E-Learning is Eco-Conscious

By Jason Hecker

Not only is e-learning a cost-effective and efficient way to upgrade your employment skills – it is also an eco-conscious way for individuals to reduce their carbon footprint.

A recent study by the Open University, "Towards Sustainable Higher Education: Environmental Impacts of Campus-Based and Distance Higher Education Systems," found that on average, the provision of distance learning courses consumed nearly 90% less energy and produced 85% fewer CO2 emissions per student than conventional campus-based university courses. The main savings were due to a reduction in the amount of student travel, economies of scale in the use of the campus site, and the elimination of much of the energy consumption of students' housing.

LearnItAnytime.com, a new, cutting-edge e-learning provider, has a website that offers a great opportunity to learn Microsoft Office and web and graphic design technologies. The site was built on the premise that video training can be taught in an environmentally-friendly way that provides the same quality as in-class training.

For one low price, subscribers get access to a library of self-paced training videos that they can stream at their own pace. In addition to the training videos, subscribers get free access to email support, printable courseware, and homework.

Products like LearnItAnytime are encouraging us all to add "redesign" and "redefine" to the well-known Reduce, Reuse and Recycle strategies. Be sure to consider e-learning options the next time you look to increase your employability skills.

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