How to Create a Paperless Classroom: Tips for a Digital Learning Environment

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, March/April 2013 issue

By Antonina Kumka

The question of technology in the classroom has been looked at for many years from various perspectives. It seems that everyone agrees that the use of technology becomes inevitable. In fact, the use of technology is becoming more and more necessary.

I have always embraced technology using digital projectors, Smart Boards, and course websites as part of my instructional tools. And like many of my students, I too use digital devices in my daily personal life, but the enormous piles of notes and paper combined with the constant fighting with the students to put their gadgets away drove me to reevaluate how I could use those very gadgets to my advantage. How could I also reduce the amount of notes I am printing on a day-to-day basis? How could I encourage my students to be more interested, independent, and responsible?

I currently teach a large Grade 12 Advanced Functions class—33 students, a full house. Every student has some type of electronic device that connects to the Internet. On the first of classes, beginning this past September, I informed my students that we were going to work towards “Paperless Classroom” and they were encouraged to use their own technology. The students were excited, but very apprehensive at first. They had never been told, “Use your smartphone to take a picture of the solution you wrote on the whiteboard and then save it in your files.” They all looked at me like I was an alien from another planet. All they had ever heard up until then was the complete opposite, to put their phones away in class.

We do no use any paper in my class. Students complete equations, homework, or tests on their individual whiteboards with erasable markers. They also love solving TIPS questions on whiteboards because they can think, write and erase, and write again. And if they want to save their solutions, they simply take a picture with their devices. At the same time, lessons, questions, and solutions are written on the SmartBoard and later posted on the course website for students to download and study. To improve communication skills, I often provide students with some terminology and instruct them to explain the terms in a text message so concisely that the recipient—another student in the class—is able to identify the term.

For me, the challenge was to make Grade 12 Math more student-oriented, more fun, not so traditional, and to engage students in independent learning. Technology has certainly helped me achieve that. The students do not rely on my explanation as much for they have a handout in front of them. They can also work in groups (not having to stare at the teacher the whole time). My students can work independently and I am there to meet their individual needs, observing and communicating, and being part of the class, not just someone with an ultimate knowledge of everything. Our class also has a Facebook group that students use regularly for discussions and questions, as well as a D2L (Desire2Learn) page for online practice questions. Technology, Internet, and social media have become a greater part of education, not just entertainment. The process of assessment and evaluation has changed too. The students write on their individual whiteboards to complete quizzes, snap pictures of their responses, and e-mail them to me. Again, no paper is handed out and I can enter any feedback on my computer and e-mail them back to students, which also minimizes the chances of students loosing their marked work.

Working with the students who are university bound, I did not face issues with implementation nor abuse of the technology. I would however, be not as bold to introduce technology-based learning so widely for other subjects, unless there was abundant teacher supervision. On the other hand, this would also be a great opportunity to teach students how to not abuse the use of technology, but rather use it positively to improve their learning skills.

“What if some students do not have Internet access at home?” I am often asked. In that case, I would speak to the students privately, as to not single them out amongst their iPad and tablet-owning peers, and simply print out handouts specifically for those students who would pick them up outside of class to keep their special circumstances anonymous. During class time however, all of the notes were still posted on the SmartBoard.

There are many varied ways to use technology in the classroom, and there are also inevitable challenges that come with it. However, it is worth a try. Students today cannot imagine their lives without technology and will be looking for ways to use it, so why not guide them in the direction, where technology can be used pragmatically, in ways that will help them succeed now and in the future.

Antonina Kumka teaches Grade 9-12 Math at White Oaks High School in Oakville, Ontario. She regularly and eagerly attends PD activities and conferences, as well as works collaboratively with colleagues towards teaching innovations.

Avatar photo

TEACH is the largest national education publication in Canada. We support good teachers and teaching and believe in innovation in education.

Education News

Nominations Open for Heroes of the Classroom Teacher Recognition Program

Nominations are accepted through August 3. Ten finalists will advance to a public vote for the chance to win the Grand Prize—valued at approximately $16,000 in cash and prizes.

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Girls Experienced Disproportionate Setbacks in STEM Skills Post-COVID

COVID-19 has been an unequal crisis, disrupting learning more deeply for some student groups than others.

For 8th Straight Year, 100% of Success Academy Grads Accepted to 4-Year Colleges

66% of students were accepted to selective institutions. Graduates were awarded more than $20 million in financial aid.

Join Our Newsletter

Get 10% off a subscription, monthly giveaways, and the latest updates—straight to your inbox!

TEACH Magazine
TEACH Magazine
TEACH is the largest national education publication in Canada. We support good teachers and teaching and believe in innovation in education.

Advertisement

Read More

The Power of Music and Melody: Using Songs to Engage Young Learners

By harnessing the power of music, teachers can create a lively and dynamic atmosphere that also improves concentration, focus, and retention.

Nominations Open for Heroes of the Classroom Teacher Recognition Program

Nominations are accepted through August 3. Ten finalists will advance to a public vote for the chance to win the Grand Prize—valued at approximately $16,000 in cash and prizes.

Real (and Really Funny) Math

I'm an author of math books, which may sound like a dry job, but that’s exactly why I do it. It’s my goal to show kids that math can be fun (and funny!)

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Exploring Indigenous Culture Through the Senses: A Transformative Learning Experience

At McKenzie Towne School in Alberta, students are learning through touch, scent, and sound with the Indigenous Sensory Box Project.

The Positive Impacts of Computer Science: What Every Teacher and Administrator Should Know

After working as both a teacher and an administrator, I know how much of a difference it can make when school leaders truly appreciate the power of computer science.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

chơi cờ othello online | custom casino chip | casino and hotel | slotted angle furniture | lich thi dau u23 chau a 2024 | casino ho chi minh | thevang tv | peggle slots | ongame 222 | stt chất | wild shark slot | j88 | flux slot | fbu edu vn đăng nhập | tải teaching feeling | đề về 59 hôm sau đánh con gì | dự đoán xsmb xo so me | sodo casino 68 | super casino slots | indian casinos in oklahoma | đề về 82 hôm sau đánh con gì | 3cang | play online slot machines for real money | wyandotte nation casino | slot casino gratuit | fbu edu vn đăng nhập | soi cầu rong bạch kim | bongda tv truc tiep | soi cau rong bach kim 88 | best slot machines in las vegas | sparks slot review | nguyên nhân dẫn đến chiến tranh thế giới thứ 2 | thống kê hai số giải đặc biệt | runescape casino | xsmn binh luan | marina bay casino singapore | bảng đặc biệt 500 ngày | cổphieu68 | fargo casino | vegas casino | top casino | sòng bài casino campuchia | casino sài gòn | casino trực tuyến tặng tiền | casino hồ tràm | kqbdwap | linh kiện 789 com | 52choigame | matrix 8 casino | câu hỏi rung chuông vàng | sgd777 casino | game slot mới nhất | forest slot | aco slot drain | evowar io | sieu nhan cuong phong tap 49 | dolphins pearl deluxe slot | slot fish | diễn đàn sex | hotel and casino | free online slots wheel of fortune |