Device for DC during home learning

[TwentinQuarantino]

On Monday the school texted asking DC whether they have a device or not for doing remote learning. We replied that we do, dc1 has his ipad and dc2 can use the family laptop. Other than that DH has his ipad which he needs daily wfh. Wednesday the school announced from next week they will be starting live lessons on Microsoft teams instead of written work on the usual app. This has coincided with DC1's ipad not even turning on (checked the charger and it's not that), and the shared laptop's camera doesn't work. I rang school who said all the funded laptops have been allocated and there is nothing they can do now. We can't afford to buy new devices at the moment, I've put a message out to family and friends if anyone can lend us something for older child atleast (year 6). Not heard anything back yet. I guess everyone is in the same boat.

School should be able to do something to help the DC surely I don't want them missing out on the live lessons as it's not a case of a week or two. It does seem like we will be home learning for a few months and they are already so behind.

A broken camera isn't the end of the world and that device can still be used to access the online learning.

I guess you're right. I've no experience of Microsoft teams so not sure how effectively dc can participate in the live lesson without a camera.

Wht about a kindle? Fairly cheap or look online for a second hand netbook. Most schools were never given enough netbooks. Hope you manage something

We often have to turn the camera off on teams in school as we don't have good enough broadband. He will syill see the teacher though. You can also access teams on your mobile

I've no experience of Microsoft teams so not sure how effectively dc can participate in the live lesson without a camera.

My kids are both using teams for live lessons. They hardly ever turn their camera on. The teacher is on the screen, my kids sometimes don’t even have their mics on and ask/answer questions using the chat function. Some teachers actually insist that cameras and mics are off and only chat box is used.

@EachDubh

Wht about a kindle? Fairly cheap or look online for a second hand netbook. Most schools were never given enough netbooks. Hope you manage something

Kindles don't support the Microsoft app. Do you have a ps4 or xbox? I'm told teams can be accessed using one of those although I'm not exactly sure how

Apparently you can also access teams using an Xbox or PlayStation. I haven’t had chance to much about with it yet though.

Sorry, 3 little, that’s what I get for skim reading the thread!

I’m going to make your day! We have the same issue and all you need to do is buy a very inexpensive webcam and attach it to your laptop. Job done!

My school have shared these if you have a PlayStation or Xbox.

Yeah you can use teams without a camera, many turn video off when on the meetings.

Also, there’s only so much school can do and they have limited resources.

Try a different charger and lead and leave it overnight charging. When mine refused to charge it was the contact points on the fire connection lead one side, a new cable worked but then it took ages to turn on, hours, and I couldn't leave it unplugged because the battery was shot

No camera needed so that solves that.

Have the school given timings of when they will live stream? It likely won't be all day long every day so you may be able to swap the kids over a bit.

Teams also works on smartphones so download it onto both your and dh phones to use as a backup.

We use teams but cameras are off by default for students. The camera won't be a problem.

Have you tried hard restarting the iPad? Googling the problem gets a few things to try.

Our school insist cameras are off on teams for safeguarding. You can use a Xbox or ps

Thank you for the ideas. We don't have an xbox or ps currently.

Webcam is a good idea, I will get ordering today. And yes as a last resort dc can use my smartphone (dh needs his throughout the day). I understand school's resources are stretched but I wish they had given some indication from the start that lessons will switch to live, then I could've put a request in at the time. DC are pupil premium and are usually supported in such circumstances.

Just buy a cheap plug in usb camera for the laptop

They haven't given timings yet. All they said is children need to dress appropriately during lessons ie not in pyjamas, topless etc, which made me think lessons will be interactive.

Our school sent instructions on how to use a PS4/ Xbox yesterday which I thought would be helpful for people. Do you have access to one of those?

A few children don’t have a camera and microphone in my kids school so they use the chat function for any questions etc.

Ooop, should have scrolled all the way down first 🤦🏻‍♀️. Just repeated what he already been said!

Before you spend money, ask the school about the need for a camera. My students cannot turn theirs on so it would be a waste of money!

Hopefully the school will have made a plan for lessons not to overlap.

Same comment as others too: webcams not vital. Don't worry about it until you need to.

School devices have had to be rationed for those with the least access.

Both my children have been using kindle fires to access Microsoft teams. Our school it department sent us details of how to put Google play on the fire
www.howtogeek.com/232726/how-to-install-the-google-play-store-on-your-amazon-fire-tablet/
I'm sorry I don't know how to make it click, that's how technical I am! But I did manage to follow this and so far it has worked well.
I would also agree that you probably don't need the camera as they are asked to keep theirs off for the live lessons

School should be able to do something to help the DC surely
They did do something- they asked you if you wanted a device and you turned it down. They aren't psychics. They also don't have an infinite supply of resources.