Turn It Off - Computers, Projectors and Office Equipment
Description
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Technology in schools such as computers, monitors, projectors, Smart Boards, photocopiers, fax machines, and printers can use tremendous amounts of energy. This campaign helps to identify if the equipment is used efficiently, and ensure the power is shut down when not needed.
Time Required: 1 class period/week for 3-5 weeks
Language: English
Curriculum
Grade 5 Social Studies: Outcome RW5.1 Explain the importance of sustainable management of the environment to Canada’s future.
Grade 6 Physical Science: Outcome EL6.1 Assess personal, societal, economic and environmental impacts of electricity use in Saskatchewan and propose actions to reduce those impacts.
Grade 7 Social Studies: Outcome RW7.3 Assess the ecological stewardship of economies of Canada and the circumpolar and Pacific Rim Countries.
Grade 8 Health Education: Outcome USC8.6 Examine and assess the concept of sustainability from many perspectives, and develop an understanding of its implications for the well-being of self, others, and the environment.
Grade 9 Physical Science: Outcome CE9.4 Critique impacts of past, current, and possible future methods of small and large scale electrical energy production and distribution in Saskatchewan.
Learning Objectives
Technology in schools such as computers, monitors, projectors, Smart Boards, photocopiers, fax machines, and printers can use tremendous amounts of energy. This campaign helps to identify if the equipment is used efficiently, and ensure the power is shut down when not needed.
Teaching Process
Audit the technology in your school to find out if it is being used efficiently. As well as your own investigations, you may need to talk to the person who looks after the computers in your school, and to office staff. With this information you can decide whether a campaign to turn off unneeded computers and office equipment would be valuable for your school.
Teachers Notes
An audit is a test or assessment that provides necessary information for the action project/campaign.
Pre and post audits should be done to give you information about what needs to be done (pre), and if you have been successful (post).
Pre-Audit: A pre-test or assessment to give students information about whether the campaign is needed. Pre-audits establish a baseline to measure what success would mean. Audits can also give information about some of the barriers and benefits of a campaign, helping students plan what information to give during the project.
Education and Monitoring: While the campaign is going on, students may monitor how well the behaviours are changing and what still isn’t working. This monitoring may give information about what to do differently to achieve greater success.
Post-Audit: This measures if the campaign has not been successful, has met the goals, or surpassed them. Additional auditing done after a period of time can show if the behaviour is lasting or has been generalized to other similar behaviours.
Instructions for Students
Audit the technology in your school to find out if it is being used efficiently. As well as your own investigations, you may need to talk to the person who looks after the computers in your school, and to office staff. With this information you can decide whether a campaign to turn off unneeded computers and office equipment would be valuable for your school.
Assessment/Evaluation
Pre and post audits, and CO2 calculations provide authentic assessment of campaign results, and student learning.
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Administration:Edit Resource
Source:dcs@environmentalsociety.ca
Resource Type:Lesson Plan
Subject(s):Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physics, Environmental Science,
Topic:Energy Use and Conservation, Solutions, Taking Action,
Level:Intermediate / MiddleSecondary
Grade: 5 6 7 8 9