The Paperless Classroom

By Steve Katz Paperless Classroom Objectives Teachers will be able to implement paperless assignments in their classes. Teachers will be able to decide between Google Docs & e-mail for paperless assignments. Improved learning environment Improved organization More efficient Save the Earth? Conditions for Success 1:1 computing Bandwidth E-mail (and Google Docs) Method of disseminating information (LMS, web site, wiki, blog) Be prepared to fail Reasons to go paperless I'm not talking about Not using books An absolute ban I don't hate paper. Getting Started 1. Establish a routine 2. Collect e-mail addresses 3. Create group e-mail lists Assignment Formats 1. Software-based documents (attached to an e-mail) 2. Cloud documents (Google) 3. Web 2.0 Benefits of Software-Based Assignments Assignments are e-mailed to you. Student work on your hard drive. Due date easy to measure. (On Time?) Teacher is in control of work handed in. Students don’t name assignments correctly. Students don’t put correct subject in e-mail. Many files on hard drive. Problems Create “collection” to share with students Students create collection to share with teacher Collection naming system Class or block - student name File naming system Block/period - Assignment name - student name Google Docs (Cloud) Access anywhere with Internet Revision history No email Set permissions Can copy docs Collaboration Benefits No Internet Student can erase file Problems Collaboration Blogs, wikis, & nings Presentation Voicethread, Glogster, Prezi Google Form for turn in Web 2.0 Paperless http://stevenkatz.com http://twitter.com/stevekatz http://teachpaperless.blogspot.com/