How to Have a Paperless Classroom

SOME

PRACTICAL IDEAS

from

Allison Smith, English

Use E-mail (with Attachments):

For class distribution lists To deal with absent students For reminders (what’s due, what to read,

…) For students to contact each other (for

revision, editing, group work)

Use MS Power Point:

For lecture material in class To post lectures on web sites or WebCT To email missed materials to absent

students To highlight important information To provide handouts (have students print

out before coming to class)

Use WebCT:

Announcements Syllabus and other Course Documents Handouts Video Clips Assignments Discussion Board

Use the Discussion Board:

For student discussion with each other For answers to posted questions (and

subsequent discussion) For shared journals, informal writing, and

other class assignments

Use Scanning:

For handouts from supplemental texts For samples of assignments from

previous classes To send back a graded paper (when the

student gives you one in non-digital form)

Use Web Sites:

Create your own (http://www2.latech.edu/~asmith/Engl575/575atoc.html)

Link to others

Have students create their own for assignments

Be digitally based:

State clearly on syllabus Use computer classrooms when available Have students use university labs Have students turn in assignments

digitally (on disk, through email attachments, as web sites, through Blackboard attachments, …)

A Special Mention about Digitally-Based Classes:

Less to carry around! Can utilize plagiarism programs (like

http://www.turnitin.com) Can use over-write software programs

(like Word, Word Perfect, …) Saves paper Saves time (spent making copies) Saves money

Use Over-Write Software:

For digital office hour comments For revision workshops For editing workshops For digital tests and assignments For grading papers

MS Word Over-Writing:

View, Toolbars, Reviewing (for over-write menu)

Insert comments (use New Comment button) Write comments (choose font, color, size in

Show, Options) Delete (by using Backspace, Delete, or

Control X on keyboard) and leave comment Highlight (use Highlight on formatting menu)

Use Sample Student Paper:

Try inserting a comment in a comment box

Try just typing in a comment Try deleting something and then adding a

comment Try highlighting

Contact me:

Allison Smith, English Department adsmith@mtsu.edu Phone: 904-8266 Office: PH 328B