Teacher taking computer

[flygirl]

My DS has a class in the morning that is when announcements are read and they can finish homework. Sort of like study hall I guess. His teacher this year has a no computer use after announcements for playing games. DS was working on homework for a class and the teacher came over shut the window on the computer and took it away. He refused to give it back all day. You know - the same computer he needs for 5 other classes. DS has anxiety issues so he started crying and tried to explain but the teacher said he lost it.
This sounds like a major issue to me. Or am I overreacting? How do I approach this with the teacher without sounding like that parent who says don’t touch my property.

ETA DS was adding clip art to a brochure he was making for his lit class.  The teacher said it looked like a game so he took it.  The thing I’m pissed about is that DS told him what it was for and another kid said they were doing that.  Teacher didn’t give a crap he was wrong.  The thing that makes me the angriest is that he’s also a coach for one of the sports teams at school and NONE of the kids on said sports team ever get in trouble.  DS said just last week the teacher asked a kid if he was doing homework and the kid said sorry, no and closed his Chromebook and it wasn’t taken away.

I know lots of people say kids this age lie a lot but DS is not one of those kids.  He will follow the rules to his own detriment. He’s always been that way. I can honestly say I’ve never caught him or he’s never told 1/2 truths to cover up something.  I know it’s odd but it is what it is.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Are they school-issued computers?
Either way, I'd start by sending a brief email asking for the teacher to call you so you can clarify what happened so that you can help avoid your ds having his computer taken away in the future. And then when discussing, I'd ask for what the school policy is on taking computers away for more than that teacher's class (or hr period). If the school policy is that it goes away for the day when mis-used, then it's that teacher's prerogative to do so, and other teachers would need to provide paper copies of anything done online. But if that is the case, I would also clarify what exactly is mis-use so you can make sure your ds is following the rules.

[flygirl]

We own the laptop. It is not school issued. Most kids have their own chromebooks

[countthestars]

What grade?

[nicolewi]

I would be ragey about this. I think it’s a good idea to ask the teacher for clarification of the teacher’s side of the story before proceeding, because there definitely have been times, and I’ve been mad and then found out things weren’t exactly as I thought. But if it is exactly as your son reported it, I feel like that’s absolutely out of line and definitely overstepping on the part of the teacher. Frankly, even if he were using the computer for games, I don’t think it’s right to confiscate the computer for the entire day!

I really don’t know how a kid is supposed to go through the majority of the school day without a Chromebook, at least not the way my kids do things at school.

I would want to know whether taking the computer for so long was the teacher’s personal policy, vs what is the school policy. If If the teacher seemed to stand his ground and say that it could happen again, I wouldn’t hesitate to go over their head and complain about the policy.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Are students REQUIRED to have a computer at school for school use? If not, then even though many teachers expect kids to have them, then they should still be prepared for some kids to not have one on any given day.

I'm in the camp of, you may not agree with a teacher's policy or way they handle things (like with the clip-chart discipline stuff in another post), but if it doesn't go against the school policies, there isn't a lot you can do about it other than express your dislike of it (which probably isn't going to do much), and instruct your kid in how to best avoid dealing with that policy.

[flygirl]

8th and yes, they are required to have a Chromebook or laptop for most of their classes. They have a school site where all their homework is and slides/instruction material for class. They don’t actually have books in any of their classes.

[redheadk]

Sept 26, 2024 9:52:49 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

Are they school-issued computers?
Either way, I'd start by sending a brief email asking for the teacher to call you so you can clarify what happened so that you can help avoid your ds having his computer taken away in the future. And then when discussing, I'd ask for what the school policy is on taking computers away for more than that teacher's class (or hr period). If the school policy is that it goes away for the day when mis-used, then it's that teacher's prerogative to do so, and other teachers would need to provide paper copies of anything done online. But if that is the case, I would also clarify what exactly is mis-use so you can make sure your ds is following the rules.

100% agree.

I would start with asking for a phone call and asking the teacher to walk you through what happened then go from there.

I wouldn’t be happy at all about this but I find the best way to get info is to just ask the teacher what happened from their perspective instead of asking a bunch of specific questions. I would have questions written down, though, so you can be sure to ask those if not addressed by the teacher. You say that a device is required; what did your child do for the rest of the day? Was this a first offense? An ongoing issue?

[noodleoo]

I would be *very* upset about this. I would be asking the teacher to show the policy that allows them to take away the computer for the entire day. It sounds like a pretty minor offense for the teacher to punish the kid for the entire day! They may as well have just sent them home if they can't actually participate in school.

This would be traumatic to my kid. I'd be livid. The punishment seems extreme. Losing it for the rest of class, ok. Embarrassing her the entire day when she has to explain to all her teachers over and over again why she doesn't have a computer and also taking away her ability to participate in school the rest of the day is unacceptable.

[maudefindlay]

I wouldn't be anything yet, but in fact finding mode. I'd send a message asking what happened and their policy. A purely neutral message to start. Not that your DS isn't truthful, but there could be gaps and/or misunderstandings.

[hermione]

I'd send this email:

Hi Mr. Smith,

I wanted to clarify what happened the other day. Billy says he was working on homework using his laptop and that you took it away from him for playing games. He also indicated that you kept it from him for the entire school day so he couldn't use the computer in other classes. I want to make sure I have the correct story. Can you tell me why the computer was taken and if it is standard practice to keep it for the entire day?

Thanks,
Flygirl

[tiki]

I would also request to do this conversation as a phone call with the teacher to eliminate potential back-and-forth.

[CrazyLucky]

Putting aside the duration of the loss of computer, you need to get the teacher's side because your DS says he was doing homework. If that's the case, the teacher shouldn't have taken it away even by his own rules. But I totally agree with noodleoo, this is a class by class humiliation as your DS has to explain to every teacher why he doesn't have a computer. Seems excessive for a (possible) first offense.

[jinkies]

I'm having trouble getting past the fact that computers are required for class but not provided by the school.

I would send a neutral email asking for the teacher's version of the story. "Hi Mr. Brown, I understand that Johnny lost his computer for the day. Can you please clarify what happened? If it's easier to discuss on the phone, the best number to reach me is X. Thank you." Then go from there.

[wanderingback]

Sept 26, 2024 11:49:39 GMT -5 jinkies said:

I'm having trouble getting past the fact that computers are required for class but not provided by the school.

I would send a neutral email asking for the teacher's version of the story. "Hi Mr. Brown, I understand that Johnny lost his computer for the day. Can you please clarify what happened? If it's easier to discuss on the phone, the best number to reach me is X. Thank you." Then go from there.

Yes!
Someone else mentioned this in another thread about teachers requiring smart phone apps in class. That’s all so fucked up!

[meanie]

I would find out what happened from the teacher first but I would be seething inside.

If there was something nefarious enough to justify taking away his laptop for the entire day, I would expect the teacher to contact you. If the teacher didn't contact you then I would think whatever happened wasn't serious enough to justify taking the laptop away.

[archiethedragon]

It is a good lesson in consequences of not following the rules.

[niq]

I think it's worth calling or emailing to ask for the teacher's side of the story.

I would ask the school if they can either use GoGuardian or some other tool to let teachers manage student computer use, or find some non-computer solution for certain assignments as a backup. It might be hard to set something up for this year, though. Do teachers have printers in their rooms?

It is just not realistic to get middle schoolers to use laptops "responsibly" on a day-to-day basis without tools to help the teachers. Policing computer use by taking them away for inappropriate use is just too much of a time sink for teachers, leads to students unable to finish assignments, etc.

[niq]

Sept 26, 2024 13:41:26 GMT -5 meanie said:

I would find out what happened from the teacher first but I would be seething inside.

If there was something nefarious enough to justify taking away his laptop for the entire day, I would expect the teacher to contact you. If the teacher didn't contact you then I would think whatever happened wasn't serious enough to justify taking the laptop away.

The way this goes down at V's middle school last year is:

1. They take the computer away
2. They take the computer away and contact your parents
3. Formal disciplinary action (probably something like detention or other low-level punishment the first few times)

So at least in our situation, not hearing about it the first time would have been normal.

[nicolewi]

Sept 26, 2024 13:48:39 GMT -5 archiethedragon said:

It is a good lesson in consequences of not following the rules.

First, I disagree that this is appropriate even if a kid were breaking the rules, given the kids need their computers in order to participate in class work. second, by the student’s account, he was not breaking any rules. The teacher jumped to conclusions.

[redheadk]

Sept 26, 2024 14:38:40 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

Sept 26, 2024 13:48:39 GMT -5 archiethedragon said:

It is a good lesson in consequences of not following the rules.

First, I disagree that this is appropriate even if a kid were breaking the rules, given the kids need their computers in order to participate in class work. second, by the student’s account, he was not breaking any rules. The teacher jumped to conclusions.

Did I miss an update from the OP? If not, we really don’t know if the teacher jumped to conclusions just yet.

[Deleted]

Sept 26, 2024 14:49:37 GMT -5 redheadk said:

Sept 26, 2024 14:38:40 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

First, I disagree that this is appropriate even if a kid were breaking the rules, given the kids need their computers in order to participate in class work. second, by the student’s account, he was not breaking any rules. The teacher jumped to conclusions.

Did I miss an update from the OP? If not, we really don’t know if the teacher jumped to conclusions just yet.

The OP said the student was doing homework. The teacher’s policy is no games.

The only was I can see confusion on this is if the homework somehow looked like a game, and the teacher didn’t give the student a chance to clarify that it was in fact homework?

[jinkies]

Kids are notoriously unreliable narrators. Even my generally honest kid has definitely given "creative" recaps of events to make himself sound better.

So I will just reiterate that I would get the teacher's side of the story before lighting anything on fire.

[erbear]

I'd be upset that the teacher took their personal computer for the whole day. As a middle school teacher, I would be highly suspect that the kid wasn't gaming...and of course they will lie about it. Deal with that with your kid, then email the teacher to follow up just to ask for clarification. 

FWIW, I would have taken it and given it back at the end of the period. But we don't use computers that often, intentionally, to get kids off them so it is likely he wouldn't have needed it the rest of the day anyway at my school.

[nicolewi]

Sept 26, 2024 15:37:36 GMT -5 erbear said:

I'd be upset that the teacher took their personal computer for the whole day. As a middle school teacher, I would be highly suspect that the kid wasn't gaming...and of course they will lie about it. Deal with that with your kid, then email the teacher to follow up just to ask for clarification. 

FWIW, I would have taken it and given it back at the end of the period. But we don't use computers that often, intentionally, to get kids off them so it is likely he wouldn't have needed it the rest of the day anyway at my school.

I love that you try not to use computers! I think moving all kinds of textbooks, writing, and everything to screens is changing the way kids learn how to think, read, and process information.

[meanie]

Sept 26, 2024 16:47:10 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

Sept 26, 2024 15:37:36 GMT -5 erbear said:

I love that you try not to use computers! I think moving all kinds of textbooks, writing, and everything to screens is changing the way kids learn how to think, read, and process information.

+1

We have a good friend who's kid got into a great private high school, she was bragging about how everything is on their Chrome books and she thought a school that our other friend's kids go to was archaic for using actual books, paper, and pencils.

I was inwardly cringing because there is so much science behind the benefits of using physical media for learning. There is a place for tech in schools, but I am wary of using it for absolutely everything.

[redheadk]

Sept 26, 2024 15:23:30 GMT -5 @villainv said:

Sept 26, 2024 14:49:37 GMT -5 redheadk said:

Did I miss an update from the OP? If not, we really don’t know if the teacher jumped to conclusions just yet.

The OP said the student was doing homework. The teacher’s policy is no games.

The only was I can see confusion on this is if the homework somehow looked like a game, and the teacher didn’t give the student a chance to clarify that it was in fact homework?

I understand what the OP said. She has also not yet confirmed with the teacher what exactly happened. Kids don’t tell the truth for all sorts of reasons and often leave out important context. OP needs to do some fact finding before judgements are made about this teacher.

[pugz]

Sept 26, 2024 17:03:55 GMT -5 meanie said:

Sept 26, 2024 16:47:10 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

I love that you try not to use computers! I think moving all kinds of textbooks, writing, and everything to screens is changing the way kids learn how to think, read, and process information.

+1

We have a good friend who's kid got into a great private high school, she was bragging about how everything is on their Chrome books and she thought a school that our other friend's kids go to was archaic for using actual books, paper, and pencils.

I was inwardly cringing because there is so much science behind the benefits of using physical media for learning. There is a place for tech in schools, but I am wary of using it for absolutely everything.

That's so interesting because one of the reasons many people here want to send their kids to private school is because there is less tech use. 

[InBetweenDays]

Sept 26, 2024 19:55:40 GMT -5 redheadk said:

Sept 26, 2024 15:23:30 GMT -5 @villainv said:

The OP said the student was doing homework. The teacher’s policy is no games.

The only was I can see confusion on this is if the homework somehow looked like a game, and the teacher didn’t give the student a chance to clarify that it was in fact homework?

I understand what the OP said. She has also not yet confirmed with the teacher what exactly happened. Kids don’t tell the truth for all sorts of reasons and often leave out important context. OP needs to do some fact finding before judgements are made about this teacher.

Exactly. As the parent of a sophomore who had a bit of a rocky time in 8th grade and was great at spinning the narrative to support his version of events, I would definitely talk to the teacher to get the full story.

[redheadbaker]

Sept 26, 2024 16:47:10 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

Sept 26, 2024 15:37:36 GMT -5 erbear said:

I'd be upset that the teacher took their personal computer for the whole day. As a middle school teacher, I would be highly suspect that the kid wasn't gaming...and of course they will lie about it. Deal with that with your kid, then email the teacher to follow up just to ask for clarification. 

FWIW, I would have taken it and given it back at the end of the period. But we don't use computers that often, intentionally, to get kids off them so it is likely he wouldn't have needed it the rest of the day anyway at my school.

I love that you try not to use computers! I think moving all kinds of textbooks, writing, and everything to screens is changing the way kids learn how to think, read, and process information.

I think it's awesome that they're moving textbooks to online -- so much better for the student's physical health instead of carrying around all those huge books. 

I know DS' school, they use Chromebooks, but they also still write in notebooks, do math on paper, etc.