1- Have a Classroom Blog /Websites/Wiki/Portal
We can not talk about going paperless without first setting up a virtual space for our class. Creating a blog or website where students get to interact with each other and with the course content is highly warranted. Web 2.0 technologies provide several free tools to help you get your classroom blog up and running in a few minutes and without the need for any advanced technology. Check out These blogging platforms to start with. The good thing about these platforms is that they also have mobile apps, meaning you and your students will connect anywhere, anytime.
2-Document sharing and storing
Another thing to consider when going paperless is where to save and share documents. There are now several cloud based tools that are free and will enable you to save your documents and share them with students. Google Docs and Dropbox are our favorites .
3- Use web tools to increase productivity
Here are some examples :
- Use and encourage your students to use presentations using these tools such as : Google Presentations, Prezi, or this collection of other presentation making tools
- Use and get students to use visualizations and infographics to represent key concepts and demonstrate their learning. Here are some great tools to start with
- Create digital portfolios so that students (and their parents) can track their learning
- Use these web tools to collaborate, hold discussions, and backchannel with your students
- Use these web tools to take notes on a laptop or these apps on iPad.
- For all other tasks, use this guide to help you out.
4- Grading online
Gone are the days when teachers would rely only on traditional gradebooks to record both their teaching progress and their students achievements. Now, technology has made it easier for teachers to create and access their gradebooks online and from anywhere with internet connection. Here are some tools that you can use for grading, managing your courses and student information, taking attendance, and even sharing with parents their kids grades.
