Abstract
Blockchain technology, which is one of the powerful tools that can be used in the development of education systems, is among the technologies that are abstained from for environmentally friendly activities due to its high level of energy consumption and gas emissions. However, there is not enough data that blockchain technology harms the environment or consumes more energy than other technologies. It is thought that this technology, which is more flexible than many technologies and will strengthen education systems, can be used in the design of environmentally friendly learning environments. Based on this idea, the authors drew a general framework about eco-friendly learning, green technologies, and blockchain in the chapter and presented suggestions for the design of environmentally friendly learning environments in the context of use cases of blockchain technology in education.
TopEco-Friendly Learning And Green Schools
It can be said that the belief in the use of education as an effective tool is the basis of green or eco-friendly learning environments. Shaped on the principles of minimizing the harm environmental harm caused by human activities, increasing environmental awareness and integration with the environment, green and eco-friendly learning environments are high quality and sustainable learning ecosystems with high energy efficiency, where adverse environmental effects are minimized (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2010). Although the concepts of green, eco-friendly and sustainability are used interchangeably from time to time, it can be said that sustainability is a more comprehensive concept. The concepts of green, environmentally friendly, and sustainability are brought together on common ground in this book chapter. Activities carried out to create and maintain green living spaces by catching a harmonious and productive life rhythm with nature, and learning spaces designed to create this awareness are defined as “eco-friendly”.
Green or eco-friendly learning environments were piloted in Denmark after the Earth Summit held worldwide in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and was initiated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in 1994 with the support of the European Commission, then spread to 70 countries. This educational initiative, which started with the aim of environmental education, protecting and developing the environment under the leadership of young people, contributes to environmental awareness being an integral part of human life. Schools in this education initiative comply with many recommendations of international agreements, including the Kyoto Protocol United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC, 2016) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adopted in 1995 but ratified in 2005 (Li and Williams, 2006; Shakir, 2019). Eco-friendly regulations and training related to sustainable development are also carried out in educational institutions apart from these schools within the scope of ecological schools.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Sustainability: Being aware of the fact that the past and the present shape the future, it can achieve a harmonious and efficient life rhythm with nature.
Green ICT: Green ICT is about minimizing the negative environmental effects of Information and Communication Technologies and maximizing the positive effects.
Green Technology: Green tech is a comprehensive research area that aims to reduce the damage done directly or indirectly to the environment and to protect the environment.
Green Schools: Eco-friendly learning environments that support global sustainability.
Carbon Footprint: Carbon footprint is the trace of the damage caused by the life cycle to the environment, measured in units of carbon dioxide.
Blockchain Technology: Blockchain is a digital, decentralized, and distributed ledger technology that allows data to be recorded and shared securely.
Technology: The application of techniques, skills, methods, and processes to the aims of life or put into practical use to solve problems.
Digital Identity: An online or networked identity.