is also broadband poverty - not everyone can afford it, and such people won't be able to get a laptop from a freebie site.

We are in a low income area and have been told if it comes down to it, laptops will be made available and to contact school ASAP if you might need one.

Just call them and tell them. You won’t be the only one. Shame your school isn’t up front about it though.

Its not the school... The guidance from DfE is that schools have to set up online learning. It must be the length of a school day and have live or recorded teaching via a computer (can use oak academy).

www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools#section-5-contingency-planning-for-outbreaks

You can apply for a laptop from your school, or if they don't have one the LA can provide one depending on your circumstances. They can also provide 4g routers so that you can get internet.

www.gov.uk/guidance/get-laptops-and-tablets-for-children-who-cannot-attend-school-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19&sa=D&ust=1600346412943000&usg=AFQjCNFvY6Df-Ab3GylH-J9xMwY6YlqrMQ

@cologne4711

It's also worth investigating your local library (if you're lucky enough to have one). They often have workstations available, you don't need your own device, but you will need to book in advance.

Ours hasn't reopened from Covid yet - you can order a book and it will be brought to the table blocking the entrance for you to collect but you shall not be allowed to enter the building at all.

Schools have had months to sort this out.Mine has only just started reception but they were all sent online learning over the summer to get them ready for school, had lots of zoom calls etc. it makes me so sad that some schools didn’t even do that for their pupils during lockdown. The inequalities in outcomes over this year between schools will be enormous. As much as the guidance has been unclear etc, there is no doubt schools themselves have provided a hugely different offer.

Amazon fire HD and similar tablets can be really inexpensive, and you can add bluetooth keyboards for typing. Yes it does not cost nothing but if you have anything you could sell (old toys, clothes etc) it's a manageable amount of money & makes good gift eg for a birthday.

Schools ARE aware, of course they bloody are, and they will help you, but they need to know about the minority of people in the position of having no way to access things, in order to help them. Talk to them.

Call the school and talk to them about it, you won’t be the only parent in that position.

And it’s short notice even if you could afford to go straight out and get a computer. I’ve got 2 primary school age DC (plus one DC in school nursery). We can afford to buy laptops so both school age DC can work online at once if necessary, but it’s not something we could definitely have bought and set up by Monday if we were told today that we needed one.

Also, someone mentioned using computers at the library - this isn’t a guaranteed solution right now, even assuming the pupils aren’t having to self-isolate.
In my council area, libraries are just starting to reopen. You can only access a library computer for a max time of 30 minutes as they don’t want people staying in the library for too long, and there’s no access at all to library printers or photocopiers. It’s better than no access to computers, but it wouldn’t give a child long to complete all their homework.

I think schools have provisions for those who don’t have physical laptop or even internet access. Don’t be embarrassed op. We do have all necessary requirements but can’t get access so I’ve had to tell dc to get physical paper copies. Schools are set up for this.

Don't feel embarrassed at all. I don't think it says anything about status or wealth. Until I got made redundant we didn't have a computer at home. We had work laptops and used those for our online activities if needed. We are quite well off, although mumsnet standards do confuse things.

Children don't generally need computers - they don't have bills to pay or direct debits to manage so I never even thought about it until I realised I may have some time without a job and that meant I wouldn't have a laptop to apply for jobs.

Does anyone have a tablet? Could it be done on a phone?

I’d be surprised if a house didn’t have one single device that could be used by one child.

More parents don’t want the child to use that particular device. However speak to the school but those £60 eBay pcs are not fire hazards or anything. They are done by legitimate companies as otherwise the old office computers would just end up at the tip once 2/3 years old. For a little more amazon who have the exact same sellers but people feel safer on there for some reason. Buy from a business not an individual and you will be fine.

@alphabetsoup1980

It's not the school, it's central government. They have recently issued schools with very specific guidance regarding remote learning. There guidance is on the basis that they've supplied schools with the appropriate materials, laptops for example. I don't know of one school that has had anything off the government. I really wish people would do a bit of basic research before calling schools out.....

On the other hand I know of a primary school in a deprived area that received a supply of laptops and dongles before the summer break.

Unfortunately they are still sitting unopened and unused in a cupboard at the school

@alphabetsoup1980

It's not the school, it's central government. They have recently issued schools with very specific guidance regarding remote learning. There guidance is on the basis that they've supplied schools with the appropriate materials, laptops for example. I don't know of one school that has had anything off the government. I really wish people would do a bit of basic research before calling schools out.....

This, 100%. Schools have been told they must provide online learning. They gave only a tiny proportion of the laptops requested by schools during lockdown, mostly not until end of June. Those went to only very specific pupils - particular year groups, looked after children, income/benefits. Even some of those who should have been eligible didn't get any as not enough were provided. Schools then had to make the final decision over which needy pupils were neediest.

Schools are being blamed for things government are responsible for, either being blamed for doing what they've been told they have to or being left to pick up the pieces after the government's latest pilaver. Cummings and Johnson must be laughing themselves silly.

You may be able to borrow one from the school? You are correct though in that they just assume people have them these days! They don't understand some folks use their phones for the internet or iPads...and not everyone even has the internet! It's annoying and rather thoughtless of them really.

Unfortunately they are still sitting unopened and unused in a cupboard at the school

Probably waiting for the ICT guy for the region to set them up - bog standard teachers don't have the admin rights and can't do much. I spent 5 months without Office as there was confusion over how many licences we had purchased (cock up at their end.) Wish I could have just downloaded Libre Office as a work around, but we're v limited with what we can do.

In 2010 Labour had a policy of a free computer and broadband for 300k low income families with school age children. The idea was to ensure all children had access to a computer to assist in completing homework, studying/research etc. Shortly after they lost power and it was scrapped

Schools do realise it but parents don’t always tell them so something like that is one way to check.
Not sure what else they can do tbh.

My school gave out 150+ chrome books over lockdown, we still had kids trying to do exam level work on smartphones... we also got only 120 back.. and another 40 of those were unusable/vbadly damaged. There’s no bottomless pit to keep supplying them.

Majority have access and the majority wins in a democracy. Why should most suffer for the few who the school can cater for with donation or offfline materials?

Please speak to the school. During lock down I was delivering paper work to 1/3 of my class.... you are far from being alone.

YWBU to refuse all work via the school app e.g. if it is something your child can do and you just upload a photo then you could do this via your phone. However, word docs are tricky enough on a tablet (with word) let alone on a smart phone.

As a tip though (if you do get a device), you can edit Word docs using Google Docs which is free, you just need to set up a Google account.