No more pencils, no more books in Ms. Kim Metzgar's 9th grade English class at Lancaster High School students are going high tech.
“I embraced all sorts of tech tools so we have a digital version of everything traditional,” Metzgar said.
Students are using laptops with a classroom website always available.
“The accessibility is a great feature. The students can access classroom activities whether they are absent, parents can utilize as a resource because they are in the loop. There is nothing to pay for in this class and nothing to carry,” Metzgar said.
Students said with the paperless class there is better organization. “I feel that it is a lot easier to take care of my things and my backpack is less heavy. I don't have to go back to my locker and I'm not late to class anymore,” Student Seamus Furlong said.
Excuses, including the dog ate my homework, are not accepted in this classroom.
“We get a lot more accomplished in one class period. You don't have to worry about losing anything because it is all on the computer, worry about losing paper and I like that,” Student Arianna Musialowski said.
Traditional English writing and spelling lessons have also changed.
“Penmanship I'm putting in the past. When I think about the college or career experience that my students will most likely have I don't think penmanship will play any sort of role. With spelling I love that my students are notified right away if something is misspelled and they receive suggestions on correct spellings,” Metzgar said.
Ms. Metzgar said another advantage is opportunity for class mobility. Her class uses different spaces every day depending on the lesson.
“For example we are currently reading Romeo and Juliette and we meet in the auditorium and read from the stage,” Metzgar said.
This paperless concept is not only innovative in Lancaster but Ms. Metzgars class has been a model for the entire region.
“I was able to be part of an event that hosts superintendents last year and an event for principals in the area. I also had about 14 speaking engagements about going paperless,” Metzgar said
The students said they like Ms. Metzgar’s style.
“If you need help Ms. Metzger can work with us one on one and learn at a better pace,” Musialowski said.
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