Tama’s eLearning Blog

[This is a guest post by Heather Johnson]

eLearning has been slowly gaining the recognition it deserves, thanks to the hard work of reputable instructors and students. However, it seems that mainstream media may be soon heralding distance education not for its convenience or academic advantages but because it is eco-friendly. Although extensive research has yet to be compiled on the subject, a UK study [PDF] from The Open University’s Design Innovation Group found that distance learning courses consume almost 90 percent less energy than traditional campus courses. The same study claims that online colleges produce 85 percent fewer CO2 emissions than standard campuses.

It seems that attending school online could greatly decrease everyone’s carbon footprint. Not only can distance education reduce the pollution caused by sprawling campuses, students can cut back on small supplies like paper, pens and notebooks. For that matter, many textbooks and classroom notes can simply be “dematerialized.” The green implications of eLearning trickles down into other areas, as well. With no physical campus to commute to, students will be using their vehicles less.

Environmental activists have long championed the benefits of telecommuting to work. Earning an online education, followed by a position that includes at least partial telecommuting could be a great boon to the environmental movement. Obviously, this isn’t a viable option for every person. However, those who can do their part by “dematerializing” school and work can make a sizable difference in the world.

Some naysayers feel that telecommuting could result in a feeling of isolation. Perhaps it is no coincidence that both telecommuting and online social networking sites are on the rise. In other words, people will find a way to connect, even if it isn’t always physically. With online enrollment on the rise, a more significant shift toward online learning could very well make a huge impact on the planet.

> This post was contributed by Heather Johnson, who is an industry critic on the subject of university reviews. She invites your feedback at heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.