Technological Resources – An Opportunity for Green Education?

With the accelerated rate of technological developments discussed in the previous blogs, what technologies are available for schools and does the promise of digitised learning provide the potential to “save our planet”?

·         Green Education:  The Global Forrest Resource Assessment 2005 reported 60 000 square kilometres of primary forest area was reduced annually.  They also warn that this figure could be drastically underestimated due to the fact that many countries to not monitor these activities and therefore their figures are not included in that statistic (www.understory.ran.org, 2012).  This negative impact on the environment – only with regards to the loss of trees and not including the pollution from the industrial production – is great.  With the vast possibilities of technology to reduce paper-based systems and digitise learning, the environment should be a key focus. 

Although technological mediums and tools are still a costly means for schools to incorporate and also may not be a priority, it is the way of the future and therefore teachers need to instil habits of saving the environment in their learners.  Also if we consider the rate that technology becomes obsolete and the effect this has on the price of these technologies, it is possible that these technologies may be a viable and feasible resource in the near future.

However, having said that technology becomes obsolete at a rapid rate, what does this mean for the disposal of technological equipment?  Greenpeace states that, “Toxic chemicals in electronics products can leach into the land over time or are released into the atmosphere, impacting nearby communities and the environment.”  Are we then not simply replacing one means of harming the environment with another?  Robert Accettura (2004) says that this e-waste can be harmful to the environment, however, it how we dispose of obsolete technological equipment that holds the key to reducing harmful e-waste.  He suggests a number of inexpensive ways, including but not limited to the following (Accettura, 2004):

·         Sell outdated computers – often for a discount on a new computer

·         Donate computers – to schools, homes, etc. (your trash could be there treasure)

·         Upgrade computers – nowadays, fairly easy to do

·         Find other uses for parts

Linking back to the discussion about schools being green, it still comes down to education.  Learners need to be as aware of the impact that cutting down trees has as the impact of dumping e-waste.  Teachers need to become more environmentally savvy and educate learners on the many options for saving the environment. 

·         Technology Resources in Schools:  As discussed above, technology is a rapid changing resource. When computers were first invented no-one could have foreseen the amazing machines of today’s society and what they would be capable of. Technology provides the potential to enter a truly paperless age.

Some technological resources needed for a truly 21^st century school are computers for each student and teacher (this includes any of the following: laptops, desktops, tablet pc’s, iPods, netbooks); networks – preferably Wi-Fi – that will allow learners and teachers to use their personal computer to gain access to their own files and access to the internet from anywhere in the schools; and each class will need a television (www.21stcenturyschools.com, [Not dated]); projector; interactive whiteboard; student response systems (“clickers”) for each student; software for creation of art, music, theatre, radio, film, television, software for voice and handwriting recognition and software for blogs, online journals and creation of electronic classes e.g. exelearning; wireless microphones for each teacher; portable storage devices such as flash or portable hard drives for the learners and teacher.

In our opinion the use of all this technology in a traditional school (building with teachers) is only the first step towards a truly 21^st century school. From our perspective the eventual outcome will be for all schools to become online schools where everything will be electronic and over the internet, including the classes and submissions of assignments. 

·         The Purpose of Education:  A discussion facilitated by Prof. Slabbert  (2012) lead to the investigation of what the purpose of education is.  In order to identify what the purpose of education is, one needs to create a vision of where education should be.  In other words, what conditions should exist which would result in one being able to say that education has taken place and its purpose has been fulfilled (www.21stcenturyschools.com, [Not dated]).  The discussion group came to the conclusion that – at its simplest – education would be successful where “the potential of everyone has been realised and maximised” (Slabbert, 2012).  In other words, the purpose of education is to ensure that each individual achieves their maximum potential.  In the 21^st century this would extend beyond the learners “curriculum” potential and include the learner’s inner potential.  This inner potential encompasses the skills necessary to enter the workplace as well as other skills necessary in day-to-day practices.

 

As a final note and to justify the need for the paradigm shift for education to the 21st century, we quote John Dewey, an "American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer whose ideas have been influential in education and social reform" (Wikipedia, 2012).  He says:

"If we teach today as we taught yesterday, then we rob our children of tomorrow"                                                                                                                                                         --John Dewey

Therefore, it is clear that as the world around us changes, education needs to change.  Just as we’ve adapted technologically, socially and interactively, so too does education need to adapt.  If it does not, our children will not be equipped to deal with the challenges, nor will they be aware of the opportunities that the 21^st century brings.

References

1.                     1.         21st Century Schools,  (Not dated),  What is 21st Century Education,  [Online]  Available from:  http://www.21stcenturyschools.com/What_is_21st_Century_Education.htm,            

                                    Accessed:  29-02-2012.

2.         Greenpeace,  (2012),  Where does e-waste end up?,  [Online]  Available from:  http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/toxics/electronics/the-e-waste-problem/where-does-e-waste-end-up/,  Accessed:  03-03-2012.

3.         Prins, G., 2012, Foundations of Education (FOE 400), Top 10 Trends to Watch, 01-03-2012.

4.         Prisd.ab.ca.  (Not dated),  [Online].  Available from http://www.prsd.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=227&Itemid=118.  Accessed on 01-03-2012.

5.         Slabbert, J., A.,  (2012)  Professional Portfolio (PPF 400),  The Purpose of Education,  28-02-2012

6.         The free dictionary,  (Not dated),  [Online] Available from http://www.thefreedictionary.com. Accessed on 22-02-2012.

7.         Understory,  (2012),  How many trees are cut down every year,  [Online],  Available from:  http://understory.ran.org/2008/04/22/how-many-trees-are-cut-down-every-year/,  Accessed:  01-03-2012

8.         Wikipedia,  (2012),  John Dewey,  [Online],  Available from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dewey,  Accessed: 01-030-2012.