To refuse to sign form for DD to have a school iPad?

[user63214]

Last year DD (8) school introduced iPads which they all brought home to complete homework/ use Apps. On a number of occasions DD dropped it accidentally, forgot where is was or to charge it.
For this year they have just sent out forms saying children will receive their iPads once we have signed the form acceptability liability for any damage/loss etc. AIBU? If school decide they want to use iPads they need to accept some may be damaged. Also unsure what happens if the damage happens on school property.

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Don't be ridiculous.

I don't think I'd want to sign for an iPad either. I'd rather buy a cheap tablet for them to do the work on or have them do it on my phone or laptop.

Yeah, I wouldn’t be signing that either. They don’t need iPads at all at that age, but if they insist on it then it won’t be me liable for the cost. I’m prepared to pay if my child deliberately breaks an iPad in an act of vandalism. Giving 8 year olds expensive tech to take home and then being worried about the cost of the inevitable accidental breakages is ridiculous.

YABU your DD is old enough to take responsibility for an iPad. Unless you are going to drip feed a SEN.
just saw your DD is 8 years old! YANBU. I thought it said yr 8!

I dont think you're being unreasonable but at the same time how will she do the homework if its online?

Obviously YABU. An 8 year old should be more than capable of looking after an iPad. Maybe this will be a good lesson in teaching her responsibility. What do you expect her to use for homework if you don’t want the school one and presumably don’t want to purchase your own?

I wouldn’t want my dc having an iPad at 8. They can use computers at school. We complete any online homework on our laptops or phones. I’m also very happy just to print anything on paper to complete. Absolutely no need for more screens in primary school, including for homework. Yes, for any children who do not have access to a device at home, there should be the option for some arrangements to level the playing field, sure.

Are you sure it's not just an option for the students that don't have a device that they can use at home? I find it unlikely that the school would be buying IPads for every child when so many children have THEIR OWN computer/IPad/Tablet and more will have a family one or two that they can use for stuff. I would have thought it is just for those children who have no access to a home device or only one shared with upteen siblings!

Are they providing cases for them to protect against damage? Or just giving them an iPad? I am with you, if they have a computer/ tablet at home they can use for h/ w why do they need at iPad- and more importantly where on earth is the money coming from to provide each child with an iPad (am presuming they all get one)- I can think of better ways to spend money. Though think those who dont have access to something at home should get one.

The internet still exists outside of that specific iPad.

She can just log in and complete the homework on the family computer.

At my nephew's school if you don't sign you just queue to get one at the start of the day at the office and hand it back at the end. Any device can access the homework site.

Is these mandatory nowadays? What happens if a child doesn't have internet at home?

Homework is optional in primary so an iPad isn’t needed.

All the 6th formers are issued iPads where my son goes. They have some sort of industrial casing that would withstand being dropped and probably trodden on (not about to try either!).
I would expect the same from ones issued at primary school.

Where I am the school would give you a dongle

YANBU
I see how some of my Year 3 and 4 children look after their books and reading records - no way!
I also think it’s completely unnecessary- as a teacher and a parent.
I wouldn’t sign either!

Maybe kids these days are different but I hate doing anything on a tablet beyond reading or watching a video. (I imagine the homework is a little more involved than that!) I'd so much rather use a proper computer. Even a phone would be much preferable.

This happened to us. My DC's screen on the IPad cracked and we had to pay £100 for a new screen.

I wouldn't want an 8 year old responsible for that expensive an object, especially not one that has to be yelled back and forth outside the home every day. So I don't think you're being unreasonable, no.

My son's school-issue iPad came with a keyboard, so it's pretty much like a very small and more portable lap top.

8 year olds should not be doing homework on line. It is not necessary and not good for them.

I don't want my 8 year old having a device and I definitely wouldn't take responsibility for it!

I'd ask for the homework to be printed on paper if it's important.

This is happening in Fife. I think that it's nuts.

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/people/fifes-ps50m-rollout-of-ipads-to-transform-learning-for-30000-school-pupils-gets-underway-5285292

Schools should provide home work on paper.

I wouldn't either. Mainly because there's just no need. I'm sick of everything being on a screen. It's easier just to do it on paper. Also whenever will these children experience the joy of shopping for cool stationery??? Essential!