It could be said that I'm quite precious about it and that's because it's like the last shred of anything left that's me and mine alone. Well, it was.
It seems internet access is more or less a must now for children as young as him (eight) to be able to do their homework and we're lucky that we have it because, as easy as it is to take it for granted, not everyone does or is able to and this must pose a problem.
He already suffers
a little social exclusion because he is entitled to free school meals and the Pupil Premium that comes with it, which means pulling him out of his normal classes (or something I'm completely vexed about, even his class Christmas party, along with all the others who get it) for extra reading and writing tuition, despite the fact he doesn't need it and it would be hard to bear if this were to be stretched further again, because it can be crippling.
However, it seems if the school handles it right, this not need be the case. Aly says her girls had/ have use of their VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) which helped before she had her own laptop and it seems most schools offer some sort of homework clubs at lunch time or after hours. I guess it doesn't necessarily have to mean this is just because it can't be done at home with so many kids taking part in so many after school activities nowadays and there is often a local library that offers the same. For older children this can have exactly the opposite social effect!
The lovely Helen has found that being able to log in and complete homework on line though has been a godsend and it has really improved her son's maths. It has certainly given mine more impetus to
So there's me thinking this is the future Peeps, only to find that Angie's daughter, who's just left High School (and since when did we start calling it that?!) at 18, has required access to the internet for her homework her whole time there, with laptops being lent out as required and I have a friend whose daughter, 11, 'had to have' a computer of her own for Christmas as she has just started Senior School and their own PC wasn't up to what she needs for hers. So it's the past too, as well as a present (geddit?)!
But it gets worse/better - Annie has found herself sharing theirs with her five year old who's been asked to research their local village on-line, Jenny, whose eldest is also eight says 'How else would we find out what the socio-economic climate of the Cook Islands is?' with their school offering funding for families if it's really needed and Cass talks of one that goes a step further by actually having a payment scheme set up so parents can pay monthly for an ipod touch for children from year 5 upwards.
The Crazy Helen says her eldest two are always pestering for the laptop, particularly the older one as much of his homework is done on the school homework website and he also needs the use of a printer, but must use the school one because she doesn't have colour ink. Resist, I say. Resist.
So it seems our little grapples are just the beginning of things to come.
*goes for a lie down*
*starts saving*
*clutches laptop closer*
Yes, but the laptop is MINE.... all mine.
ReplyDeleteSorry, *smacks self round face*. They can use it for homework but only if they can't access what they need on their tablets or the main PC.
I am a nice mother, honestly.
I don't like him near my tablet either. You are a nicer mother than I am! ;)
DeleteWe rarely have the laptop on and at home just use tablets. school send home suggested extra activities you can do online but they rarely can be done on a tablet and are not compulsory. Reading eggs can be however which is great news!
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd known about Reading Eggs when my children were younger. Seriously the maths homework we get online is brilliant! Thanks Anya for including my thoughts
DeleteMmm. Interesting. *Hides ipad*
DeleteThat was one thing the kids never fought over was computer time, weird.
ReplyDeleteProbably something to do with living in Canada and not in rainy England?! x
DeleteI think this year will be the year that my oldest, 11 will need to have his own laptop.I will more than likely let him have mine and buy a new one for myself ;)
ReplyDeleteHence the *starts saving* Can be the only answer to sanity and peace!
DeleteOh dear God. Younger and younger. But then none of this should come as a surprise to me, as Aaron's class at nursery have their own ipad, and that's the 3-5 year olds. Even his younger 2-3 year old class (same building) had one.
ReplyDeleteI think you need to get schmoozy with a computer company and wrestle one off them in exchange for a review so that your big boy no longer wrestles yours off you.
xxx
You're not helping Liska! X
Deletegreat post....well apart from the bit where I get called The Crazy Helen....not your friend anymore!!! :P
ReplyDeletex
Darling - the evidence is all out there ;) x
DeleteGoodness, I've got all this to look forward too. Thank goodness we only have daily spellings to deal with at the moment!
ReplyDeleteIt'll be here before you know it! x
DeleteThe Crazy Helen?? Hahahahahahahahahaaa
ReplyDeleteShe thinks we haven't noticed x
DeleteI think that technology and on-line research are such a huge part of the working world now that technology has to be an integrated part of education, rather just a one hour IT lesson. Schools I have worked in have always offered lunchtime clubs and financial support packages for families so that everyone has access so watch out as technology is becoming more and more a part of education so you might need to share your laptop - all in the pursuit of education of course!
ReplyDeleteNot helping Kirsty...... ;) x
DeleteWhen they need my computer then I know it's time to buy them their own. Mine is MINE! *clings on to pooter for dear life*
ReplyDelete*High five*
DeleteRoo got a tablet for Christmas as she was pestering us to use the laptop or my tablet. I think kids need to be able to access technology however the cost of new equipment can be very high.
ReplyDeleteIt's not looking good, is it?
Deletei need to leave the laptop sitting on the desk more or borrow it...but then i am afraid i might just take the iPad...
ReplyDeletelovely post x
I believe they're called #firstworldproblems ! x
DeleteMy 13yo is in secondary school and does not have books but has ebooks on an ipad!
ReplyDelete*nods knowingly now*
DeleteI think it's a little bit sad that kids need technology so much these days. What happened to going to the library and searching through index cards for books?
ReplyDeleteIs it just me who misses the old days?
I'm FROM the old days Emma - and no it's not, but I think it's all about finding things in a nanosecond nowadays :( x
DeleteKids are too reliant on it. too much emphasis these days on apps this and apps that!
ReplyDeleteNot in this house Paul, as you may have gathered, but I have to admit we have a few - inc a maths one!
DeleteMy goodness me, how times have changed!!!! This will be Little A when she gets older, actually, no, she's already started doing it for games etc. I remember coming home with a pile of text books and exercise books.... X
ReplyDeleteYou're time's a comin - and yes, we all had back and shoulder ache too!
Delete