November 20, 2009
7-B-1 Paperless Class
Thinking along the lines of an art teacher, it would be impossible to have a paperless class. I do see how all the examples and project lists could be computerized though. I have been thinking of beginning to convert my class over to mostly online information anyway. One problem to completely converting would be access to computers for all students. I don’t know how any school that is not well funded would handle this problem.
Just in general, paperless classes would be places of great learning. I think the fusion of face to face and online learning would present unimaginable possibilities. Creating projects, instead of writing papers, would become much more poignant with podcasts, animation, links, etc… This would ensure a greater depth of learning. I mentioned this to my husband and his reaction wasn’t so positive. He was concerned about documenting their learning. I don’t really see a problem with documenting their learning. Students would have a file/portfolio of their work. The collaboration projects would illustrate and record the students knowledge base. For the parents sake, more actual work would be available for their viewing pleasure. We all know most of a high school students work ends up in the circular file.
I believe a paperless classroom would make it easier to build a learning network. Students recognize the ease in finding information on the internet. It is their first place to search. Students will refine their sorting skills and build their learning network. They won’t get bogged down as much by bad searches. As they become more proficient in the use of these new technologies and become more confident in their opinions, they will contact “experts” to ask their questions.
