GREEN Computing App and Mooc for awareness-raising on digital pollution
▶Summary
IMPORTANT NOTE: All the relevant documents from the project are available on the GreenCo online repository, which can be freely accessed through this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1...
▶Objectives
The GreenCo project aimed to educate young people about the environmental impact of digital technology. The project focused on raising awareness of digital pollution, providing tools for self-assessment, and equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed for the responsible use of technology. Firstly, the project sought to raise awareness of digital pollution and its environmental impact. Unlike more visible forms of pollution, such as air or water contamination, digital pollution is intangible and often goes unnoticed. The project aimed to highlight how everyday digital activities, such as streaming, data usage, and device production, contribute to global environmental problems. Secondly, GreenCo aimed to provide tools for self-assessment of digital pollution. This objective focused on encouraging young people to evaluate their own digital habits and understand the extent of their contribution to digital pollution. Lastly, the project aspired to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed for the responsible use of technology. This involved developing accessible and practical online training resources, including a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC).
▶Activities
PR1: Development of the GreenCo eBook. Compilation of information on green computing, organized around four key themes: energy consumption, e-waste recycling, green computing initiatives, and legislation. Production of an informative and accessible resource for diverse audiences, including students, educators, and the general public. PR2: Creation of the GreenCo App Mockup. Design of the app’s features, functions, and interface with a focus on gamification to engage young users. Serves as a blueprint for the app’s development, enabling refinement of the user experience. PR3: Development of the GreenCo App. Production of educational content, gamified system and self-assessment tools for evaluating digital habits and their environmental impacts. Designed to be user-friendly and accessible, with a particular focus on engaging audiences aged 15 to 29. PR4: Creation of MOOC. Design and implementation of online course to educate users on reducing digital pollution. Inclusion of practical actionable strategies for final users. Project management and communication. Regular virtual and in-person follow-up meetings.Dissemination Plan design and implementation. Digital campaigns. Website management.
▶Impact
Based on the activities listed above, the concrete outputs of the project are the following: - PR1: GreenCo eBook. The Invisible Threat: Digital Waste and Digital Pollution is an essential resource that raises awareness about digital pollution and promotes sustainable digital practices. Structured into four chapters, it covers energy consumption, e-waste recycling, sustainability initiatives, and environmental legislation. Accessible in the five project languages. Developed collaboratively with a strong focus on accessibility, it has achieved 664 downloads by November 2024, reflecting its impact and relevance. - PR2: GreenCo Mock-up App. Integrated into PR3 as it was a preliminary version of the final output. - PR3: GreenCo App. The GreenCo App is an interactive tool designed to educate and engage users aged 15 to 29 on digital pollution and sustainable digital habits. Through gamified features such as quizzes and environmental challenges, it provides practical tips on energy efficiency and e-waste management in an engaging format. The app is available in 5 languages, highly accessible, and responsive across devices. It adheres to EU accessibility standards, ensuring inclusivity for users with disabilities. - PR4: GreenCo MOOC. The MOOC is a multilingual and accessible online course designed to educate young individuals about digital pollution and sustainable practices. Hosted on the Caseine platform, it consists of six weeks of instruction covering topics like energy consumption, e-waste, and sustainability regulations. Each week includes practical challenges to encourage actionable learning. The course employs bite-sized learning, integrating videos, quizzes, infographics, and external resources to maintain engagement and reinforce understanding. Available in five languages.