How do you manage student printing?

[RallyTech]

We just recently had an issue where some students copied some inappropriate things on our networked copy machine. As a result of this, student permission to print to those copy machines were also revoked as deemed by administration. However, teachers who check out mobile carts still need their students to print documents. One teacher has over 120 students and it would be impractical to have all the students e-mail him and then have the teacher download each attachment one by one and then print it all.

 

We have a Windows 2003 server acting as our print server. I'm looking for free solutions on how to handle this. How can we still allow students to print but keep it monitored?

[elsiegee40]

We just recently had an issue where some students copied some inappropriate things on our networked copy machine. As a result of this, student permission to print to those copy machines were also revoked as deemed by administration. However, teachers who check out mobile carts still need their students to print documents. One teacher has over 120 students and it would be impractical to have all the students e-mail him and then have the teacher download each attachment one by one and then print it all.

 

We have a Windows 2003 server acting as our print server. I'm looking for free solutions on how to handle this. How can we still allow students to print but keep it monitored?

 

Most of us use paid-for solutions such as Papercut or Print Manager Plus.

 

They pay for themselves in the savings on toner as the excessive print waste is cut out. However, introducing software like this has to be done with 100% commitment from your management team. If the head doesn't like it, he'll give in every time a teacher moans and you may as well not have it.

 

If you're into Linux/Debian - there is Pykota

EDIT: This thread will help with Pykota http://www.edugeek.net/forums/nix/6947-installation-guide-samba-winbind-cups-pykota.html

Edited March 3, 2010 by elsiegee40

[FN-GM]

We used to set ours to automatically pause and when the teacher gives them permission to use the printer they un pause it.

[Trapper]

I realise you are after free, however I cannot recommend Print Manager Plus enough.

 

Before this we used an old, old version of Ranger Print Manager, which barely did the job.

 

Since deployment in October just on prints denied for file size, or copies, or pages, or number of images on curriculum printers (that is Laser Jets and bubble jets - not photocopiers) we've saved triple the cost of the software.

 

We also caught a group of students trying to print a 100 page work book to a medium load Laser Jet - that's almost 1500 pages (across 15 students).

 

If they'd have managed that would have basically emptied the toner, and cost the HoD for Science £60!

 

We have a top notch Ricoh photocopier in the staff room, which also runs as their printer. As such we put no real restrictions on it. Staff instead of photocopying a work sheet 25 times, can just print it. It's all the same drum, costs the same.

 

We've managed to stop some staff using LaserJets like photocopiers. Printing ten worksheets 30 times on a LaserJet - it has saved us a fortune!

[R0M]

We use PaperCutNG here, It is great you can easly limit the ammount students can print. We let all students have $20 at the start of the year and then charge them 10c for grayscale and 20c for colour jobs. If they run out they can come and ask for more, we will look at what they have printed, if its all reasonable we add more. The licence is provied free from WA Department of Education for our school though so I'm not sure about costs.

[amishb]

hi guys!

 

you should try using a website called unidoxdirect (Google them)

 

they offer printing for students and teachers alike online delivered to your school etc.. i am a teacher and ask my students to consider printing online and i print my larger docs online.. theyr pretty cheap and reliable!

 

happy teaching!

[plexer]

Surely using a service like that requires plannin ahead? Whilst you have it sussed most don't.

 

Ben

[Gatt]

How do you manage student printing?

 

By hooking up the guillotine to the printer and programming it so that if a student prints something it slices their fingertips off when they try to free the ever so convenient paper jam...

[misterfriendly]

+1 for Papercut. For an extra US$ 250 you get implementation support which is well worth it. Their support staff is fantastic. Plan to spend some time on setup, but once you get all the pieces in place it rocks.