Paperless Classroom
Attempts to utilise new technology in improving student learning experiences[1] is growing and altering the way students learn.[2] Classrooms, schools and universities are making use of mobile devices and computers in the enhancement of student academic performance.[3] The shift to use of technology within the learning environment creates a Paperless Classroom.[3] A paperless classroom is a learning methodology which uses applications and software as a replacement to traditional pen and paper.[4] This methodology in a classroom has gained traction due to being sustainable for the environment, as well as the integration of technology appealing to the younger generation of students.[5]
Concept
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Paperless classrooms comprise of educators and learners who make use of laptops, iPads and other digital tools as direct alternatives to printed textbooks and notebooks.[4] This methodology promotes the essential shift from workbooks and note pads to a virtual space where learners find resources and carry out academic activities using information technology.[6] In this system, the learner accesses materials through the internet and uses interactive quizzes, applications, animations, and other digital technologies.[6] Use of applications, laptops and digital assignments allow students to log on and connect to classmates and teachers even when not present in school as well as research, create and complete projects and assignments at individual pace.[2] Furthermore, teachers are able to assess and provide feedback to completed work at real-time from their own laptops.[2] Use of this new model of teaching has been highlighted as beneficial, allowing for the development of critical thinking and creativity through collaborative learning.[2] Older, traditional classroom work has been labelled as outdated with focus on content and a lack of self-directed learning and lessons on 21st century skills.[2] Educators in university from the United Arab Emirates who are shifting to paperless classrooms hope that the integration of technology allows for the enhancement of results, bridging of skills learned in the classroom to workspaces and promotion of diversity in skills that can be learned.[7] A study by a consulting firm called Booz & Co. highlights that digitalising classrooms supports the creation of future labour-intensive jobs in sectors of manufacturing.[7] These creations of jobs can impact the gross domestic product in developing economies like the Middle East, Africa and Asia.[7] Overall, the method has found to have several benefits on student learning as well as future economic growth although there are some challenges when being implemented for use in a classroom.
Benefits
Environmental Benefits
Digital upgrades to learning tools allow for the shift from paper to online tools, increasing efficiency.[8] Use of paper is destructive to the environment, with species lives endangered due to deforestation, water shortages and energy in creating paper causing emissions of harmful gases to the atmosphere that also impact rate of global warming.[8] On average K-12 schools spend $50,000 per year on paper and printing.[4] Similarly an American School spends $25,000 annually on paper.[9] Shifting to online tools like PDFs that allow for annotation and feedback can reduce the cost and use of printing paper. Additionally, reducing paper load can lighten the amount of materials students are required to bring from home to school.[8] Fewer materials can lighten the strain on muscles as well as ensure that all materials are at hand on one device - decreasing excuses of tasks being left at home.[8]
Sustainable Efficient Workflow
All work is online, allowing for track of exams and tasks.[9] A cloud system is also beneficial in which teachers are able to track student work and progress over time.[9]
Teachers Saving Time
The process of printing documents, making copies and distributing back to students is inefficient.[4] Resources are available instantly online where students are able to access it all the time and cannot lose it.[5] Similarly annotation tools of PDFs files allow for teachers to save time as well as results in numeracy and literacy activities becoming interactive.[4] Students can see teacher's comments and make their own annotations enhancing assessment tasks.[4] Online grading systems also keep everything on track decreasing risk of losing or misplacing assessment tasks that are part of student grades.[4] Homework can also be assigned after class - allowing for teachers to reflect and decide what is appropriate for students.[3] Teachers are also able to reuse materials through use of the cloud where materials can be carried over or removed if a curriculum changes.[5] The paperless classroom system results in a student's richer learning experience as well as decreases the workload for teachers.[5]
Student Engagement
Students who are not motivated or persistent in learning often do not respond to activities on paper in classrooms.[4] It is highlighted that students are better engaged with activities on digital interfaces as individuals are able to approach tasks with own creative freedom.[4] Digital, audio-visual formats like videos are also a more engaging way to consume and learn information then one-dimensional paper used in traditional classrooms.[9] Using pen and paper is also not always the best way to approach a writing task depending on individual students.[4] Use of a tablet with both typing and a touch screen application allows for students interest in the task not being lost.[4] Mayo (2009) has also highlighted that game elements within learning are beneficial specifically, systems that adapt to the pace and learning style of specific users.[3] These online tasks also provide individuals practice in use of a digital learning environment which are often present in university.[4]
Challenges
Distractions
Students can be tempted to use social media or play games through their digital tools and are not focused on the lesson given by the teacher.[3] It is also difficult for teachers to see what is on students screens, making it difficult to monitor student activity and if everyone in the classroom is on task.[3]
Adaption to use of technology
An older generation of teachers may not be as open to switching to digital tools, with perspectives on how there is nothing wrong with printing.[5] Teachers may also lack experience in use of technology in educating students.[5] These challenges can lead to miscommunication with work not being assigned by teachers and completed by students.[5]
References
- ↑ Chorley, Craig; Melhuish, Chris; Pipe, Tony; Rossiter, Jonathan (2010). "Tactile edge detection". 2010 IEEE Sensors. IEEE: 2593–2598. doi:10.1109/icsens.2010.5690181. ISBN 9781424481705.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 STAFF, Steven A. Rosenberg GLOBE; June 4; 2016; Comments, 3:55 p m Email to a Friend Share on Facebook Share on TwitterPrint this Article View. "In more classrooms, books and lectures are being ditched - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "A Paperless Classroom: Benefits and Challenges". THINK.IAFOR.ORG. 2017-08-07. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 "Going Paperless Benefits Teachers, Students—and the Bottom Line - EdSurge News". EdSurge. 2018-10-30. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 GoodNotes (2018-03-07). "How a Paperless Classroom Will Revolutionize Your Teaching". GoodNotes Blog. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Anderson, R. S., Mitchell, J. S., Thompson, R. F., & Trefz, K. D. (2014). “Supporting young writers through the writing process in a paperless classroom.” In R. Anderson and C. Mims (eds.), Handbook of research on digital tools for writing instruction in K-12 settings, pp. 337-362. Hershey, PA: IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-5982-7.ch017
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Hamdan, Sara (2012-10-28). "U.A.E. Moves Toward Paperless Classrooms". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Writer, Raveena Chaudhari | Staff. "OPINION: Going paperless is smart and sustainable". The Red and Black. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "Beginner's Guide to Paperless Classroom | AWW Blog". AWW. 2017-03-02. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
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