How can you design EdTech-based curricula that are environmentally sustainable?

1 Assess your needs

Before you adopt any EdTech solution, you should assess your learning objectives, your students' needs, and your available resources. You should also consider the environmental costs and benefits of different EdTech options. For example, do you need to use a cloud-based platform that requires constant internet connection and server power, or can you use a local or offline software that saves energy and bandwidth? Do you need to buy new devices or can you reuse or recycle existing ones? Do you need to print or distribute physical materials or can you use digital formats?

2 Choose green EdTech

Not all EdTech products are created equal when it comes to environmental sustainability. You should look for EdTech solutions that are designed with green principles, such as energy efficiency, durability, recyclability, and minimal packaging. You should also check the environmental policies and practices of the EdTech providers, such as how they source, manufacture, transport, and dispose of their products. You can use online tools, such as EPEAT or Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics, to compare and evaluate different EdTech products and companies.

3 Integrate sustainability topics

One of the best ways to design environmentally sustainable EdTech-based curricula is to integrate sustainability topics into your content and activities. You can use EdTech to teach your students about the environmental issues and challenges facing the world, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and resource depletion. You can also use EdTech to inspire your students to take action and develop solutions for a more sustainable future, such as by creating digital projects, campaigns, or innovations that address environmental problems.

4 Promote eco-friendly behaviors

Another way to design environmentally sustainable EdTech-based curricula is to promote eco-friendly behaviors among your students and yourself. You can use EdTech to model and encourage practices that reduce the environmental impact of education, such as by turning off devices and lights when not in use, using renewable energy sources, recycling or donating old devices and materials, and choosing green transportation options. You can also use EdTech to monitor and measure your environmental footprint, such as by using apps, calculators, or dashboards that track your energy consumption, carbon emissions, or waste generation.

5 Collaborate and share

A final way to design environmentally sustainable EdTech-based curricula is to collaborate and share with other educators and learners who are interested in the same topic. You can use EdTech to connect and communicate with peers, experts, or communities who are working on sustainability projects or initiatives. You can also use EdTech to share your own experiences, insights, or resources with others who can benefit from them. By collaborating and sharing, you can learn from each other, exchange ideas, and amplify your impact.