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Going Paperless: Advantages & Challenges of The Paperless Classroom

This document discusses the advantages and challenges of moving to a paperless classroom. Some of the key advantages include reducing paper waste, seamlessly integrating technology that students already use, improved organization of course materials, and increased opportunities for student engagement and interaction. However, there are also challenges such as ensuring students have the necessary computer skills, providing accessible alternatives for students with disabilities, and ensuring all students have reliable access to computers and the internet. While a paperless classroom has great potential to enhance learning, instructors must consider both the advantages and challenges to ensure all students can fully participate.

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Alma Jean Subong
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79 views18 pages

Going Paperless: Advantages & Challenges of The Paperless Classroom

This document discusses the advantages and challenges of moving to a paperless classroom. Some of the key advantages include reducing paper waste, seamlessly integrating technology that students already use, improved organization of course materials, and increased opportunities for student engagement and interaction. However, there are also challenges such as ensuring students have the necessary computer skills, providing accessible alternatives for students with disabilities, and ensuring all students have reliable access to computers and the internet. While a paperless classroom has great potential to enhance learning, instructors must consider both the advantages and challenges to ensure all students can fully participate.

Uploaded by

Alma Jean Subong
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 18

Going Paperless:

Advantages & Challenges of the


Paperless Classroom

Derek Snyder
English Department, University  of  Hawai’i  Maui  College
KEY POINTS TO BEGIN

Technology does not replace best


practices for teachers.

Technology allows us to enhance


our  students’  learning  experiences  
and to facilitate greater learning.
Advantage #1 = Less Paper
Creates a more efficient
and greener approach to
the classroom

• Better for the


environment

• Eliminates battles with


the copy machine
Advantage #2 = Seamless
Students already
operating in this realm

• Personal / Daily Lives


(i.e. Facebook)

• Easier transition than


you might think
Advantage #3 = Organization
Potential for greater
classroom management
and course organization
• Syllabus
• Schedule
• Announcements
• Absences
• Late Work
• Student Questions
Advantage #4 = Follow-Up
Easier follow-up on
missed classes / work

• Information is always
available

• Clearly shows what


students are missing
(and correlation to
grade)
Advantage #5 = Record Keeping
Promotes a better record
keeping environment
• Greater student
involvement with
assignments / grades
• Grades are more
accessible and
transparent for
students
Advantage #6 = Time Stamping
Student submissions are
time stamped

• Greater adherence to
class policies = greater
equality in classroom

• More student
accountability to
deadlines
Advantage #7 = Interaction
Increased student
engagement, collaboration,
and interaction

• Online discussion forums


can foster more dynamic,
less intimidating arenas
for discussion

• Textbook reading
accountability
Advantage #8 = Dynamic
Provides dynamic
opportunities for content
delivery, feedback, and
submissions

• Videos, Pictures, Audio


• Hyperlinks, Embedded
Comments
• Can address multiple
modes of learning
Advantage #9 = Borderless
Allows for class to
function outside of class
time and classroom walls

• Classroom is always
available

• Greater accessibility to
instructor for concerns,
questions, etc.
Advantage #10 = Reusability
Greater reusability and
opportunity for curriculum
improvement

• Easier carryover from


semester to semester -
after initial construction

• Easier transferability to
other classes (when
applicable)
Challenge #1 = Student Skills
Students may not have the
computer skills or may not
be comfortable with
computers and technology

• Part of our shared role in


higher education is to
help students in this area

• Build an orientation
component into course
(Be flexible and patient)
Challenge #2 = eTextbooks
Students may be
challenged learning from
electronic texts

• Have a hard copy of the


textbook as an option

• Create class material


that can be printed out
as hard copies
Challenge #3 = Accessibility
Paperless classrooms may
not be full accessible to
students with disabilities
• Check with your
Disabilities Counselor or
Technology Accessibility
Committee to ensure
best practices

• Seek information and


training opportunities
Challenge #4 = Technology Issues
Computers sometimes
malfunction and
technology can fail

• Encourage students to
work ahead of class
deadlines

• Provide students with


ITS help contact info
Challenge #5 = Student Computers
Classrooms may not have
computers or students
may not have computer
access at home
• Advocate for more
computers on campus
and for innovative
programs or grants for
personal student
computers
Final Thoughts
The paperless classroom has the potential to
far exceed the possibilities of the traditional
face-to-face classroom.

Careful consideration of the advantages and


challenges of the paperless classroom must be
taken into consideration.

Contact: dsnyder@hawaii.edu

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