Sustainable ICT and Sustainable e-learning

Symposium on the Benefits of eLearning Technologies

University of Manchester, in conjunction with the Higher Education Academy Subject Centres in Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Mathematics, Statistics and Operational Research

Wednesday 13 April 2011

Neil Gordon

IntroductionWe will start by reviewing:• What is Sustainable Development• What is Sustainable ICT • How do we create Sustainable

eLearning

What is Sustainable Development

• What is isn’t: it isn’t just about the environment (but that is a large part of it);

• Sustainable Development covers a wide range of topics;

• The obvious ones: the environment and the green issues, as well as some which are

• It also embodies the idea that society should be long lasting;

Some principles for Sustainable Development (SD)• Meeting the needs of today without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (United Nations);

• The U.K. government identifies these priority areas:– Living within Environmental Limits– Ensuring a Strong, Healthy and Just Society– Achieving a sustainable Economy– Using Sound Science Responsibly– Promoting Good Governance

Computing and Sustainable Development: SustainablIT• Computing has links and applications

in many of these areas• Particularly utilising Computer

science to assist with the other areas– Environmental limits: Consumption of

resources and energy use– Providing for a just society through

supporting communities and governance– Supporting the economy

Green IT• So how does this really affect

computing....

Making computers• They use a lot of precious and

rare metals in their construction• Creating silicon chips and other

parts use a lot of energy

Using Computers• The energy required to use a

computer is quite surprising• Some devices are low power – your

mobile phone, laptops, handheld games consoles

Computer Power• But desktop machines, and

all the servers and machines that power networks and the Internet use a lot more

• The data centres that hold all our data require special environments

Which use the most electricity• The UK Aircraft industry or ICT?• Around 2% of UK pollution

comes from ICT, and approxanother 2% from the airline industry

Cost of storage• Data Centres

– Combine Software, hardware and facilities (mechanical and electrical)

– Usually require special environment – temperature and humidity controls

– Very expensive (estimated that 50% of Google’s cost are energy)

• Increased Program and data sizes mean more physical storage is required, and more information transmission

• All increases running costs

• Data Centres now being positioned to minimise running costs (e.g. in cold areas, in caves etc.)

• Adding a “do not print this” message creates a carbon footprint!

Disposing of computers• Our waste – their problem

Images courtesy of GreenPeace

Hardware Life Cycle• Businesses frequently

use a 3-year life cycle for computers

• Typical estimates for computers put 80% of cost at manufacture. But that is decreasing as energy costs more.

• Consider running costs as part of purchase decision

20

80

Overall system cost

More efficient hardware• Lower electricity consumption• Fewer components• Potential for repair and upgrade

• Or just don’t require that hardware…

Virtualisation of computers• Many computers are now much more

powerful than the use they are being made of

• We can utilise this by running lots of virtual computers on a single machine

• Companies such as SUN have used this to replace lots of servers – saving them money, and the world pollution

• Perhaps IBM were right – we may only need a few computers in the future to meet all our needs... Welcome to the cloud

Improve the efficiency of IT systems • use of virtualisation of servers• sharing of resources• moving from desktop solutions to

cloud computing

Simple actions can save a lot• Estimations by the Carbon Trust

show that failure to switch computers off over Christmas vacation

• Cost UK Business around £6.2million per day

• Caused the production and release of 550,000 tonnes of CO2

Solve other problems• the so called 2:98 question• rather than focus on reducing the

2% (typical) carbon footprint of IT• use that infrastructure to have

greater impact in reducing the other 98% carbon produced

Computers as a solution• e-learning offers ways to produce more

viable learning resources• to develop resources that can reduce the

need for travel • to support blended learning to reduce the

negative environmental impact of education

• improve its financial position• give a greater contribution to society (3

key aspects of sustainability). • However, the dependency of e-learning on

IT itself creates a environmental impact.

Sustainable eLearning Resources• Longevity of the resource i.e. how is

it described (e.g. XML, SCORM etc) • what technologies does it need to

use it (e.g. standard web, specific proprietary viewers etc);

• Accessibility of the resource  i.e. does it support the needs of a variety of learners (e.g. Xerte content)

Sustainable eLearning Resources• Availability –how is it made

available, and who can access it. E.g. published via Jorum, licensed via Creative commons

• Applicability – how useful is it in practice. There are many Open Educational Resources, but finding good ones can be a different matter…

Fair and just societies• Digital divide• Fair treatment• Data protection and access to

information• E-governance• Globalisation: the Internet – one

world view• The future...

The future• Developing conventions/formats for

sharing resources can enhance sustainable eLearning

• Developing common tools sets, along with a community of practice could be one way to deal with some of the above issues

• Through these we can produce a truly sustainable education