More and more highly reputable colleges offer free online courses for curious would-be students in all academic disciplines, not the least of which are in topics relevant to green and environmental topics. These online courses will give you a formal education on subjects that most people only have a passing knowledge about, including studies on ecology, animal behaviors, human influence on the environment, and so forth. These courses offer in-depth explanations of complex processes and ideas as explained in layman’s terms by some of the most prominent experts in their academic areas. And did I mention that these open courses are free? Yeah, I did, but it’s a fact that bears repeating.
Of the many courses available online in the field of green/environmental studies, here are three free options from some of the top universities in the nation.
Principles of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior
This course is taught by Professor Stephen C. Stearns at Yale College in the Spring semester of 2009. In this free online offering, you can stream video lectures and download notes about subjects including genetics, evolution, and climate. The venerable professor Stearns has a great handle on the subject material, offering easily understandable lectures on the densest topics pertaining to biology and nature in general. This course would be hugely helpful for someone who wants to learn the basics of biology across a wide spectrum of general topics. The course comes complete with copies of the exam offered in the course, so you get the full effect of experiencing the class as a college student. Try it out: it’s a Yale course, so you know it’s high quality!
The Environment of the Earth’s Surface
The next course comes from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and it involves an in depth look at the geographic structures, processes, and overall changes that affect the Earth. Taught by Professor John Southard, this undergraduate course can best be described as an entry level geology course on overdrive. Among other things, you’ll learn about the way that glaciers form in the ocean; you’ll be taught some little known facts about the Earth’s water supply; you’ll get a real grasp at the human impact on the geography of this fragile planet. The course material may seem a bit daunting, but it’ll prove a satisfying learning experience for people interested in how to preserve the Earth’s ecosystems.
Obesity Economics
The final course I’ve chosen comes from the Johns Hopkins School Bloomberg of Public Health and it discusses the problems of obesity that plague the US. I feel like this course has particular resonance with certain green initiatives, as there has been a real push to embrace greener food products (locally grown, organic produce and meat, etc.). This course, taught by Instructor Kevin Frick, addresses the complexities of obesity in this country head on. Among other issues addressed in the class, Mr. Frick discusses the health risks of obesity; the difficulties facing the average consumer who wants to avoid unhealthy foods; and the government role in curbing the rise in obese people. It’s a rewarding course that offers keen insight into a topic that’s rarely discussed with such substance. This is the perfect course for someone interested in nutrition, food science, or green dieting.
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This guest contribution was submitted by Samantha Gray, who specializes in writing about bachelor degree online. Questions and comments can be sent to: samanthagray024@gmail.com.
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May 7, 2012 15:34
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If you're a teenager, there's a pretty good chance that you grew up in a home that at least recycled. That's because over the past 20 years or so, the "go green" movement has become bigger than ever before. From recycling plastic to purchasing hybrid cards, people are becoming more actively aware of the fact that our planet needs our support.
So, if you're a college student, it makes perfect sense that you may want to know ways that you can take the eco-friendly movement a bit further by finding out methods that can keep you "green" while you're living on campus. Honestly, the list is pretty endless, but here are a few to get you motivated.
Be paper conscious. If there was a Top Five list of people who use the most paper, college students would undoubtedly be on it. From books and notebooks, tests and term papers, you definitely have a lot to write and type about. In the effort to not consume a lot of paper, here are some things that you can do: purchase used textbooks (or you can even rent them at sites like BookRenter.com or Chegg.com); buy recycled notebooks and paper (you can find them at Office Max, Staples and even Target); print on both sides of the paper and when it comes to faxes or things that need your e-signature, Google Drive and HelloFax have now merged. You can actually send 50 faxes a month per free through their service. Drive less. OK, if you live on a college campus, this is one that should be really simple to do. The less you drive, the less emissions there are in the air and that's ultimately good for everyone. If you don't live on campus, why not consider carpooling a couple of times per week or riding your bike or the bus? If you're still not sold, look at it this way: It's a great way to pocket some gas money and get a bit of exercise in the process (even if it is just walking to your bus stop).
Watch the water. Did you know that an average shower (of about 5-7 minutes) equals out to 15-25 gallons of water being used? So, in the water category, the first thing that you can do is take shorter ones and if you live off-campus, invest in a low-flow shower head. There are other steps that you can take as well that are water-related. How about getting a recycled water container rather than purchasing bottled water (think about all of the plastic that is being used!) and again, if you live off of the yard, putting a water filter on all of your faucets? Oh, and remember to do what our mothers taught us since we could reach the sink: Turn the water off when you're not actually using it (like while you're brushing your teeth, for instance).
Buy used. Being a college student means that you have to budget, probably more than you ever have before in your entire life. It also means that you'll be socializing more than you ever have too. You'll probably have more dates, more athletic events, not to even consider Homecoming. This means that there can be a real temptation to spend more time in the mall. Why not "go green" by going used, instead? Craigslist, eBay, yard sales and thrift stores may sell second-hand items, but they're also cheaper. The extra perk is that there's a huge chance that when you walk into a room, you won't see 10 other people with your same outfit on (used oftentimes is synonymous with one-of-a-kind!).
Conserve energy. It's late and you've been studying for you masters in social work online for hours. That's hours with the lights on, hours with your PC plugged in and hours of electricity being used. There are things that you can do to conserve all of that energy. Replace your light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones. Use your laptop instead of your desktop (desktops use about 60% more energy) and unplug whatever you're not directly using/needing at the time (including cell phone chargers). The earth will thank you for it and when you get to a place of paying your own electricity bill on a monthly basis, so will your wallet!
Educational and professional qualification go hand in hand when it comes to securing a job; if you aren’t a qualified individual with degrees in your pocket then your employment prospects are low, similarly an inadequate professional qualification can pose as a major barrier for your career given the fact that the world is undergoing a tumultuous employment scenario. Distance schooling has made it possible for students continue with academic as well as career interests at the same time. Unlike the conventional educational discipline, which solely relied on rigid practices and where student were hardly allowed the scope to continue with more than one activity to accomplish goals, online courses are advocates of academic flexibility.
The onset of information technology and advancements in the same has created ripples in the education system. Distance learning has warmly greeted the merge of education with communication and information technology, which are continuously undergoing betterment with each passing day. Web based education in advanced degree courses aim at resolving modern issues of employment and accomplishments with the help of digital media, namely the internet. Yes, you can now enroll in for advanced degrees through online learning.
The arrival of internet in the field of education
From computers, laptops, tablets to androids, connective is available in a host of devices making it easier to participate and attend the interactive classes over the internet. Yes, these are all internet supported devices and can land you in any place across the globe. Advanced degrees offered by online courses aim at educating students of existing subjects through training sessions. Moreover, professional students get an opportunity to avail training online. They can now gather information on latest subjects.
The internet is superior medium facilitating student-educator interactions. Pupils seeking advanced degrees over the internet are given the opportunity to interact with popular educationists through a common platform- the web. Students can well attain information with the click of the mouse. All of this made possible with the use of internet. Wow!! The new technology that gripped the world is now in our fist.
Working on advanced degrees through the web allows working students to continue achieving their professional goals. Internet based schooling trains you in different vocational fields. It also gives you the scope to analyze your improvements in a given subject. If you have thought that web based learning is not at all a golden opportunity for the student community then, you are wrong. Schooling over the internet has more potential than just connecting you to the world. There are software programs designed to cater multiple needs of the student who is relying on online learning. Classes held over the internet also include the use of audio and video to impart knowledge and make learning easy. This definitely contributes to the fact that net-based learning far easier and interactive than the conventional styles of education. On the other hand educators can access the easier and smarter knowledge imparting solutions. They are able to judge student’s core competence in an area and analyze their thought process better.
Author-Bio:
Lucia Smith has written several contents on advanced degrees, that have proven to be beneficial in imparting knowledge and information to the student community.
Raising our kids is an important responsibility that involves educating them, not only in school, but in life as well. This includes being ecologically responsible. They learn from watching the behavior of others, especially what they see demonstrated at home by parents and other family members. By involving our kids in green activities in a fun way, they learn about caring for our planet and building good habits that will stay with them throughout life. Just remember, a little creativity will go a long way!
Recycling - Make It Colorful
A simple way to teach kids how to be kind to the environment is to set up a home recycling system. This does not need to be elaborate, boring or expensive. Since most kids love bright colors, try setting up a colored bin system for different types of items. Something as simple as different color plastic bins will work just fine. Designate a different color for each type of item to be recycled, then let your kids be in charge of sorting. Small children love to help, so when we get them involved in recycling, they learn green habits. They also build self esteem through their efforts.
To encourage your kids to recycle, try setting up a reward system. One example would be to mark each day on the calendar that they successfully complete their assigned tasks. Once they have completed their tasks for a designated time period, provide them with a special reward, such as a favorite meal or an afternoon at the zoo. This will also teach them how to work toward a goal and successfully reach it.
Give New Life To Unwanted Items
To teach kids about conservation, and stretch your budget in the process, instead of throwing unwanted or broken items away, reuse them when possible.
If something breaks, before throwing it out, see if it can be repaired. If not, look for alternate uses for the item or its parts. Many household items can be reused in craft projects, decorating and gardening. A good example of giving new life to an unwanted item would be to use shards from a broken dinner plate to accent a flower garden. It may not be usable on the dinner table, but it can add a lovely splash of color to compliment those spring blooms! The key is creativity. Kids have endless imagination so get them involved and turn it into a family project.
Clothing that is beyond repair, or no longer wanted, can also find new life in many ways. Following are a few examples:
Cut worn clothing into strips to make throw rugs, or cut into unique shapes to make place mats and napkins. You can also design colorful wall hangings or any number of other creative projects to decorate your home. The only limit is your imagination.
For items that are no longer wanted but still usable, donate them to a thrift store or homeless shelter and help the less fortunate. This will teach your kids about charity and helping members of the community in a tangible way.
This philosophy goes for shopping as well! Instead of heading to the mall when you need a new outfit, start at the local thrift or consignment store. Many great bargains can be found at a fraction of retail. It is also an adventure because you never know what you will find. You might even discover designer clothing hanging on the rack for just a few dollars.
As the saying goes, one man's junk is another man's treasure.
Reduce Waste
Teaching our kids about conservation begins at home. Simple acts such as shutting off the light when leaving a room, or turning off the water while we brush our teeth, sets a good example and reduces the amount of natural resources we use. Applying this same philosophy when we shop will help to reduce what ends up in our landfills. When grocery shopping, look for products with the least amount of packaging. If you have the storage space, buy in bulk. This will save you money and reduce waste.
Get your kids involved. It is a safe bet that they will inspire you while you educate them, and will provide the entire family with a way to help keep our planet green.
Author Bio
Beck Harris Writes about moving with U-Pack while keeping it green!
Perhaps no area of the construction or real estate industries has received as much attention as sustainable and green construction methods. And rightly so. Amongst climate change politicking and rising fuel costs, sustainable construction materials and methods have become an essential industry-wide skill.
Unfortunately, the educational infrastructure to train a new generation of construction entrepreneurs and contractors in sustainable technology and business practices has not been on pace with the speed of technological change. New building materials, like more efficient concrete, and standard building practices are constantly evolving and it's helpful to be equipped with the knowledge and skill-set to thrive in this burgeoning sector of the construction industry.
To address this recent influx of sustainable technology and practices, many recognized construction and engineering programs at traditional institutions have developed new sustainable and green energy and construction curriculums.
Just a few years ago, only specialty schools offered sustainable courses in these fields. Today, top-ranked construction programs like Drexel University, Stanford University and the University of Florida offer sustainability and green construction degrees and certificates both on-campus and online.
The online construction and green energy is especially appealing for construction managers and professionals seeking experience and accreditation in this special field without giving up their day job.
Programs like Drexel’s online Certificate in Sustainability and Green Construction prepares construction managers and professionals to face the daunting task of providing a building environment in harmony with the natural environment. The curriculum focuses on the skills needed to meet the sustainable demands of the architectural, engineering, and construction community. All of these degree and certificate programs teach students the sustainable aspects of the construction process and explore the concepts outlined in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system in great detail.
The LEED certification provides building owners and operators with a framework that helps identify and implement green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions.(1)
Such initiatives developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and similar organizations have led the way in encouraging builders and owners to review more sustainable construction options.
Of course, it’s necessary to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to utilize the best sustainable practices, in addition to developing the plans to produce these new techniques. Certificate programs are a good way to begin investigating sustainable construction and learning the initial steps in implementing green construction plans. Some certificate programs are more in-depth than others, and there are now even Master’s degrees that allow students to concentrate on a particular specialty, such as sustainable and green construction.
The key to finding the right sustainable and green construction certificate depends on finding the right accreditation, curriculum and schedule to fit your professional and personal needs.
