Environmental Benefits of Digital Learning
The educational landscape has shifted from in-person to digital or hybrid learning. All across the globe, many schools have transferred face-to-face classes to online ones. Students now watch lectures, take part in class discussions, submit assignments and meet with instructors via digital platforms. While there are pros and cons to this new way of learning, the environmental benefits of digital learning should be considered as our educational landscape continues to evolve.
What specific benefits have been observed with the transition to online learning?
- Reduction in Paper Use and Saves Trees
From in-class handouts to textbooks to hard copies of assignments, tests, projects, and more, in-person classes have substantially consumed a huge amount of paper. Further, according to the National Wildlife Foundation, 60% of school waste is paper, and one ton of paper waste is equivalent to around 16 large trees. This means traditional classes require the use of many trees and causes landfills to inevitably pile up with a tremendous amount of paper waste at the end of the semester. Online learning is reliant on digital documents. Students primarily access readings, class information, and assignments electronically through course management applications. Storing learning resources and materials on school portals, as well as administering assessments on digital platforms cuts this percentage down and saves millions of trees every year.
2. Reduced Energy Consumption
Typical higher education buildings consume the equivalent of $100,000 worth of energy per year on electricity for technology, lighting, and heating and cooling systems. However, online learning reduces energy consumption used to power large school buildings significantly. Virtual courses minimize the amount of physical classroom space and electronic devices used. The U.K.’s Open University Design Innovation Group found that virtual education consumed nearly 90% less energy compared to in-person classes. Incorporating remote learning options for students will reduce institutions’ carbon footprint and will even save a great amount of money.
3. Reduced Pollution and Carbon Emissions
Almost all students rely on personal cars, school buses, or public transportation to commute to school which results in heightened levels of pollution and emissions. Virtual classes and learning opportunities enable students to learn with comfort in their own space while avoiding the need for traveling. A study conducted by the University of West Georgia indicated that for every 100 students who do not commute to school, CO2 emissions would be cut by 5–10 tons per semester. Further another study by the Stockholm Environmental Institute proved that online learning could even reduce 90% of CO2 emissions. Specifically, the study found that every day a full-time student in a traditional learning environment emitted roughly 180 pounds of CO2, in comparison to only 4 pounds of CO2 produced by an online student. Avoiding the need to drive cars and take public transportation or lighting and powering unnecessary devices and classroom space lessons the detrimental effects on our environment.
Solution/Conclusion:
Although digital learning cannot replace in-person education, using it as a supplement to traditional learning can dramatically reduce our environmental impact. Initiatives among institutions, joint sustainable projects, and virtual learning can help make education greener; however, to make a difference, it is important that each school and student does their part to combat climate change.
