Where do your kids do their computer homework?
June 7, 2019 11:50 AM Subscribe
In what part of the house do your middle schoolers do computer homework? Do they have dedicated desks? Float around with laptops? Share a family computer in an open space? How do you keep them on task and away from distractions? How did you figure it out?
I'm moving to a new home and remodeling it. My oldest is entering 5th grade and doesn't have a lot of homework yet, but I'm sure it'll be picking up. He's also already learned to keep web games open in a new tab. He also likes exploring YouTube, which has been innocent enough for now (Minecraft howtos and BattleBots) but I need to remain aware of what he's getting into.
Mostly, I have a lot of signs that staying on task is going to be a challenge for this one when a computer is involved.
The new home is not a palace but we have an opportunity to carve out some space in a family/living area. I just don't know if I need to account for this or if I'm over thinking it and should figure it out organically.
I'm moving to a new home and remodeling it. My oldest is entering 5th grade and doesn't have a lot of homework yet, but I'm sure it'll be picking up. He's also already learned to keep web games open in a new tab. He also likes exploring YouTube, which has been innocent enough for now (Minecraft howtos and BattleBots) but I need to remain aware of what he's getting into.
Mostly, I have a lot of signs that staying on task is going to be a challenge for this one when a computer is involved.
The new home is not a palace but we have an opportunity to carve out some space in a family/living area. I just don't know if I need to account for this or if I'm over thinking it and should figure it out organically.
Two children, girls. one finished college, one still in high school.
When they had desktops, it was in the Family room. When they got laptops, the family room, the kitchen, random spot on the floor.
When the oldest turned 18 and graduated, we allowed it in her room. (they did not have TV's in their room).
I found that laptops were great for my eldest who had a hard time sitting still. But she was also the child that fought any homework regardless.
posted by ReiFlinx at 12:09 PM on June 7, 2019
When they had desktops, it was in the Family room. When they got laptops, the family room, the kitchen, random spot on the floor.
When the oldest turned 18 and graduated, we allowed it in her room. (they did not have TV's in their room).
I found that laptops were great for my eldest who had a hard time sitting still. But she was also the child that fought any homework regardless.
posted by ReiFlinx at 12:09 PM on June 7, 2019
homework at the kitchen table, until there got to be too many hours of homework to be done before it was time for dinner. then homework moved to the bedroom at a desk there. putting away everything to set the table and then have to pull it all out again was too much of a hassle.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 12:44 PM on June 7, 2019
posted by misanthropicsarah at 12:44 PM on June 7, 2019
I put a basic homework desk for each kid in the living room, each with simple dedicated lighting. I don't want their stuff in the way when I need to work at the kitchen counter or serve meals on the dining table.
They also have a comfy couch in their room where they do less intense stuff and mess around with their laptop etc. But I see that having a dedicated homework desk is useful when they really need to concentrate: I don't hover, but not having privacy there means they actually focus on their work rather than let themselves get distracted as they do in their room.
posted by fingersandtoes at 12:51 PM on June 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
They also have a comfy couch in their room where they do less intense stuff and mess around with their laptop etc. But I see that having a dedicated homework desk is useful when they really need to concentrate: I don't hover, but not having privacy there means they actually focus on their work rather than let themselves get distracted as they do in their room.
posted by fingersandtoes at 12:51 PM on June 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
fingersandtoes' approach worked well for me and my brother, and it was by accident; one room in the house was far easier to heat than the rest and everyone migrated there in winter.
posted by clew at 1:56 PM on June 7, 2019
posted by clew at 1:56 PM on June 7, 2019
My kids use laptops (our school district issues them). Our bedrooms are upstairs, so laptops and phones stay downstairs. One of my kids has the habit of sitting so their computer screen can't be seen by anyone else, which I find faintly annoying but I do acknowledge they've got a cosy nest set up on the sofa and it might just be how things worked out. One kid has a desk in their room but they're expected to do anything electronic in the living room or dining room. The other kid doesn't have a desk at all. I haven't found a good way to make sure they're staying on target other than asking them, which works fairly well but isn't perfect.
You're not overthinking it.
posted by The corpse in the library at 2:42 PM on June 7, 2019
You're not overthinking it.
posted by The corpse in the library at 2:42 PM on June 7, 2019
Little ashtray elvis enjoys doing her homework at the kitchen table or peninsula in the kitchen.
She has not inherited any of my easily distracted traits. I created an office to run my business out of so I could concentrate.
She has a proper desk, with lighting and space. Not interested.
This public space stuff goes for laptop, books or research.
I so wish I was like her.
posted by ashtray elvis at 3:16 PM on June 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
She has not inherited any of my easily distracted traits. I created an office to run my business out of so I could concentrate.
She has a proper desk, with lighting and space. Not interested.
This public space stuff goes for laptop, books or research.
I so wish I was like her.
posted by ashtray elvis at 3:16 PM on June 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Many kids benefit from a designated Workspace - whether a public/private desk or a spot at the kitchen table, etc. It helps to establish a location where Work Gets Done. Just find somewhere that works for your kids and your family.
posted by gnutron at 3:58 PM on June 7, 2019
posted by gnutron at 3:58 PM on June 7, 2019
5th grader and 2nd grader here. Only the 5th grader has computer homework at this point. She does it on my laptop (which she does not have the password for) at the kitchen table, during the afternoon and/or evening while I and/or my husband are around. Next year in 6th grade, the school will issue an iPad to each student that she will be responsible for. I assume there will be restrictions on what is able to be installed on the school iPads. She also has a phone (the cheapest Samsung available) but she isn’t allowed any phone time after 7pm, and she may not bring it to her room, it has to stay downstairs at night. She doesn’t have an email address or any social media accounts.
posted by fancyoats at 4:15 PM on June 7, 2019
posted by fancyoats at 4:15 PM on June 7, 2019
We have a high schooler and another off at college. Our general rule is "technology stays downstairs" so most homework (and parent computer work) is done in the living room or dining room. Our other rule is "your screen needs to be visible" which sometimes contributed to drama with child #1, but ended up being an important parenting tool for setting boundaries and good habits.
Both kids had hand-me-down laptops, but son preferred to use the shared family computer because it is better for 3D modeling. We converted that workstation to a standing desk because his posture was horrible and that was a win. Daughter would float around with her laptop (also with bad posture, but she refused to try the standing desk and you gotta pick your battles.)
In middle school, homework was done on the dining room table or sometimes in the kitchen, but that stopped being a good idea as schoolwork and projects got more complicated. We set up a card table in the corner of the living room for daughter when she started high school because she likes to spread out when she works. She would sometimes work in her bedroom but usually chose to work downstairs because she was more productive in a shared space. Once she went to college, her brother took over the table but still uses the standing desk as well.
Husband uses a standing desk in the dining room. I float around with a laptop. We all work in the same space and like it, but we have a high tolerance for wires and dongles and books and projects. It would not work for everyone! We've got cables and tech all over the place, but if we need to look presentable we can stow stuff away pretty easily. Eventually, we will have no kids at home and our living room will look more like an adult space. I will be both happy and very sad when that happens.
Other useful things for getting work done: Pomodro , myNoise , headphones and designated space for each person's books and papers.
posted by heidiola at 5:13 PM on June 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Both kids had hand-me-down laptops, but son preferred to use the shared family computer because it is better for 3D modeling. We converted that workstation to a standing desk because his posture was horrible and that was a win. Daughter would float around with her laptop (also with bad posture, but she refused to try the standing desk and you gotta pick your battles.)
In middle school, homework was done on the dining room table or sometimes in the kitchen, but that stopped being a good idea as schoolwork and projects got more complicated. We set up a card table in the corner of the living room for daughter when she started high school because she likes to spread out when she works. She would sometimes work in her bedroom but usually chose to work downstairs because she was more productive in a shared space. Once she went to college, her brother took over the table but still uses the standing desk as well.
Husband uses a standing desk in the dining room. I float around with a laptop. We all work in the same space and like it, but we have a high tolerance for wires and dongles and books and projects. It would not work for everyone! We've got cables and tech all over the place, but if we need to look presentable we can stow stuff away pretty easily. Eventually, we will have no kids at home and our living room will look more like an adult space. I will be both happy and very sad when that happens.
Other useful things for getting work done: Pomodro , myNoise , headphones and designated space for each person's books and papers.
posted by heidiola at 5:13 PM on June 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Middle school teacher, parent. As others have said, computers (and phones) don't belong in the bedroom. Should be in a public space, such as kitchen, where you can see the screen, but it is important they have a place that is their own. Can't keep them from playing games/chatting with friends while they work, but it should be out in the open. You don't need to comment on it or try to restrict it.
Many of my students' parents were under the impression their kids had hours of hours of homework when they were just watching sports/chatting/playing games/watching videos.
posted by Peach at 7:38 PM on June 7, 2019
Many of my students' parents were under the impression their kids had hours of hours of homework when they were just watching sports/chatting/playing games/watching videos.
posted by Peach at 7:38 PM on June 7, 2019
I homeschooled four kids and a LOT of time was spent on computers. Sometimes, it was in the living room or kitchen. Often, it was a laptop anywhere in the house (except the bathroom - no computers in the bathroom!) or outside, even on/under the trampoline. ( A favorite space to hang out, lol.)
I found they were either good at staying on task or they weren't. Supervision software and time-management software installed on the laptops made a significant difference when necessary, and went a long way toward improving their own behavior choices and time-management skills.
posted by stormyteal at 11:36 PM on June 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
I found they were either good at staying on task or they weren't. Supervision software and time-management software installed on the laptops made a significant difference when necessary, and went a long way toward improving their own behavior choices and time-management skills.
posted by stormyteal at 11:36 PM on June 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
She sat at the dining room table with a laptop and her back to me in the kitchen so if I peeked my head out I could see over her shoulder at whether she was doing homework or not. The system sucked but was the only one that sort of semi worked.
posted by latkes at 9:59 PM on June 9, 2019
posted by latkes at 9:59 PM on June 9, 2019
Oh yes we also used ColdTurkey and parental controls to limit her internet access during certain hours.
posted by latkes at 10:00 PM on June 9, 2019
posted by latkes at 10:00 PM on June 9, 2019
This thread is closed to new comments.
Homework is done on the school issued computer at the table in our kitchen/dining area. This area has decent seating, a table (useful for all sorts of homework), excellent lighting, and company in the form of a parent who is also in the area doing "stuff". In addition, they can have snacks while doing homework, which they can't do in the other room.
Desktop gaming PC is set up in the living room (where the TV also is) in sight and sound of the kitchen but not in the same room. Homework could technically be done on the "big" computer but functionally the school-issued laptop is just easier. It is not unusual for kid to be on the their big computer on a discord chat with friends while gaming while a parent is on the sofa looking at a different device doing a different thing.
Kitchen table has proved to be a great homework space, however.
posted by anastasiav at 12:02 PM on June 7, 2019 [1 favorite]