It's Not Easy Being Green

Okay, I know that's a corny and unoriginal title, but it's true. I used to tell my students (saying that makes me feel REALLY old): "Nothing worthwhile in life is ever easy." While that might be too broad a generalization, I was trying to convey the idea of working hard to create a good product, and not just settling for that 70 D-.

Trying to keep our earth "green" and reducing waste and our "carbon footprint" (which has become the last buzz word [phrase]), takes effort. Increasing our use of technology in education can help us move toward "being greener."

I’ve been hearing and reading a lot about the Pittsburgh Pirates’ initiative to “Go Green” this year, and I saw evidence of it when I saw them play in Florida during spring training. (At least they're successful at something.)

I’m also impressed with the recycling program the Key Club is doing here at school, but I often get discouraged about the amount of paper we use, especially when our students live in a digital world. I know, I know . . . I’ve said that a million times, but seriously, we have to meet them where they are, and paper is not where they are. (I don’t even use paper any more, and I’m kinda old.)

Of course, Sharepoint has helped us to eliminate some of our paper usage, yet I still find stacks of wasted paper from printers in computer labs and even hear teachers instructing students to print PowerPoint presentations!

Speaking of PowerPoint, if you create presentations in PowerPoint, or ever plan to in the future, please, please watch this very funny and informative video titled “How NOT to Use PowerPoint.”

Think of the money we would save if we went totally digital . . . well, maybe just a lot more digital. Here are some tools that can help us move in a more digital direction.

Instead of having students create collages on poster board, you could have them create their own museum at http://museum.thinkport.org/. Students can insert pictures as “exhibits” and give an explanation for each one. I know a lot of students would enjoy that more than gluing pictures on a piece of cardboard.

Keeping with the museum theme, Brooklyn Museum has set up a photography exhibit online called Click! The museum wants the online community and the general public to participate in the exhibition process by evaluating the photography. It might seem like something that would only benefit art or photography students, but I can see applications in other disciplines, such as WRITING. What a great way for students to develop critical thinking skills, and to feel that their opinions count.

One way to help students become more involved in conservation is to help them learn more about our world. Here is a cool geography site called My Wonderful World. That may sound a little “elementaryish,” but it’s not.

The Discovery Channel has created an interactive site where students can learn about global warming. I’ve played around with it a little, and I’m impressed with it. Plus, I think it’s fun. It’s called Discovery Earth Live.

A good site to get students involved in current issues is Youth Noise. On this site, students can network with others their age and discuss current issues more important than “Paris Hilton’s wardrobe.” (That’s a quote from the site.)

Some students may be more interested in studying the body than the earth. (No jokes here.) “This entirely Web-delivered application offers an unparalleled understanding of human anatomy. The Visible Body includes 3D models of over 1,700 anatomical structures, including all major organs and systems of the human body.” You have to sign up, but it’s free.

And for you crazy math people, "GeoGebra is a free and multi-platform dynamic mathematics software for schools that joins geometry, algebra and calculus."

With all this online “stuff,” we need to watch our kids—the ones here at school, and the ones at home. Google and Common Sense Media have partnered to create online safety tips, including a video that you really should watch in order to help your students and own children remain safe. I’ve found that many parents don’t have a clue about online safety issues. (Not that any of you fall into that category, but it’s always good to learn even more.) Click here to view the Google tips and video.

Finally, please take the time to read this blog entry, and then think about whether the education system, and each of us in particular, really has kept up with our 21^st Century audience.