Green Computing in Schools

I am putting together a panel to discuss trends in green computing for schools. Do you know of a school or district that has made an effort to reduce energy, reduce waste, or otherwise address green issues with regard to computing? What I've found so far are schools using green building techniques.

Thanks!
Karen

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hargadon on April 9, 2008 at 2:18pm

I am so glad you're pursuing this.

I will look for some resources, because I want to bring up an interesting area here. The evidence is substantial that the *re-use* of computer equipment is overwhelmingly resource-saving and efficient, just not politically or technologically attractive. The natural resources to build a computer are in excess of the weight of an automobile, and an extremely small amount of anything useful is recovered in any *recycling* effort. The financial motivations to sell a new computer and licenses have largely led us to a place where in thinking "green" we think buying new, energy-efficient machines.

In reality, were we to find a way to think out of the box created by the major manufacturers and operating system sellers, we have more than enough computers in this country to be providing substantial computing resources for any students who need them--and we could be helping the environment at the same time.

Steps down from soapbox...

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Permalink Reply by Karen Henke on April 9, 2008 at 2:24pm

Do I read thin client between the lines there?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hargadon on April 9, 2008 at 2:42pm

:) Not necessarily. Although thin client--both used and new--is a fascinating alternative for the same reasons.

What you're reading between the lines is Linux. In a variety of ways, thin client being one, or a distribution like Ubuntu for full-fledged machines, or something like LiveKiosk.com for "webstations."

There are some more complex issues than I fully spelled out (like climate control issues when you have 30 computers running in a classroom), but the point I wanted to make is that we often leave *re-use* out of the "green" discussions, not realizing how significantly computer re-use saves money and resources. And I think that we don't realize that is largely intentional (and understandable from a business perspective), based on the desire companies have to sell new computers and software licenses.

:)

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Permalink Reply by Larry Wilcox on June 10, 2009 at 9:44pm

There is also the computer sharing methodology. One that seems to be up and coming is Fiddlehead at www.myfiddlehead.com. They offer a 30 day trial after which you can return or pay. This is kind of a combination of Windows and Linux but on steroids.

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Permalink Reply by Jim D on July 18, 2009 at 6:44am

Wouldn't the ability to run all applications on green, low "need to replace" end point "thin client" devices be great? Problem has always been that the delivery system has prevented applications like video's from running very well. I see someone has been mentioning Fiddlehead. I am a huge advocate of this type of technology. It allows a school to use the excess CPU capacity of a normal PC and connect 4 sets of monitors, keyboards, and mice directly to the PC. You only replace one PC every cycle, not 4! Everything runs great and there is no need for a robust network or support system. It's just like a normal PC. Also, there is a cost calculator for schools for your discussion at www.myfiddlehead.com .

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Permalink Reply by Elana Leoni on October 14, 2009 at 12:16pm

Hi Karen,

I know of a couple of resources. Tim Grant, co-editor of Green Teacher Magazine, talks a bit about this. Tim, along with an assistant principal in Chicago, Tom Koulentes,who also co-sponsors a Green School Initiative at Highland Park High School in Highland Park, Illinois will be speaking during a webinar on October 29 at 4:00 p.m. PDT sponsored by Edutopia. They're free to attend for Edutopia members, otherwise it's $35 to become a member.

Cheers,
Elana

PS: Full Disclosure: I run Edutopia's Webinars but I truly think that our upcoming webinar may be able to answer your question.

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Permalink Reply by Karen Henke on October 15, 2009 at 10:22am

Hi Elana,

Thanks for the info. My panel was for a Webinar for CoSN on the topic in April 2008! You might want to reference the CoSN green computing web site: http://www.cosn.org/greencomputing/

Karen