Monday, July 20, 2009
University teachers and the Center for Sustainability are working with computer technology to produce as little waste as possible. “Paperless Classrooms” are becoming more possible on campus thanks to a computer network system, which saves paper, printing fees and students the hassle of having to be physically present to submit assignments.
“Paperless Classrooms” is a trend where teachers use Blackboard to administer assignments, quizzes and syllabuses to students to reduce the amount of paper printed for the class.
For the past three semesters, Stacey Swearingen White, director of academic program for the Center for Sustainability and associate professor of Architecture and Urban Planning, posted readings online and had students submit papers through Blackboard.
“I think students care about efforts to save resources,” White said. “Going paperless is, I think, ultimately easier and cheaper for them as well.”
In the past, White said, she was unsure if students even read comments on their hardcopy papers. Now, through her use of Blackboard, and the “track changes” and “insert note” functions in Word, it’s easier for them to read the comments online, she said.
“I have actually received notes from students thanking me for my comments,” White said. “I think it takes more time for me to grade digitally, but its important to show students that I am committed to finding ways to have a lesser impact on our environment.”
Dan Bernstein, director of the Center for Teaching Excellence and professor of psychology, minimizes paper use by having most assignments done online and returned electronically, including the term paper.
“I encourage students to read course materials online rather than printing them onto paper,” Bernstein said. “In the end, the only required work on paper are sit down exams.”
White said students seemed to appreciate her efforts in conserving paper, and of course, appreciate not having to pay to print something out.
In efforts to conserve paper through printing, Joshua L. Foster, Lincoln, Neb. graduate student and research assistant for the Center for Sustainibility, is working with the Student Environmental Advisory Board on a Student Senate bill.
The bill will encourage a reduction in paper use through the purchase of duplex printers, or printers that print on both sides of the paper, Foster said.
“Only specific departments across campus, like the Student Success Technology Services office have implemented such policies so far,” Foster said. “The adoption of a University-wide policy would be ideal but is only in the research stage.”
In addition to the use of duplex printing, the printer settings would reduce default margins on Word documents from 1.25” to .5”.
The Center for Sustainability is using an example from the University of Iowa, where a significant reduction in paper use was the result of duplex printing, to develop its own program. According to its Web site, the duplex printing at the University of Iowa saved about 1.75 million sheets of paper per semester.
— — Edited by Hannah DeClerk
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