Regulate or develop self-regulators?
Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 06:06AM We just released the first report of data we've gathered using PaperCut, a printer/copier usage tracking software. There were a surprisingly large number of concerns by staff when we installed the product earlier this year, with references to Big Brother being common.
The intent of using this software is to build awareness of all staff about how much printing they do, what it costs both financially and environmentally, and how costs for printing on different devices (laser printers, color printers, copiers, etc.) vary. (See Self-awareness or surveillance.)
The goal is to reduce the amount of printing we do in the district, of course. But rather than set quotas and regulate how much individuals can print, we hope to develop awareness that leads to self-regulation. (This is akin to giving a person a bathroom scale and mirror instead of limiting their caloric intake on a weight reduction program.)
I firmly believe most educators will respond to this - and perhaps think of the approach when working with kids, working to create self-regulators rather than simply imposing limits.
See also "Paper-free committee-ment" and 'Three-ring binders: a little rant"
Reader Comments (5)
With school finances and teacher rights (at least here in WI) in the dump this has the potential to be very negative. The optimist in me hopes it could be proactive and empowering. Your department doesn't have money for the new set of books you want? Show us how your department can save money by self regulating printing. I know a superintendent that has helped the district save money with energy consumption by comparing electric bills from one year to the next. Teachers thought it was a pain when he asked them to do little things like turning off the lights, shutting the doors, but it all adds up. Of course, teachers could also feel like this is death by 1,000 paper cuts...
I think the key idea is we have to do something. I'd rather see money go into the pocket of a hardworking teacher rather than to the company we buy toner and paper from. The good ole' days of doing whatever we want (in many facets of our life) are so over.
Hurray for self-regulation! It would be very interesting to me to see how the number of copies made by a teacher over the course of a school year relates to where that teacher falls on the "teacher as regulator/student self-regulation" continuum. One of the ways to enforce the teacher as regulator status quo is worksheets! Lots and lots of worksheets! I would bet that teachers who create an environment that cultivates students' abilities to self-regulate print out a lot less stuff
Maybe you should ask each teacher to either (1) carry all of their paper handouts, tests and other materials in their hands for a week or (2) a flash drive for a week.
OR
Develop a typical student backpack and have teachers lug that around for awhile
Doug,
Thanks for continuing to get me thinking!
Paul
Hi Nathan,
To me this just about developing thoughtfulness about all we do. Are we in the habit of printing 5 extra copies "just in case?" Is this something that kids can do on plain notebook paper or is the handout necessary? How much can be placed and shared online. We all do so much out of habity (me included) that a reminder to be mindful is not always bad. And yes, I always try to approach this by asking if money spent on printing couldn't be spend on other things.
Doug
Hi Mary,
The worksheet also reinforces the "one right answer" mentality that I think kills creative thought. It's all connected.
Doug
Hi Kenn,
That's a good idea. We won't move to a paperless environment until teachers become paperless themselves. This may be a strategy to move them in that direction. Although I see teachers hauling more paper than the kids do to home and back!
Doug
Hi Paul,
Good to see your name! Hope you are well and planning to go to ISTE this summer!
Doug