Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Paperless Classroom

The higher ed classroom is based on paper. Students use notebooks to jot down class notes; instructors distribute syllabi and supplemental content throughout the term; mid-term and final exams are taken using paper and pencil; and students fill out the (usually) dreaded end-of-term course evaluations.

But let’s face it: paper is for the most part a real pain to deal with. Paper is always getting lost, and the more important the document the more easily it’s misplaced. Paper is bulky to carry, causing backaches and loss of height if carried in sufficient quantities and over long enough periods of time (I know this is true because I read this on the Internet). And what about paper cuts? OUCH!

So is a paperless classroom possible? Sure it is, and it’s easier to implement than you may think.
Let’s take a look at what is needed to get started.

First, you need a place to house your documents that is accessible by your students. The easiest place is on the course management system. Have RHCHP Learning Technologies (rhadmin@regis.edu) create a course shell and make that your repository for your paper-based documents such as syllabi, assignments, readings, and supplemental materials.

Next, you’ll need to convert any documents currently used in your course to an electronic format.

  • Word docs should be saved to a unversally acceptable format such as .pdf, .rtf, or .html. This avoids compatibility issues with students not using Microsoft Word.
  • Handwritten notes should be scanned and saved as .pdfs. Don’t have a scanner? Then walk across campus to the CAT Lab in the basement of Carroll Hall. CAT Lab associates can get you started in this very easy process.
  • All other paper-based documents such as pictures and graphs can be scanned as well. Just be sure to save these in a universally acceptable format such as .jpg, .gif, .pdf, and so forth.

The final step is getting all your documents uploaded into your online course shell. In the current ANGEL system this a very simple task involving a few mouse clicks. Tutorials on this process are available at the Regis Faculty ANGEL Tutorials page located at rhchp.regis.edu/DE/tutorials/faculty/index.html

And while you're at it, convert your other paper-based materials to an electronic format such as gradebooks (use your course LMS) and course schedules (print to .pdf and upload with your other materials).

Need a place for collaborating with colleagues on a research project? Then throw away your paper files and log in to Google Docs. Google Docs is a collaborative, cloud-based, application, with all files safely stored online in your personal Google account. You create your document using Google Docs or upload an existing document. Then invite your research group to share in the editing process. Edits are visible immediately to other group members. Look for a later post on this useful and free app.

So get started de-papering your classes. Your students will appreciate the convenience of 24/7 access to classroom materials and you’ll be well on your way to a paperless (and papercutless) life.

Image by Tom Ventura from Denver, CO, USA (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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