Sustainable/Green Education

Comment

Comment by Dianna Morton on March 26, 2010 at 6:19pm

Annie Leonard will be awarded The Fred Rogers' Integrity award at The Campaign for a Commercialfree Childhood Summit kicking off on April 8th!
http://commercialfreechildhood.org/events.htm

Comment by Ryan Goble on March 25, 2010 at 8:10pm

Dianna, OOhhhhhh, I'm with you now - I didn't even look at the thread below (duh) as I didn't remember it - it is from Jan 21. But cool - yeah, I think the carbon footprint discussion is a really hard one. You know I've had the cloth vs. disposable diapers discussion with people a bunch of times and they say it is one of those zero sum games.

I wonder if the digital vs. print argument goes the same way. I've read somewhere that we actually use more paper because people print so much from the internet! Maybe the iPad will save us all? Maybe not, eh?

I love colored paper and was crushed to learn what would probably be totally obvious to smart people - it releases all kids of slop into the water table.

In the meantime It seems like lots of people are at work trying to create a carbon footprint measure. Everything I've read about this makes it seem as hard as measuring learning. I mean with the paper - there is its footprint, but then you also have to tack on the toxins and probably a zillion other variables, eh?

While continue debating a more inclusive measure of GDP many folks are looking for things like environmental impact to be part of the measure - with little agreement. It does seem like we're quite far away from a universal measure of green as well :(

I like the quote from Manufactured Landscapes where Edward Burtynsky says, "it is not a simple right or wrong, it needs a whole new way of thinking." It sounds like we're both with him - we're stuck in that middle space right now. In the meantime, I'll keep trying to remember my grocery bags, keep my recycle bins full and try to close the loop by buying recycled paper!

Thanks for jumping in - sorry I was momentarily clueless.

But yeah, the STUFF is
hard to figure out.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
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Comment by Dianna Morton on March 25, 2010 at 7:20pm

Hi Ryan-- I was commenting on your own "We're glad you could join this sub-group! Sarah, for every forest I hand out in class.." I am not proposing any solution (I wish I had one!) such as not using computers-- I am only calling attention to this serious issue. I've seen this mind blowing Manufactured Landscapes documenart a while ago. Thanks for reminding me about it. Necessary for students to watch.

Comment by Ryan Goble on March 25, 2010 at 6:57pm

Diana, funny you should mention the ungreen nature of digital communications. My wife and I just watched this doc Manufactured Landscapes this week - a significant portion of the doc was about eWaste in China - it was like the slow motion version of Koyaanisqatsi:

I'm certainly aware of what you're talking about but I probably still need some clarification on the context. What are the "forest handouts" - do you mean the playlist stuff? Do you want us to consider not using computers?

Comment by Dianna Morton on March 25, 2010 at 6:39pm

Ryan-- to consider about your forest handouts--
At our school, we are beginning to incorporate moodle and on-line courses. It is thrilling to witness how easily the hs students engage in learning technology that acts and looks much like their social networking sites. In addition, and because of this, the students do more thoughtful and better constructed work there than on paper. I was getting very excited as a media lit teacher-- until a very respected colleague and I had a discussion that was an off-shoot from a media-lit consumer society discussion/lesson I just had with my 11th graders.
This digital technology is so far from green. It uses rare earths-- the harveting of which is causing the poisoning of the natural environments, the poisoning of the miners, and is another catalyst for resource wars. Something to consider.

Comment by Ryan Goble on January 21, 2010 at 10:58am

Melissa & Sarah!

Thank you for joining our sustainability group! We're glad you could join this sub-group! Sarah, for every forest I hand out in class I do try to save a few rainforests by putting a lot of stuff online :)

Do take a minute to look through the discussion forum above and see if there are already some need ideas / tools you can use :)

Good Vibes,

RRG:)

Comment by Melissa Aviles on January 20, 2010 at 10:04pm

This group is a good match for me. I'd like to get ideas I can use in the classroom that not only help with the lesson, but also serve as an example of how to be good to the environment.

Comment by Sarah Lavery on January 20, 2010 at 4:43pm

This group is perfect for me to learn ideas from. I'm not the most computer literate person so often I despise homework on moodle/ning/etc. However, I'm becoming more green since having my daughter and getting into the whole conservation for our next generation. SO I'd to learn ways to conserve- unlike ryan. who kills a rain forest every tu/th.

Comment by Ryan Goble on December 14, 2009 at 1:01pm

Elizabeth,

Thanks so much for sharing that resource! Consider also posting it above in the discussion forum so it does not get lost in the comment wall - we wouldn't want your resource to get buried in Wall comments :)

Comment by Anne Shaw on November 19, 2009 at 12:45pm

Hello, members! I've recently become extremely interested in and discovering information about green living, sustainability and green schools - it's incredibly exciting. As a curriculum designer and professional development professional, I have discovered wonderful ways to make all the disciplines come to life through a focus on green/sustainable projects for students.

I recently relocated back to Austin, TX from Pensacola, FL. I've been away about 3 years. Austin has an entirely new skyline - from new highways circling the metro area to many new skyscrapers downtown. All I can think of when I look at these steel and glass superstrucures, or when I see mile after mile of apartment roofs with nothing but plain shingles soaking up the sun, I wonder why in the world they arent taking advantage of new designs and making this city truly green. I have discovered vertical farming, vertical gardens (indoors and out), the new Eco City in Germany which is 100% sustainable, green schools that are 100% platinum LEED certified (in the US!) and much more!

I would also like to let you know of some of our upcoming workshops and hope that you can attend. Please visit our web site and sign up for our newsletter, too!

We need you to participate with other teachers in designing curriculum and instruction that make come alive for students - real world and relevant.

You will love any and all of the following workshops coming soon to New Orleans (French Quarter), San Antonio (on the Riverwalk), and Las Vegas (on the Strip of course!).

Web 2.0 Tools for the Classroom - Dec. 1 & 2, San Antonio

Designing the 21st Century Classroom - Dec. 3 & 4, San Antonio

Differentiated Instruction - Dec. 10, New Orleans

After School Programs for 21st Century Learners - Dec. 11, New Orleans

Service Learning - Dec. 12, New Orleans

Brain-Based Learning - Jan 19, Las Vegas

Social/Emotional Learning - Jan 20, Las Vegas

Designing the 21st Century Classroom - Jan 21 & 22, Las Vegas

Would love to see you there!

Anne Shaw, Director, www.21stCenturySchools.com

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