What's Happening at Episcopal Collegiate?

Going Paperless?  

The idea of a completely paperless classroom is still foreign to many educators and students, but with the emergence of various digital resources creating a paperless classroom is easier than one might think.  Jo Stoltz and her senior level Statistics class is leading the way into the paperless world here at Episcopal.  When students entered class the first day and were pulling out notebooks and binders, Ms. Stoltz was able to say, "Your laptop is your notebook!"   

How is Ms. Stoltz creating a paperless classroom?  After careful planning and consideration of the most effective tools she chose Evernote and Edmodo, both of which have been written about on this blog by myself and colleague Christian Rogers.  

Evernote has become Ms. Stoltz and the students digital notebook. Via Evernote, Ms. Stoltz creates unit notebooks that she shares with her students.  By sharing these notebooks students have access to their course schedule, notes, and other materials within their Evernote account that will supplement their learning.  How will students take notes and turn in homework ?  In the same way that Ms. Stoltz can share a notebook with her students they can also share notebooks with her.  Each student has created a "homework" and "notes" notebook that they have shared with Ms. Stoltz.  When they take notes or complete an assignment she can immediately access their notebook to grade and make comments.  

Edmodo is being used as the class LMS (Learning Management System).  By creating a digital classroom via Edmodo, students can take quizzes, complete assignments and activities, and participate in class discussion. Via Edmodo they can create a true classroom community by sharing not only their thoughts and ideas, but resources they find helpful in their studies as well as having instant access to their teacher and fellow students when questions arise. 

Gone are the days in which a student has to have their notebook and textbook to complete work outside of the class period.  Both of these resources are accessible on all mobile devices and feature apps that can be downloaded for free. Allowing the student the freedom to complete course work anywhere at anytime.  

I am excited to talk with Ms. Stoltz and the students at the end of the semester.  I feel certain they will have loved their journey into the paperless classroom.  


Katie Robinson