We need this change. Our school spends too much money on paper and toner. Teachers spend too much time making copies. Plus students are motivated to learn when they are on a laptop or computer. I say we change education to a new generation appoach -technology, and spend the money on PD and educational software that will make the second-order change.
In reply to Michelle Pompa
Re: It's time to stop cutting down so many trees!
by Dedee Lyngstad Brown -
I completely agree! I recently visited Homer Davis Elementary in Flowing Wells. They have a computer lab with 32 new(er) computers. They use the lab as one of their "specials," in which students learn keyboarding, word processing, PowerPoint, and another tech program that the district has purchased. They also use the lab for all their benchmark testing, which totally cuts all the costs of printing the tests and the hundreds of bubble sheets needed each quarter. They have figured out a way to save printing, trees, and human time in preparing it all.
Hopefully, our 5th graders will start taking the benchmarks online...at least we will save the money and paper for one grade level!
I understand what you mean but letting students use the computer to take assessments-especially our benchmarks because of the numerous copies being made for just this one type of assessment, and when I think of the time spent making copies just for my classroom...wow think of the money saved. Right now the 4th and 5th graders are taking their SRI's online so I think that it is just a matter of time before they will be doing their quarterly benchmarks online.
It was interesting to read that reduced paperwork leads to more time spent on educationally tasks. But do you really think the reduction of paper will mean the reduction of "reports"? It just means that reports will be done on the computer and then emailed to your administrator- I don't believe that it will reduce time spent making those reports or really reduce time spent making copies.
In reply to Dedee Lyngstad Brown
Re: It's time to stop cutting down so many trees!
by Tammy Christopherson -
I have family in Oregon who are all educators. Their students take not only their benchmark tests on line but it is designed so the student can take the test up to 3 times if they are not satisfied with the score they get! One of my nieces didn't like the 87% she got so she was getting ready to take it again. What a great way to get students to be internally motivbated! Great use of computers and no more paper or copying to worry about.
In reply to Tammy Christopherson
Re: It's time to stop cutting down so many trees!
by Deleted user -
Wow! This would be great. Reduce the paper being used and allowing the students to use the computers to access the assessments. What a great idea/option to be able to retake the assessment if one isnt satisfied with the result.
In reply to Tammy Christopherson
Re: It's time to stop cutting down so many trees!
by Stephanie Ponce -
I think that this idea is a feature that the district can house. I know that ATI Galileo has many of the benchmark test available online and it decreases not only paper, but man power with the copy time and scanning and produces immediate results for teachers and students. I think that as educators we find fault in this idea when dealing with the younger age groups (elementary). We prepare our students for AIMS by using the benchmark test, however until the State provides AIMS online for all grade levels, I think that the paper benchmark test are a must. This allows teachers to teach the needed test taking skills that can assist in a students success, as well as allow students to have the test in a familiar format.
In reply to Dedee Lyngstad Brown
Re: It's time to stop cutting down so many trees!
by Margaret Vandervort -
My girls have grown up in the Flowing Wells district and have been taking thier benchmarks online for several years. Online tests were given in elementary and junior high. It is important to train the students how to take online tests because of the different test taking strategies. Students can't highlight their information to justify thier answers. It is also important to note that Flowing Wells has fewer questions on the assessments as opposed to paper-pencil copies. However, when students get to HS, paper-pencil assessments return because the lack of computers. Speaking from personal experiemce both girls prefer taking online reading assessments, but would rather have paper-pencil for math.
I believe that as long as we keep making the push to further away a needed dependence on paper, then the push will succeed.
Most recently, our 5th graders have started taking weekly math assessments on the computer, and it helps drastically with saving paper, but, and this is something I've found to be quite helpful, is the instantaneous grading. Letting us know instantly what the students are doing and how they are doing it is great in giving immediate feedback. Especially in times of Benchmarks and, as stated earlier, the weekly assessments of any kind.
I agree with what has been stated about reducing the amount of paper in our school. However, as long as students take the AIMS on paper, it is a bit more challenging doing the preparatory Benchmarks online.
In reply to Michelle Pompa
Re: It's time to stop cutting down so many trees!
I agree with the notion of being cost effective, however, we need to also be sensitive to the grade levels who do not have lap tops for their students. Unfortunatley, they still need to rely on the "copy machine'!
I agree with the ideas shared in this forum. We do need to be aware of the money being spent on copying materials. As with anything, we need to see the laptops as a tool for instruction with some combination of paper and pencil activities. We also need to make sure teachers are supported through professional development in receiving training on reducing the amount of paper/pencil activities and how to use the laptop for students in writing, assessment and producing learning projects that demonstrate achievement and understanding. The possibilities are endless and will more than likely look so different in another 10 years!
In reply to Michelle Pompa
Re: It's time to stop cutting down so many trees!
by Angelica Duddleston -
Paper and copying expenses hit our schools M&O budget hard every year. A lot of schools are dependent on paper for their day to day activities. I would love to see our students keep daily journals on their laptops, DOLS, DMS, etc. The challenge will be learning how to use the laptop other than just an expensive "paper/pencil." I'm excited to see what the teachers at the Middle School levels will be able to do.
In reply to Angelica Duddleston
Re: It's time to stop cutting down so many trees!
by Adele Requadt -
I think laptops are a great paper saver. However, teachers need to be trained on how to use the laptop as more than just an electronic textbook. The more we use the laptops the less we will use paper/pencil. However I don't think we should go away from paper/pencil 100%. I think laptops are a step in the right direction. The students also get very motivated to use the laptops.
Again, if we are planning to stay technology savvy, it is time to have the State of Arizona catch up and have high stakes tests such as AIMS and AEPA tests go paperless. We could do Benchmarks and all assessments utilizing our computer technology and become more environmentally friendly. In the real world, assessments such as driver's license tests court documents, income taxes forms and official documents are mainly performed without using paper.
As the one2one teachers blaze the trail with students researching, writing and taking some assessmentes online, I agree with Adele that we will not leave paper and pencil tasks 100%. Also finding ways to share what is being done should be improved upon.