Will Paperless Classrooms Be the Future of Education
Paper and books have long played an essential role in education. Now, an increasing number of digital possibilities could reduce paper usage in schools and universities. Nonetheless, going paperless is a process that requires careful planning and the consideration of the costs and potential risks that come with it. To use less paper is increasingly becoming a key aim in schools and universities.
The introduction of new technology into the educational context is more relevant than ever. Many classrooms have already tested or adopted the use of mobile devices such as tablets. Going paperless is a challenge, but it can have great rewards. While the replacement of worksheets and textbooks through digital media sounds promising, various factors have to be considered. Reducing paper usage can come with numerous benefits, including for our planet. Despite this, print and paper still play an important role, meaning not all paper will have to be banished immediately.
Technology on the riseMore than ever we can observe the rise of innovations and developments in technology, with various solutions being offered for the educational sector as well. Most schools have, to some extent, integrated technology into their classrooms. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), at least seven out of ten students use computers at school. However, the breadth of technological solutions is growing constantly, meaning computers are already commonplace, while tablets, smartboards and mobile applications are gaining popularity. Even cloud computing is finding its way into the classroom. The biggest advantage here is the easy access to data, both for the teachers and their students. Homework and assignments can be shared or edited collaboratively.
Also, course material can be uploaded and thereby become accessible even to students that could not attend a class. How paperless can improve performanceThe transition from paper to digital can significantly reduce the amount of work for teachers. There is no more need for photocopying worksheets and printing assignments once they can be shared digitally. This leads to another advantage, which is the reduction of costs.
According to School Stream, schools spend up to 30,000 euros on paper per year. Furthermore, there are several functions of technology that can lead to higher productivity and better organisation in the classroom. Working with digital media will remove the risk of losing a document or book, always enabling access to the course content and other relevant data. This makes it easier for students to stay organised and find what they need. Another point to consider is that the students of today are Digital Natives, expected to arrive in a workplace mastering the latest technology. Integrating digital solutions into the teaching routine can therefore be seen as valuable for the students’ digital literacy as well. Also, adding variety to the way in which information is presented, for example by involving interactive applications, can be more engaging than traditional teaching.
The risks of waving paper goodbye
Although reducing paper usage will save costs in the long run, it also demands investment. Technological devices, software and maintenance all cost money. It is therefore crucial to plan a digital transformation journey and the necessary budget carefully. Furthermore, some teachers don’t feel comfortable using technology in their routines.
Established habits will have to change: An issue that needs to be solved through proper communication and training. A study by the Pew Research Center found that 45% of teachers with several years of experience feel that the internet has had a major impact on their workload and such change can face resistance. How far digitisation should go in order to improve and not complicate processes needs to be considered.
Finally, using technological devices can be distracting. It is difficult for teachers to constantly monitor what the students are doing with the devices in class. What’s more, the findings of a study conducted by the Information Science Institute suggest that some teachers are concerned that the transition to a paperless classroom might have negative effects on the reading and writing skills developed by young students. The classroom of the futureIn conclusion, although going paperless can bring numerous benefits to a classroom, the risks and costs of this process need to be considered, with careful planning and communication being key.
With a strong digital transformation plan tailored for the respective institution, productivity can be boosted by taking the classroom to the digital space. Teachers should have less cumbersome paperwork, leaving more time for their students. The classroom of the future might not be entirely paperless, but the latest technology allows a significant reduction of paper usage. Including digital tools into teaching routines can benefit the working environment, save costs and time, and promote digital literacy. With the benefits far outweighing the risks, the paperless classroom will be an increasingly common practice in the near future.
