Copiers: Friend of Foe?

The copier is one of those great teaching assets that you don't really know about until you are given the opportunity to interact with one during observations, pre-student teaching, or student teaching. 

There should be a class that deals with the mechanics of goes with teaching. Not methods, pedagogy  or actual teaching craft. A class dedicated to, copiers, printers, computers, projectors, and other actual physical tools we use in teaching everyday. 

A good part of this class should be dedicated to understand what the copier is, how it functions, and how it can benefit you, the teacher. 

The copier can be a teachers friend in several different ways. It can function properly for one, it can staple the large amount of copies if you are making a packet or test. It has the ability to print right from your computer if the school has it set up that way in our wonderful technological era. 

However, with the pros there are the cons. Cons can start with the dreaded "Out of Order" sign which has you either scrambling all around the building to find a copier that works, which then you may interact with co-workers that you hardly do outside staff meetings, and this also means changing your lesson drastically because you needed that worksheet for the students. Another con is the copier is paper jams and it gives you simply instructions it seems but has you opening up to the guts of the thing, turning knobs, lifting levers, and anything that could be seen with open heart surgery to find that one sheet of paper. The number one rule when doing this, DON'T RIP THE PAPER. 

Here is a list that might help you out in the future. 

1. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
1. I know for me, I can be a little shy when asking other for help and would prefer to do it myself. But with the copier, unless it is a personal copier that can be found just in your classroom just for your use, this copier is used by everyone. So if you mess it up it will be not just inconvenient to you. No pressure. 
2. Know what the terms collated, 1-1 1-2 2-2 sided and other terms mean. 
3. Test before you act. 
1. It's a good idea that until you really get to know your copier you to use test pages before you print out 32 copies and half the text is cut off.
2. Also no one like a waster, so a page or 2 extra is alright, not 10. Don't kill trees. 
4. Procrastination will be the end.
1. Don't ever save your coping to the last minute unless you have a good idea the period before the class.This also can help promote you thinking about the lesson a few days ahead, a good skill to have. 
2. Also those pesky out of order signs come up when the copier really knows you need it, its like red lights when your late for something. Copy when you can. 

Following these tips can help you if you are learning to be a teacher, observing in class, or preparing for student teaching. 

The moral of this story is to not shy away from learning this all mighty machine. It may look daunting, it may seem complicated. You will mess up, you may have to do things you never expected to do. But just remember, this is all in the name of teaching and just part of the job.