Is A Paperless School Possible?

While many schools are already moving towards having students use iPads and laptops in lessons, achieving a paperless classroom seems easier than ever. But a paper-free administrative function has significant benefits too, and Boardingware's software solution can play a large part in making it a reality.The possibility of achieving a paperless school across every department lies in understanding what information needs to be available and finding technology that can support those requirements. How can schools become paperless across the board?

Going Digital In The Classroom

Twenty years ago, a classroom without paper or textbooks would have been unthinkable. Advances in technology and digital workspaces means schools are now ditching whole-class handouts and exercise books in favour of digital devices.A real benefit of this approach is that classrooms are no longer only about learning subject-specific content. Students now need much more than subject knowledge if they are going to succeed in the wider world. They need research, communication and independent thinking skills as well, to name just a few.Online learning platforms provide opportunities for self-guided learning and put the onus on the student to find the documentation they need to complete class and homework, whether that be within a teacher-created environment or on the internet. It's not all down to the teacher to provide every resource anymore. Using virtual learning environments students can direct their own learning style, finding studies and explanations that work for them.Feedback can be completed in real time, with staff able to see assignments as they are submitted online, or see task progress across the class. Students can share their resources and start conversations outside of the classroom, continuing their learning well after the bell goes.

A Paperless Office

With the evolution of cloud-based technology, the paperless office is now a reality as well. With software such as Boardingware offering the ability to input data from anywhere via Internet-enabled devices, processes that used to require forms to be handed in and logged are now able to be completed paper free.Parents, pupils and faculty can all access and update information, with varying levels of approval granted to different user groups. High school pupils can request leave or sign in and out of buildings via their device without having to complete a form. Parents and staff can approve such requests, or immediately update emergency contact details without having to return paper forms. Not only does this mean that schools get responses and updates from parents much more quickly than in the days of pigeon post, it also significantly reduces printing and postage costs.With many schools now providing staff with handheld devices, a range of internal activities such as attendance registers and pastoral notes can be recorded directly into the system and accessed in real time by other staff.Real-time updates assist in providing the best level of pastoral care as soon as an update or issue comes to light. With a member of staff being able to flag a pupil as on the watchlist with a click of a button, the next teacher can be aware of the concern before the pupil has entered their classroom, and make adjustments to the lesson if necessary.A big problem with paper methods is that important documents can only be accessed from one location, which means teachers have to locate information before they can act upon it. Some schools combat this issue by photocopying notes for staff pigeon holes, but this increases the chances of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands.Boardingware makes the administrative side of school life easy to manage paper free. To learn more about how Boardingware can support your school in advancing the way in which it collects and processes pupil data, watch a demo video of the software or book a time to talk with a member of the team.