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Paperless classroom saves money, resources

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Photo by Dan Lassiter

Delavan-Darien animal science teacher Marty Speth helps Jaun Valzdez grade his online test. Speth has practically eliminated paper from his classroom, using an on-line system for assignments, tests and grades.

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

A recyle bin for paper is nearly empty in Marty Speth's Animal Science classroom at Delavan-Darien High

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

Keri Doering grades a test online in the paperless classroom of Marty Speth at Delavan-Darien High.

DELAVAN — Marty Speth’s classroom at Delavan-Darien High School doesn’t operate like most.

Tables specially designed to accommodate two dozen computers replace the traditional desks and chairs.

Whiteboards replace chalkboards.

Three large recycling bins—two for aluminum, glass and plastic and one for paper—trump a small garbage can.

Speth’s classroom is almost entirely paperless: no textbooks, no hardcopy lecture outlines, no written tests.

“At the end of last school year … when I took stuff down (to the main office) to be duplicated, I was astounded at the amount of paper that came back,” said Speth, an agriculture education teacher.

He estimates that since he implemented his largely paperless approach, he’s reduced paper consumption by at least 50 percent in his five classes.

Speth uses MyCaert.com, an online system designed exclusively for agriculture education that organizes readings, homework, quizzes and tests. Students access their lessons—called “e-units”—and related assignments and assessments through the Web portal.

Speth also manages his students’ grades at MyGradebook.com, an online grade book.

“I’ve always tried to stay on the outer edge of technology,” he said.

Speth’s plans for a paperless classroom were set into motion at the end of last school year, when the district cut its second high school ag teacher, leaving the curriculum in need of an update.

The Delavan-Darien FFA Alumni paid for the MyCaert.com subscription—a one-time cost of $1,200, which covers the curriculum for all but one of the high school ag classes. The Delavan-Darien School District spent money to add a half dozen computers and upgrade the classroom.

District officials have responded well to the paperless approach, saying it saves money and resources.

Delavan-Darien High School Principal Mike Cipriano said it also “ties right in” with Speth’s teachings about the environment.

“He not only teaches about it, but he puts it into practical use,” he said.

Students are responding well, too, saying they’re more organized.

“Usually when he gave us our packets, I could hardly even find them in my binder,” sophomore Lukas Roth said. “But with the computer, I’m more organized.

“I just need a notebook and a folder.”

Students are able to access their lessons and related assignments from home, allowing them to keep up with the class if they’re absent. A few students don’t have access to a computer at home, and Speth said he tries to give them enough time to finish the work in class. Students also are able to stay after school to complete their work, he said.

During a recent visit to Speth’s animal science class, a Janesville Gazette reporter observed the students correct a number of assignments that had piled up from the previous week.

For most assignments, they had typed answers into the computer document. But for a couple of assignments, they had to handwrite their answers in their notebooks—something Speth had to remind them to do.

“This one should be in your notebook,” he bellowed above the fidgety afternoon class.

The students groaned as they dug into their backpacks to retrieve paper and pen.

Speth said the goal isn’t to be completely paperless but rather to conserve resources by taking advantage of technology.

So which approach is better?

Speth said neither his largely paperless method nor the traditional pen-and-paper method is better than the other.

“It’s probably different—I’m not sure if it’s better or worse—from another way,” he said of his approach.

Cipriano agreed.

“They’re not doing anything much different than they would have,” he said. “They’re just doing more on the computer. They’re using a keyboard instead of writing it out longhand.”

Roth said some classes would likely never be paperless. Math, for example, wouldn’t be the same if students couldn’t write out equations with paper and pencil, he said.

But Speth said the computer-based approach prepares students for an increasingly paperless society.

“If students are moving on to post-secondary education at any level, they are going to work in a paperless, sometimes virtual classroom,” he said. “This will help to give them some experience.”

Ron Warrenburg, a sophomore who calls himself “adaptable” when it comes to teaching styles, said he appreciates the ability to read, take notes and do assignments on the computer.

“This is cool,” he said. “I wish all teachers would go to online.”