Digital Footprint: The Digital Textbook Trail
Context
Your successful software increases demand for student devices, raising your environmental footprint. Sustainable practices increase development costs and slow innovation.
Dilemma
Do you:
A) Prioritize rapid development and market expansion, or
B) Invest in sustainable practices, potentially limiting growth?
Summary
EdTech's growth increases energy use and e-waste. Smart classrooms and AI training consume significant power. Data centers pose a major environmental threat, but renewable energy and efficiency improvements offer hope. Device manufacturing and data transmission contribute heavily to the digital carbon footprint. Researchers advocate for transparency, life-cycle assessments, and sustainable practices. Solutions include energy-efficient devices, recycled materials, device sharing, and legal regulations.
Resources:
| Last modified: | 10 April 2025 4.09 p.m. |