OT: Xmas Dilemma

[TheVictors]

The way the tablets are used in the classroom is pretty interesting. For the older kids, it allows the teacher to pose questions and have kids answer at their desk. The teacher can see the answers and identify kids who are struggling and without the shame of "coming up to the board and doing the problem."

I figure in a few more years, it will be just like Minority Report with virtual everything

 

[Michchamp]

I still use my TI-85....

I found my old HP-48GX - it also still worked - years later when I was in law school (and broke) and sold it on amazon marketplace for something like $160. I was surprised to see they were almost selling for more than they originally sold for. I probably could've gotten even more for it if I would've kept it in better shape.

unlike you, I have no use for a graphing calculator on a day-to-day basis anymore.

 

[Michchamp]

The way the tablets are used in the classroom is pretty interesting. For the older kids, it allows the teacher to pose questions and have kids answer at their desk. The teacher can see the answers and identify kids who are struggling and without the shame of "coming up to the board and doing the problem."

I figure in a few more years, it will be just like Minority Report with virtual everything

that's kinda cool. I guess as long as they spend some time teaching kids to read, write and do arithmetic without a tablet first, it could make them more effective in the long run.

 

[thewolverines24]

I always enjoyed going to the board to work out math problems. My favorite math teacher always sent the class up in groups and gave us each a different problem to work out. Then we had to explain our work to the class.

 

[UMRules06]

I think an ipad for a 7 year old is ok, however you should make sure to monitor the usage like others have said. If you are in charge of all the apps and things that he plays with, then you won't have to worry as much about what he's doing on there.

Both my 11 and 7 year old nieces have their own ipads, and unfortunately they do spend an awful lot of time on them. Most of it is spent on things like Minecraft or girly games like Mall World or something, but I constantly worry that their parents let them play on them for too long. I would definitely think about setting either a daily or weekly quota for how long he can be on the thing. Balance is important, so things like taking them to the park to run around, or playing with more traditional toys should be encouraged as well.

Minecraft in particular to me looked like it was turning their brains to mush when I first watched them play it. The graphics looked silly, and it just seemed like they were just mindlessly breaking apart rocks for hours on end. After reading up on it a bit more and understanding the game better, it actually seems like it is a good game for kids. There's elements of problem-solving, creativity, exploration, planning, resource management, and other things like that. What little violence there is in the game is very cartoony and easy to handle.

So I guess the more we understand of something, the more we can see the benefits.

 

[jever4321]

My wife and I work on our boys Christmas list with them and we talk about the big items they are requesting Santa to bring. We talk about all the other kids in the world that don't have those kinds of things. I think it's important that they are part of the decision to not ask Santa for the item if you decide not to move forward with that gift. That's much better than the disappointment of the surprise that it didn't come.

 

[TheVictors]

Yeah, we're reaaaaallly familiar with Minecraft at our house! And fwiw, I read an article a few weeks back about how teachers use Minecraft and for the reasons you cite, UMRules.

As it is, our kiddo has a Wii and a DSI (which he rarely plays anymore) and we are rather strict in terms of his use of both. The frustrating part is the reaction he has at times to being told to shut it down ...it's like taking crack from a crackhead!

And worse, to some extent, is that he will get off the iPad and sit down to draw and color and will draw ....an iPad with Minecraft or other games.

"Go outside and play!!!"

[I'm getting old, heh]

 

[TheVictors]

My wife and I work on our boys Christmas list with them and we talk about the big items they are requesting Santa to bring. We talk about all the other kids in the world that don't have those kinds of things. I think it's important that they are part of the decision to not ask Santa for the item if you decide not to move forward with that gift. That's much better than the disappointment of the surprise that it didn't come.

When he was 2yrs old, he asked Santa for a "Giant Sweeper" to which Santa paused and replied, "A giant sweeper?"

Yeah, he wanted one of these ... LOL!

 

[deathroh]

side notes:

- I think you also have to consider what your kid's peers are doing/getting. While it's no reason to spoil a kid, I think growing up without the things the kids around him have does do some psychological damage. look at how kenny gets treated on south park.

- I wish I could get away with telling my kid there is no Santa Claus. the sooner he learns not to believe in stupid fairy tales, the better off he'll be. But teh wife is not in agreement with that, and I do concede given the peer pressures kids face, it's shitty for parents to do anything that makes their kid stand out from the herd.

I feel like an asshole for telling my 3 year old about Santa Claus. Just doesn't seem right to condition kids to be lied to.

 

[TheVictors]

Santa Claus and the "magic" of Christmas seen through your kid's eyes is amazing....

I get sad knowing we're almost to the age where that "magic" will be gone. Kids grow up far too fast these days and though it's probably said with every generation, being a kid should be the best time of life. No need to rush into being "grown up" and finding out just how shitty life really is, mostly.

 

[deathroh]

Santa Claus and the "magic" of Christmas seen through your kid's eyes is amazing....

I get sad knowing we're almost to the age where that "magic" will be gone. Kids grow up far too fast these days and though it's probably said with every generation, being a kid should be the best time of life. No need to rush into being "grown up" and finding out just how shitty life really is, mostly.

Yeah, this will really be the first year he knows what's going on, so I haven't gotten the payoff yet.

I definitely agree with keeping them in that bubble as long as possible.

 

[jever4321]

I feel like an asshole for telling my 3 year old about Santa Claus. Just doesn't seem right to condition kids to be lied to.

Fuck that. There's no way you can steal that time from you kids. It's so cute to see the wonder in their eye. Let 'em be kids... Champ's kid will wind up being a unibomber if he grows up with no Santa....

 

[jever4321]

Santa Claus and the "magic" of Christmas seen through your kid's eyes is amazing....

I get sad knowing we're almost to the age where that "magic" will be gone. Kids grow up far too fast these days and though it's probably said with every generation, being a kid should be the best time of life. No need to rush into being "grown up" and finding out just how shitty life really is, mostly.

Didn't see this before I posted. I totally agree! Also love the street sweeper request. How did you handle that one? Lol!

 

[tinselwolverine]

When I was a little kid, I wanted Santa to bring me a Superboy outfit that would actually give me Superboy's powers.

I thought to myself "if Santa can do all that shit that he does, he should be able to do that."

But I never told anybody - I guess even then I knew deep down inside how retarded it was.

I don't know if I managed to mail Santa a letter asking for it on the sly - I'm not sure I would have known how to mail a letter by myself back then.

 

[UMRules06]

Santa is a magical part of any kids life. I know some cynical people think it's wrong to have our kids worship somebody just because they give them presents, but that's where the parents need to be involved in teaching them about what makes the idea of Santa so special. It shouldn't be about greed or the anticipation of expensive presents. It's about the spirit of giving unto others. Santa gives presents to ALL the good children in the world, not just you. I was moved nearly to tears one Christmas when my niece said she was so excited for Christmas because all the poor children in the world would be happy because of Santa. She loves the idea of shopping for all her family members just as much as what she's actually going to get herself. SHe's 11 now, so I don't even know for sure if she believes in Santa anymore. Probably not.

To me, the magic of christmas hasn't changed even though I'm an adult now. Yes I was probably disappointed when I first came to terms with the idea that Santa wasn't real, but it didn't make me feel animosity towards my parents for lying to me. I think I understood why they did it, even when I was just a youngin.

 

[jever4321]

Also could pick up an iPod touch for around $175.... Not sure if that'll do.

 

[jever4321]

When I was a little kid, I wanted Santa to bring me a Superboy outfit that would actually give me Superboy's powers.

I thought to myself "if Santa can do all that shit that he does, he should be able to do that."

But I never told anybody - I guess even then I knew deep down inside how retarded it was.

I don't know if I managed to mail Santa a letter asking for it on the sly - I'm not sure I would have known how to mail a letter by myself back then.

Come on tinsel. That was 3-4 years ago. We know. ;-)

 

[jever4321]

Santa is a magical part of any kids life. I know some cynical people think it's wrong to have our kids worship somebody just because they give them presents, but that's where the parents need to be involved in teaching them about what makes the idea of Santa so special. It shouldn't be about greed or the anticipation of expensive presents. It's about the spirit of giving unto others. Santa gives presents to ALL the good children in the world, not just you. I was moved nearly to tears one Christmas when my niece said she was so excited for Christmas because all the poor children in the world would be happy because of Santa. She loves the idea of shopping for all her family members just as much as what she's actually going to get herself. SHe's 11 now, so I don't even know for sure if she believes in Santa anymore. Probably not.

To me, the magic of christmas hasn't changed even though I'm an adult now. Yes I was probably disappointed when I first came to terms with the idea that Santa wasn't real, but it didn't make me feel animosity towards my parents for lying to me. I think I understood why they did it, even when I was just a youngin.

Good stuff! My 8 year old boys are more excited to buy stuff for one another than they are about getting their own lists together. They keep asking if today's the day they can go shopping for their brother. So stinkin' cute...

 

[TheVictors]

Didn't see this before I posted. I totally agree! Also love the street sweeper request. How did you handle that one? Lol!

HA, he was so little ...

 

[michdad1]

Splurge!!!! You'll like it (giving) more. I never regretted.

Life's too short. YOLO!