“E” is for “Ecology”: An Ecosystem Approach to Sustainable E-Learning

Abstract

A promising e-learning system needs to be sustainable; resources should not be damaged or depleted and must continue to serve. Sustainability is not limited to the efficient use of resources; it defines how systems would remain diverse and productive over time. The ecosystem concept, a nature model for sustainability, has been associated with e-learning in recent years. Definitions and models have been presented; however, provisions for permanence and sustainability have not been studied specifically. This chapter presents the results of a study aiming to define sustainable e-learning ecosystems by emphasizing a “no waste” motto. Contributors from different disciplines were asked to define an e-learning ecosystem and analyze waste with reference to sustainability principles. Results denoted some wastes to be inevitable, but provisions with reference to green design methodologies were found to be assistive for e-learning developers to reach the best “no waste” solutions.