Your comment about stores with air conditioners going and doors open... I get this type of feeling at work when other teachers are busy photocopying class sets of handouts, handouts that will be used once, that could be shared, that are mainly blank, that are for 'fun', that are single-sided, or that will end up in recycling (hopefully) at the end of class. I feel like I'm telling someone they are a bad teacher if I question paper use.
About a decade ago, when I could find the photocopier counters without having access passwords, I got the number of copies made over the course of school year. Assuming every sheet was double sided, it worked out to over 1,200 bricks of paper. At 500 sheets a brick, that meant about 600,000 pages. My school has nearly 1,000 students. I think the cost was 14,000 dollars for the copiers and paper.
Things have improved since then, in part because the district now gives each teacher and student a set amount of printing. If teachers use it up, we can ask for more. Students have to pay for more - ten cents a sheet. I noticed a big change in student paper use in the library where prior to the limit, whole books were being printed. Technology like computer projectors, and online class sites also helped, but teacher photocopying still seems high considering its environmental costs.
I wondered if you have any prescriptions for me, Sarah.
(I should say that there are often good reasons for paper use and photocopying!)
I'm so happy about the set amount of printing. It's all about the default, and then you don't have to stress about telling otherwise great teachers to stop printing. Even little signs at point of printing could be helpful! Stop! do you really need to print this! People need just in time nudges (so I guess that's my prescription). Thank you for sharing!
Your comment about stores with air conditioners going and doors open... I get this type of feeling at work when other teachers are busy photocopying class sets of handouts, handouts that will be used once, that could be shared, that are mainly blank, that are for 'fun', that are single-sided, or that will end up in recycling (hopefully) at the end of class. I feel like I'm telling someone they are a bad teacher if I question paper use.
About a decade ago, when I could find the photocopier counters without having access passwords, I got the number of copies made over the course of school year. Assuming every sheet was double sided, it worked out to over 1,200 bricks of paper. At 500 sheets a brick, that meant about 600,000 pages. My school has nearly 1,000 students. I think the cost was 14,000 dollars for the copiers and paper.
Things have improved since then, in part because the district now gives each teacher and student a set amount of printing. If teachers use it up, we can ask for more. Students have to pay for more - ten cents a sheet. I noticed a big change in student paper use in the library where prior to the limit, whole books were being printed. Technology like computer projectors, and online class sites also helped, but teacher photocopying still seems high considering its environmental costs.
I wondered if you have any prescriptions for me, Sarah.
(I should say that there are often good reasons for paper use and photocopying!)
I'm so happy about the set amount of printing. It's all about the default, and then you don't have to stress about telling otherwise great teachers to stop printing. Even little signs at point of printing could be helpful! Stop! do you really need to print this! People need just in time nudges (so I guess that's my prescription). Thank you for sharing!