The most affordable printers for schools means giving printable resource access to all, while keeping down costs.

Sure, that refers to the upfront cost of these print machines, but it also includes ongoing running expenses, ranging from ink and paper right through to parts replacements and regular maintenance.

This is mentioned right upfront here, as sometimes what can look like a good deal on the surface can hold some hidden costs down the line. In fact, printers that are cheaper to buy up front can often have higher ink costs ongoing, for example.

Printers in schools need to be simple enough to be used by teachers, admins, and students alike. But they also need to have enough complexity to work across wired and wireless networks and for a variety of tasks.

From laser to inkjet, auto feed to copying and scanning, printer speeds and features should be taken into account before embarking on buying a single printer, let alone for an entire school or district. Finding the best printers is a task worth taking time over.

This guide aims to lay out the most affordable printers for schools right now, to help you make the right choice.

Most Affordable Printers For Schools

1. HP Smart Tank 7001: Best overall for low running costs

The HP Smart Tank 7001 is a standout for schools that print frequently and need to keep ongoing costs under control. Unlike traditional cartridge printers, this uses refillable ink tanks, dramatically lowering cost per page -- critical for classrooms producing worksheets daily.

It also includes automatic duplex printing and strong wireless connectivity, making it easy for multiple teachers or students to use from different devices. Importantly, it ships with a large amount of ink in the box, enough to last potentially years in a moderate-use classroom.

Standout:
High print volumes, minimal ink costs, long-term savings.

2. Epson EcoTank ET-2850: Best for reliability and ease of use

Epson’s EcoTank line is widely regarded as one of the most cost-efficient printer ecosystems available. The ET-2850 is a particularly strong entry-level option for schools, offering cartridge-free printing, solid reliability, and simple operation.

It includes auto-duplex printing and wireless support, making it well-suited to shared environments such as staff rooms or small departments. Its refillable ink system keeps per-page costs extremely low compared to traditional inkjets.

Standout:
Low maintenance, predictable costs, and easy setup.

3. Brother HL-L2400DW: Best for high-volume black-and-white printing

For many schools, most printing is still text-based with worksheets, exams, handouts, and so forth. That’s where a monochrome laser printer such as the Brother HL-L2400DW excels.

Laser printers use toner instead of ink, resulting in far higher page yields and faster print speeds. This model also includes automatic duplex printing and wireless connectivity, ideal for busy departments or admin offices.

User feedback consistently highlights laser printers such as Brother’s as the most cost-effective option for heavy document printing.

Standout:
Fast, durable, and extremely economical for text-heavy workloads.

4. Canon PIXMA G3270: Best for affordable color printing

If your school needs vibrant color printing for posters, displays, or learning materials, the Canon PIXMA G3270 offers a strong balance of affordability and performance.

It uses a MegaTank system, delivering very low cost per page while maintaining good color quality. It also includes wireless connectivity and mobile app support, making it easy for teachers to print from laptops or tablets.

Standout:
Budget-friendly color output without high ink costs.

5. HP DeskJet 2922: Best for ultra-low upfront cost

For schools that need a simple, low-cost entry point -- perhaps for a single classroom or occasional use -- the HP DeskJet 2922 is one of the cheapest all-in-one options available.

It offers print, scan, and copy functionality, along with wireless connectivity, making it suitable for light-duty use. While ink costs are higher than tank systems, the low initial price makes it accessible for tight budgets or temporary setups.

Standout:
Minimal upfront spend for basic classroom needs.

6. HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e: Best affordable printer with ADF for schools

If your school needs to scan multiple pages regularly -- for student work, admin forms, or safeguarding documents -- this is where stepping up to an automatic document feeder (ADF) becomes essential.

The HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e is one of the most affordable all-in-one printers that includes a proper ADF plus fast performance, ideal for busy school offices or staff rooms.

It also adds duplex scanning, strong wireless features, and app-based workflows, so teachers can digitize and distribute materials quickly without manual handling.

Standout:
Massively improves workflow when scanning and copying are frequent.

If buying a printer for a school is on your to-do list right now, then you're in the right place. This guide is here to help you consider all you need to know before making an investment in a printer, or many, for a school or district.

From a printer that serves an entire school building to a model that's purchased to work in a single classroom, there are lots of different points to consider. Economic factors, special functions, and even the size and layout of the machine are key features. Finding the best printers for schools can take time to be done correctly.

A printer is a long-term investment so running costs also need to be considered, and with laser or inkjet options, this can vary broadly.

Here are the key considerations to think about.

Buying A Printer for a School: Printer costs

One of the most important considerations when buying a printer, or multiple, is cost. And that's not just the amount you're paying up front -- these machines represent an ongoing expenditure. You will need to pay the initial charge but then consider the cost of paper and ink, as well as maintenance, over the life of the machine.

Some brands are more expensive than others when it comes to ink -- so if you see these as more affordable at purchase price, keep in mind this could be why.

Operational costs may factor in too. For example, you could pay more for an auto feeder, but that then allows admin staff to leave this to copy many documents alone, without the drain on their time that would be required without this more expensive feature.

Laser and ink are the two main types of printer, and although laser will cost you more upfront, these run faster and have lower toner costs than ink charges. A laser toner cartridge could get you up to 4,000 pages while an inkjet cartridge will likely top out closer to a few hundred pages.

Connectivity choices

If this printer is being used school-wide, or simply in one classroom, it'll need to have decent connectivity. Consider if you want the ability to load memory cards or flash drives into it, to print directly. Or if you want this to offer direct wireless printing from personal devices as well as school system units.

It's also worth looking at how well the printer or brand connects to networks, as this can ensure you have the printers securely on the local school network without issues in setup or longer-term maintenance.

If you go for an all-in-one model you may want wifi so that you can scan, copy, and print, all wirelessly, using multiple devices.

Ongoing reliability

The ability to be robust is key when it comes to a school printer. Since this model is likely going to be used by lots of different people, of varying ages and technical abilities, it will need to withstand the rigors or daily use. That often means going for a recognized brand, built to high standards.

It's also important to consider customer support and how easy it will be to replace parts or get repair assistance should that situation arise, as it inevitably will at some point. This is a machine with moving parts, so it has a limited lifetime. Thus, either plan to replace it in several years or invest in maintaining it for long-term use.

Printer features

The specific needs for each user, classroom and school can vary and so you may need a printer that has a lot of features in one model. Do you need to print in color, scan, copy, fax? Will your printer need to auto feed in scanning documents and be able to print out on both sides or staple pages together?

If you want a printer that's also a scanner, you will likely want wifi so that you can automatically upload those documents onto the school network for storage and secure access to those that need it.

Printer ownership vs. leasing?

Leasing, rather than buying, a printer, or multiple ones across a school or district, can provide financial benefit. Rather than taking the fiscal hit up front you may be able to spread that through leasing.

A lease can also often cover ongoing costs, such as maintenance, giving you more peace of mind as well as a fixed fee that you can budget for over the period, without any any surprise extras when something is broken or goes wrong.

Printer size

This might be a simple consideration but where will the printer live? Printer sizes vary pretty massively depending on the type you choose. Small desktop models that have a compact footprint are abundant, while there are more robust free-standing printers that hold lots of paper and ink but take up more space, vertically and horizontally. Knowing where yours will go should inform your final buying choice.

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The Canon MAXIFY GX4020 is a compact, high-volume all-in-one printer with refillable large-capacity ink tanks to meet the needs of a variety of users. It is a great addition to a small office or classroom with heavier printing, scanning, copying, and faxing needs, providing a cost-effective solution compared to the competition. The setup is fast and easy, with a one-page “getting started” sheet and onscreen guided instructions.  

This is an efficiently designed personal/small-to-medium business (SMB) All-in-One (AIO) printer. The unit weighs in at just under 21 lbs., and with a footprint of 9.9” H x 15.8” W x 16.4” D, it is a compact unit. With the large refillable tanks and ample main and rear paper trays, I won’t find myself refilling either very often.

With a variety of paper-handling options and a fairly high-capacity main and top paper trays, I had a great amount of flexibility and time between refills. The GX4020 also has a single-sheet rear flip-down tray that allows a straight path through the machine in case I want to print on heavy stock paper. The automatic document feeder (ADF) can handle up to 35 sheets of standard (or 5 sheets of legal-size paper) for scanning, faxing, and copying.

Getting Started With The Canon MAXIFY GX4020 

When I opened the box of the Canon MAXIFY GX4020 MegaTank printer I could immediately tell that Canon was thoughtful when designing this product. The instructions for unboxing and getting it connected were very simple to follow and made setup a breeze. 

Once I plugged in the machine, the 2.7-inch touchscreen walked me through the set-up process, including filling the ink tanks, as well as hardwiring and setting up wifi. The entire process took about 20 minutes, and half of this time was spent waiting for the printer head adjustment process to complete. 

I was able to easily add the printer to my mobile phone, via the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app, as well as on my PC and Chromebook using the operating system tools.  Canon was also very generous with the starter ink included, which will give you about 5,000 pages of black and white as well as color. Don’t worry about putting the ink in the incorrect tanks, Canon “keyed” each tank and bottle to ensure the ink bottle can only fill the tank for which it belongs.

Canon MAXIFY GX4020 Best Features 

During my testing I found the GX4020 to be a fast and reliable printer. The output is crisp and very color-accurate. Some of the features that stood out the most to me were: 

• Easy setup, intuitive user interface, and device compatibility. 
• Low printing costs of less than two cents per page, as per Canon. 
• High-capacity ink tanks to print up to 6,000 black or 14,000 color pages. 
• Pigment-based ink for crisp and durable prints. 
• The print head and maintenance cartridge are easily replaceable by the end user. 
• 250 sheet main cassette, 100 sheet rear tray, and a rear flat feed tray that can print on stock up to 0.7 mm thick as well as fabric. 
• 33,000-page monthly duty cycle. 

Canon Maxify GX4020 Pricing

• $449.99 for the printer 
• $123 for a complete set of replacement ink bottles 

Canon Maxify GX4020 Key Takeaways

I found the Canon Maxify GX4020 a pleasure to use. During my testing, I had no issues with setup, connectivity, or compatibility. The printer starts up from sleep pretty fast and the print speeds are comparable to other inkjet printers in its class. The automatic document feeder runs very smoothly and, although does not automatically duplex, still can scan and print on both sides of the paper. I just needed to flip the stack over and scan/copy again, the machine figures out the page order automatically so there is no need to worry about page order.  

If you are in an office environment or a classroom that needs an SMB printer, such as an art class, then this printer will meet your needs. It may not have a USB or NFC printing feature, but that will not be missed in a school environment. Plus, the low cost of ownership and user-replaceable parts will make district leaders' budgets happy too.

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If you want to create a YouTube channel for your class, and beyond, there is quite a bit to think about. Despite these glossy videos seeming to be effortlessly made by those teachers who have become YouTube sensations, they have put in a lot of work behind the scenes.

Don't be intimidated. You can do it relatively easily too and still get a great end result. It's up to you how much time, effort, and money you want to invest in your channel. And with the potential to make money from it, you may find it grows naturally over time.

So what do you need to consider if you're going to create a YouTube channel of your very own?

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1. Open an account

If you want to get in on the YouTube action then you'll need to sign-up for an account with the parent company, Google. You may already have a Google account making this as easy as signing in on the YouTube app or website. If not, head over to Google.com and sign up before logging into YouTube.

If you're creating a teaching account then you may want to use your real name, a moniker of some sort, or perhaps a title you've come up with that suits the type of teaching you're going to offer. A suitable photo, image, or logo to go with that can be useful to have available at sign-up too.

2. Setup a YouTube channel

At this point you will want to direct yourself to channel creation. The easiest way to do this, for your personal account, a class, or school, is to start uploading. If you go to upload a video then you will immediately be asked which channel it's going to. Since you don't have one yet, you'll be prompted to create a new channel.

Check over your account name and profile picture that will automatically populate the channel. If you're happy, continue through the process. This will then allow you to define how the channel is restricted for your students, if this is a school account. You can select the options to: like a video, comment on a video, favorite a video, and subscribe to the channel. For the best engagement it's advisable to check all these options as available. You can always moderate comments later if needed.

You are then able to decide if this channel will be public, private, or unlisted. Ideally you'll go with public so it can be found by students and potential followers. But if you go unlisted that lets you share the link with anyone that you want to find it, but it can't be found using search.

You are also able to set specific videos to unlisted – ideal if you have students in one and wish to keep their privacy.

3. Set production standards

It's important to develop a consistent and high-quality video style that you maintain. This not only makes the videos more enjoyable and engaging, but also gives you a defined style that helps you to be recognized more easily. On top of this, it provides a level of continuity for students so that they can feel comfortable when settling back into this video space for their next session. 

A few basics are important when thinking about making your videos:

Use decent lighting
Lighting is one of the most important parts of any video. A well-lit video is clearer, more natural, and far more engaging than one with shadows and distracting darkness. This can be most easily achieved by placing the light behind the camera, thereby lighting the subject facing the camera while also allowing the lens to let in maximum light. If there's not a lot of natural light, think about using lamps, a ring light, and/or room lighting to add to the ambience.

Make sure you're heard
Audio is very important, especially if you're dictating instructions to students -- just like in class. Most smartphones have multiple microphones that do a good job or picking up voices specifically. But be sure to minimize background noise (close those windows) and speak loudly and clearly. If you're struggling, then investing in a dedicated clip-on or omnidirectional microphone could be a worthwhile idea to provide a more professional finish. 

Edit your videos
There are lots of software options out there for editing video but YouTube itself features an editor in the app so using that can often do the trick without costing you anything extra. This lets you shoot video in chunks and put it together later, taking off the pressure to get it all right first time. 

4. Post videos regularly

There is huge value in posting videos with regularity. This allows students, and fans, to know when they can expect more content to land so they look out for it. This gets consistent viewing and can help to grow the channel -- YouTube appreciates regularity as does Google when it comes to searching for videos.

Regularity also offers stability to students that may grow to enjoy this video learning time as a part of their routine. 

5. Flip your classes

Using your videos to offer a flipped classroom can be very valuable on two fronts. Primarily it allows you to teach students outside of class time, with a lesson overview for example, so you can focus on questions, answers, and drills in the class itself. Secondarily, this also provides a useful pre-lesson resource for other teachers. This could be used in your school but may also be sought after by other teachers.

As you offer more useful resources regularly, you may find that you gain more subscribers and increase you video views. This is where you can start to grow your channel further.

6. Monetize your YouTube channel

Once you reach a certain subscriber threshold and break through then you can start making money from your videos, by which you're paid directly by YouTube. This means that the more views you get, the more money you can make.

This is where you can start to invest that money back into production. From buying a dedicated camera to filming lighting and audio gadgets, as well as props and software. All of these can enhance the professional finish of your videos and make your productions even more appealing to students and other viewers, letting you grow even more.

• What Is Screencast-o-matic and How Does It Work?
• 6 Ways to Bomb-Proof Your Zoom Class
• Zoom for Education: 5 tips
• Why Zoom Fatigue Occurs and How Educators Can Overcome It

Screencast a lesson as a way to engage students both in the classroom and when teaching remotely. A screencast is, essentially, a recording of your computer screen -- and you -- with audio narration over the top.

This means taking what you might normally teach in class and putting it on screen for the class to see as you cover a subject. It can now be done and viewed from anywhere, making it an idea tool for remote learning or a flipped classroom.

A screencast allows teachers to incorporate rich media, such as images, text, and video, or work through problems, all as if the student were being taught one-on-one. And since this is all recorded, students are able to go at their own pace and repeat anything they need to take a second pass at.

So while a screencast is clearly a valuable tool, how do you screencast a lesson?

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Best screencast software

The first step, if you want to screencast a lesson, is to get a software that will do that. This means something that will capture a video of your screen and allow you to record audio over the visuals. Ideally, this will also let you edit so you can cut out any mistakes, long pauses, or anything not connected to the lesson.

This software works a bit like a screenshot but with much more depth since you have video, audio, text, and editing options in many cases. Combine this with a webcam and you're able to have students see your face, in a box in the corner, as you work through the lesson -- making it far more life-like and immersive. You can also combine a document camera if you want to do real-world experiments or use physical documents -- great for grading homework one-on-one.

Screencast-o-matic is a great option as it's specifically built for this task. It works across a range of devices, allowing you to record and view on differing devices, ideal for students who might want to view the screencast from a smartphone. This includes video and image screen recording as well as editing. You can even blur parts of images, add graphics, and record from multiple cameras at once. 

A free version is available as well as a paid plan, with more premium features, however, as a way to get started, this offers the best combination of ease of use and helpful tools.

How to screencast a lesson

Once you've got your screencast software you'll need to first plan your lesson. Some may want to rehearse before beginning so everything runs smoothly. Others may prefer to work it out on the fly and potentially spend more time editing later – it really comes down to what works best for you.

It's worth checking out the best headphones for teachers and the best ring lights to make sure you have the clearest and most engaging setup. And should you run into issues check out our guide: Why does my webcam or microphone not work?

Once you've setup an account and logged into your software, you'll be able to get recording. It pays to have all the windows open you need before you get started. Similarly it's a good idea to close anything not needed to make sure you maximize memory available to the recording software, so you get the smoothest end result.

For the recording itself be sure you're in a quiet place and you have minimal distractions in your background when recording. Equally, make sure your computer's home screen is clear so there aren't distractions should that pop up when moving between windows. 

It can pay to have an external microphone, or decent headphones, if you want to your voice as clear as possible. Some people script their screencast for truly smooth flow, but sometimes trial and error is good to see what works for you.

Remember to turn off any notifications so there aren't distracting pop-ups during your screencast. 

When picking the resolution size it's worth noting that while you can record in 1080p, a 720p version will be more than enough and helps to keep file size smaller, making it more manageable for all devices. 

Once you're done, be sure to save the video and share it in MP4 format so that it can be viewed on most devices. Even better is to upload to YouTube so you know it'll be easily accessible no matter what devices are being used to view it. This can also make inserting it into an LMS, such as Google Classroom, easier.

Best Tips To Screencast A Lesson

Record audio separately
While it can be easy to record audio as you work through what's on screen, it may actually save you more time to record the audio afterward as this allows you to re-edit and make changes to what you're saying without have to re-record the video processes too.

Be concise
Don't be afraid to cut significantly in the editing process. The key to sustained engagement is minimalism that gets the point across without any time-wasting waffle. Think about your own viewing preferences and how you often appreciate getting quickly to the crux of the matter.

Bookend your videos
A short intro and outro to give your screencast a more professional feel is a useful touch. Give a 15-second or so intro and outro to help settle students into what's going to happen and, in the case of outro, to know what they're required to do next.

• What Is Screencast-o-matic and How Does It Work?
• 6 Ways to Bomb-Proof Your Zoom Class
• Zoom for Education: 5 tips
• Why Zoom Fatigue Occurs and How Educators Can Overcome It

If you want to livestream a class then you've landed in the right spot to learn all you need to know. It's now easier than ever to livestream a class from the comfort of – well, anywhere. 

From laptops to smartphones, you can pretty much livestream from any gadget packing a microphone and camera combination. That means a class livestream can not only be done immediately, in most cases, but it can also be done for free and from anywhere.

With a host of livestream services vying for your attention, that competition works out well for educators. From YouTube and Dacast to Panopto and Muvi, there are many ways to livestream a class.

Here's all you need to know to getting started so you can livestream a class right now.

• 6 Ways to Bomb-Proof Your Zoom Class
• Zoom for Education: 5 tips
• Why Zoom Fatigue Occurs and How Educators Can Overcome It

Best platforms to livestream a class

A large number of platforms allow you to livestream a class, each with varying benefits. So you first need to decide what it is you want out of your livestream.

If it's a simple video stream, directly from your device to your students, with nothing more, then you may well be served best by the simplicity and universality of YouTube.

However, you may want more advanced features, such as more security or a dedicated CMS, which a platform such as Dacast or Muvi can help with.

Panopto is another great option as it's specifically tailored to education needs. You can livestream a video of yourself but also split the screen to pull in another video feed, perhaps using a document camera to capture an experiment. This also integrates with most LMS and offers great levels of privacy and security, making it ideal for schools.

How to livestream a class using YouTube

The most easy, and free, way to livestream a class is by using YouTube. You will need to sign up for an account with Google, if you don't already have one. Then you can login to your own YouTube account where you will livestream from. The link to this channel can then be shared with students so they know where to go each time you have a livestream class.

Now it's time to make sure you have the right hardware setup. Does your device have a working webcam and microphone? You may also want to consider the best headphones for teachers and the best ring lights to get the most professional and high-quality finish. Having issues? Check out our guide here: Why does my webcam or microphone not work?

To get live streaming you'll need to verify your YouTube account, which can take up to 24 hours. So be sure to get the initial setup out of the way well in advanced of class day. This only needs to be done the one time.

All you need to do is open YouTube, on app or computer, then go to the top right where you will see a camera with a plus sign in it. Select this then "Go live." This is where you will need to select "Enable" if you're not setup yet.

Webcam or Stream on YouTube?

Once enabled, you can select either Webcam or Stream. The first, Webcam, just uses your camera so you can talk to the class. The Stream option lets you share your computer desktop with the class, ideal for a slides-based presentation, for example.

Title the stream you pick and then choose if its Public, Unlisted, or Private. Unless you want it on YouTube for all, you'll want to select Private. Then in the calendar icon, either leave the toggle for starting right away or slide it across to set a time and date for the class. 

Finish up by selecting next and then using the Share option to get a link to share with your students.

The same process applies to the Stream option, only in this case you'll also need an encoder, such as OBS, allowing you to add the picture-in-picture effect of you talking to the class while they follow your desktop presentation on screen. To do this, simply download the encoder and then add the key to your stream settings in YouTube and follow the prompts.

The livestream can be left to be just that, live only. Or, if less than 12 hours long, you can have YouTube archive it for you. This applies to all types of livestream and will be done in up to 4K resolution – making it future-proof to use in lessons to come too.

Best Tips For Live Streaming A Class

Think background
Set yourself up before turning on that camera, meaning think about what's behind you so it will not only avoid creating a distraction – or revealing too much – but could actually help. Science class? Get an experiment setup in the background.

Audio importance
Audio quality is super important if you're going to be talking a lot. Test your microphone before you start and if it's not crystal clear, consider investing in a direct plug-in one to enhance how you sound.

Pull in more
Video is great to get you in front of the students but boost that engagement by using other apps at the same time such as Piktochart or ProProfs.

• 6 Ways to Bomb-Proof Your Zoom Class
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• Why Zoom Fatigue Occurs and How Educators Can Overcome It

Webcam and microphone not work? That can be a frustrating situation to be in, especially when you need to teach a class over Zoom or attend a school meeting using Meet. Whatever your video chat platform, without a microphone or webcam working, you're stuck.

Thankfully, it can often be the case that it's not a hardware fault with your device but rather a setting issue, which can be relatively easily fixed. So even if you're in a chat right this minute, frantically scouring the web for a fix and finding yourself here, you may yet join that meeting.

This guide aims to clarify a few areas that should be checked before going into panic mode and heading to your hardware store with the credit card at the ready.

So read on to find out all the best way to fix it if your webcam and microphone will not work.

• 6 ways to bomb-proof your Zoom class
• Zoom for education: 5 tips
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Why do my Webcam and microphone not work?

There are a number of basic checks worth carrying out before you resort to anything drastic and these apply across various video chat platforms as well as for general use on your machine. Devices vary too, from smartphones and tablets to laptops and desktop computers. This guide aims to help you no matter your device.

Check the basics

It might sound silly, but is everything connected? If you have an external webcam or microphone there could be a connection issue either with the cable or with a wireless connection. So be sure to check devices using a local system before trying on a chat platform. This can mean plugging into a different port, turning the device peripherals on and off again, or even reinstalling.

On a Mac you can open Image Capture, for example, to see if the camera and microphone are working locally on that device. For Windows machines these will have Video Editor as the standard that you can use to check your devices locally, within machine connections.

It's also worth checking the devices are being properly powered. In the case of built-in webcams, there is usually an LED light to show it is working. And for microphones, it can pay to check by activating the personal assistant on your device the will listen, be it Siri on a Mac or Cortana on a Windows device.

Check the software

If everything is connected, or your devices are built-in, then it's time to check the software. On a PC you can open a testing website to see (this works for Mac too), such as onlinemictest.com. This will show you if your mic is working and, crucially, it will also be showing you if it works over an internet connection.

If the mic still isn't working, it can be worth checking the microphone settings in your device. For a Windows machine this can mean checking that the correct and most up-to-date drivers are installed, in Settings. For a Mac, you can go right to the Sound section in System Preferences.

If the mic is working using this tool then the problem lies in the video chat app you're using.

Are the mic and webcam active?

Within the video chat app there is a chance that the webcam and mic are set to "off." This can vary across apps but also from meeting to meeting. One host may choose to set your webcam and mic to off and mute automatically as you join. Some may let you turn this on once in the meeting, others may not.

Presuming you have the permissions granted to activate your audio and video, then you may need to do this yourself within the app. We'll cover off the three major platforms for video chat here.

Zoom
In Zoom there are video and microphone icons at the bottom of the app, no matter what device you're using. You can simply select these to turn on your device. In some cases you may find that the microphone volume is low, in which case you can select the down arrow and change settings to adjust the microphone sensitivity.

Google Meet
Meet has a simple two-icon interface at the bottom of the video window. If these are red and crossed through then your device is not on. Tap that to turn the icon black-and-white and you will see that the device is then active. If issues still ensue, select the settings icon in the top right and go into the video and audio section to make adjustments that may help. If you're running Meet through a browser and have issues, try another browser and that may resolve it.

Microsoft Teams
In Microsoft Teams there are toggle switches on the screen for mic and webcam controls. These show as a black space when off with the white dot to the left. When turned on the white dot will move to the right as the space is filled in blue. If these are on and don't work, you can select device settings on the right and use the drop-down arrows to change microphone and webcam settings to make sure you're running correctly.

Is the space appropriate?

Another issue that could come from the real world is the space being used. If it is too dark, for example, it could be that the webcam is on but simply can't pick up your image. Having a light or ideally multiple lights on, if not in daylight, is recommended. Or check out our list of the best ring lights for remote teaching.

Similar can apply to the microphone when too much background noise may be creating bad audio feedback. In this case you may find that the host of the meeting has muted you so that everyone else doesn't hear that sound. Finding a quiet space with little background noise is ideal – in most video chat settings you can turn on the auto adjust setting to cut out background noise. The best headphones for teachers in remote teaching may help here.

Check you're using the correct source

You may find that you have your microphone and webcam working just fine but the video chat you're using isn't working with these. You may either have multiple input devices, or your computer thinks you have more than one installed, so the video chat is trying to connect to those other devices and failing as they're off or no longer used.

To fix this, head to your computer's audio and video settings in which you can uninstall any older devices no longer in use or disconnect any other devices you may not need.

Alternatively, for a quick fix, you can just adjust the input feed from within the video chat. But this may mean you need to do that each time, so it pays to get rid of any unwanted devices from your system.

Is your system up to date?

It's fairly likely most of your system will be up to date, thanks to auto updates. But there may be an app, a driver, or even the OS, which hasn't had its update. Since these free and over-the-air updates fix all manner of bugs and improve efficiency, it's important to keep updated.

Make sure your operating system is running on the latest release, be that macOS, Windows, or Chrome. Also check that your video chat app is running the latest version. Once everything is up to date, a restart is required to make sure you're running most efficiently.

• 6 ways to bomb-proof your Zoom class
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• Why Zoom fatigue occurs and how educators can overcome it

If you're asking, 'Why can’t I print?' then we feel your pain, it can be a frustrating experience to have. Thankfully it's also fairly common. That being a good thing as it can mean that the fix is easy enough.

While that hope is dangling there, it's worth noting that printers are complicated, both in terms of hardware and software. So even with the below tips you may not get the result you're after. But at least by trying all this you will have the peace of mind knowing you've done all you can. Then, in the worst case, it's either time to call out a professional or to look at buying a new printer.

To answer the actual question of why you can't print it could be due to simple things such as networking issues, a paper jam, or low toner ink. Or it could be more complicated, such as service is required, there's a physical breakage, or there's a hardware driver problem.

But for now here are some steps worth taking to see if you can get printing once again right away.

• Best 3D Printers

Why can’t I print?

Check the basics

Before looking into any potential printer issues, it's always worth checking off the basics to make sure it's not something relatively simple that's been missed. That in mind, this checklist offers a few common issues to check before going any further.

• Is the printer powered on?
• Does the printer have paper?
• Are all the necessary cables connected?
• Is the wireless network connection working?
• Does the printer have ink toner?

Once you've gone through those and are sure all are in working order, and you still have a problem, it's time to look a little deeper.

Check the software

If your printer won't print then it's a good idea to check that the print job in the queue is correct. Best case, you may find that you've sent the job to another printer by mistake, in which case you can print again and be sure to select the local printer from the drop-down menu before hitting that final print icon.

If that's not the issue, but you're still getting an error message, or just nothing happening at the printer, then it's a good idea to power down the printer and turn it on again. It's a simple and classic fix, sure, but it works so is worth a try.

Is there a jam?

While a jam in the printer is usually caused by paper getting gnarled up, which can simply be pulled out, it can also be down to the paper itself. Sometimes, if you have too much paper loaded in the feeder tray, the printer won't be able to draw a single sheet. 

This could appear as a jam on the printer error screen, if you're lucky, but more likely you won't see what is happening or why. If you suspect this could be the problem, take a chunk of paper out so there is a bit of room in the paper tray and try the print again.

Is phone printing a problem?

Sometimes one device, such as a laptop, will print fine but another gadget, like a smartphone can have problems. Most modern printers that sit on a WiFi network allow any mobile device to print. The key here is that it's the local network being used so both devices must be active on that.

So be sure to check that the smartphone is connected to WiFi and it's the same network that the printer is on. If that is the case and there are still issues, it could be the software the phone is using. Check to see if there are app updates available and also be sure to restart your phone to make sure as many gremlins have been exorcised as possible before trying again.

I can't see my printer

If the printer is turned on yet isn't appearing as an option to print from, then you may find that it's not connected to the network. This was a basic problem listed above but we're going into it more here as network issues can be varied.

The first step to help here is to make sure your printer is as close to the WiFi router as possible, so the connection is solid. Failing that, if you can plug your printer in via an Ethernet cable, which is the most stable option. 

Sometimes network or software changes can cause network issues. Turning both the printer and WiFi off and on again is a good start here. If issues persist, it's worth removing the printer from the network and re-installing it to get a fresh connection that you know is working.

Printing looks terrible

You may be able to print but the end result just isn't good enough. From blurry text to blotches of color or even out-of-place lines on the page, there are many ways a print can go wrong. Thankfully, there are some relatively easy fixes.

A printer does need maintenance as it will lose accuracy over time. Most come with self-fixing systems onboard. The first one worth doing is a print nozzle head clean, then an alignment check. Both of these options should be in the settings section of your printer, accessible via the physical controls on the front or via an app, if it has that.

A top tip is to carry out the head cleaning more than once to make sure those nozzles are firing on optimal efficiency before you try to print again.

• Best 3D Printers

Ricoh USA, Inc. today announced that its partnership with Hatboro-Horsham School District to enhance its printer fleet has resulted in new opportunities to invest in its students. The district, which has saved $90,000 over the course of its 15-year partnership with Ricoh, once again turned to Ricoh’s experts to help reduce print costs, establish centralized monitoring and management, and re-allocate resources to core educational needs.

Hatboro-Horsham School District, located in suburban Philadelphia, has a strong history of academic excellence. Serving approximately 5,000 students, the district provides education to students from grades K-12. It has received blue ribbon honors from both the Pennsylvania and United States Departments of Education. Eager to serve students of diverse backgrounds, Hatboro-Horsham decision makers wanted to find ways to reinvest funds in a variety of programs to make its schools a more effective and welcoming learning environment. This required looking at its overall operations to uncover ways to save more.

To accomplish this, Hatboro-Horsham turned to Ricoh. The company’s experts conducted an in-depth analysis of the district’s printing fleet and discovered a lack of centralized monitoring and management. Over the years, printers had been added in a piecemeal fashion, and it became difficult to tell who was printing what and why, or to conduct day-to-day analysis of device utilization across the fleet. The district needed to eliminate underutilized devices, implement upgraded multifunction printers (MFPs) to serve diverse needs at lower costs and create transparency throughout the fleet.

With this in mind, Ricoh designed and implemented a solution. First, the fleet was reduced by 150 devices, including the elimination of under-utilized single-function desktop printers. Then, the schools’ existing PaperCut™ MF authentication software implementation was expanded, leveraging MFPs’ newly added card readers to collect usage data that could be used to make informed decisions about fleet optimization going forward. Ricoh took over basic maintenance, which had plagued the IT staff with high volumes of break-fix and routine maintenance for the aging fleet. Now, the Ricoh Managed Services Support Center (RMSSC) would automatically replenish toner as needed, in addition to providing analysis and support. This allowed IT staffers to focus their efforts on core tasks. The expanded, centralized monitoring and management willallow Ricoh and Hatboro-Horsham to gain insights into device utilization and uptime, helping to shape decisions about print policy after initial rollout.

At the same time, mobile printing for tablets and laptops was rolled out at the high school, with implementations at the middle and elementary schools soon to follow.  

“It’s been a total win-win with Ricoh,” said Robert Reichert, Director, Business Affairs, Hatboro-Horsham School District. “We’ve been able to improve our services and the functionality is so much better – and our costs went down. In the past, we had copiers all over the district, but we didn’t know if they were utilized properly. Now, we have the right devices with the right functionality in the right places. And we can say that with confidence, because we have the transparency and the expert management to make sure things stay optimized, even if our needs change.”

Canon U.S.A. showcases its latest solutions for the education market at ISTE 2018 (Booth #2375), from June 24 to June 27, 2018 at the McCormick Place West Building in Chicago.

At the show, Canon demonstrates its Intelligent Grading Solution (IGS) IGS PRO, a test grading and analytics cloud-based software. The current IGS system provides educators with the flexibility to create and grade exams, and then generate detailed, analytical reports from an imageRUNNER ADVANCE system. Additional features now available through IGS PRO software include the ability to utilize a web-based portal, incorporate math questions on answer sheets, review exceptions and adjust test data accordingly, export grade data into popular learning management systems,1 and more.

[What’s New: New Tools for Schools]

Canon invites educators to an exhibit to learn how a PIXMA G3200 MegaTank All-in-One printer, in collaboration with a Silhouette America digital fabricator and software, can create 3D educational models utilizing 2D prints. The Canon USA-Silhouette America collaboration will include a library of 250 Canon Creative Park crafts that are processed to work with the Silhouette fabricator after being printed on the Canon printer so that students can immediately immerse themselves into the assembly of fun learning crafts. The solution provides a fast method for producing 3D crafts when compared to traditional 3D printers, has applicability to STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art & Math) curriculum and has been validated by educators as an effective pedagogical tool for teaching design, assembly and spatial rendering.

Toshiba America Business Solutions’ technology initiative is enabling students, teachers and administrators at King/Drew Magnet High School of Medicine & Science in Los Angeles to print from anywhere on campus using a mobile device.

[3D Printing For Learning]

The magnet high school’s 1,700 students as well as 120 teachers and administrators print lesson plans, study guides, tests and other educational materials from their laptops and mobile devices to Toshiba’s e-STUDIO multifunction printers. King/Drew Magnet High School’s students are primarily printing to Toshiba’s print fleet using their school-issued Chromebooks.