Lesson Element

Unit 2: Global information

LO4: Understand the legal and regulatory framework governing the storage and use of global information

Green IT

Instructions and answers for tutors

These instructions cover the learner activity section which can be found on page 4. This Lesson Element supports Cambridge Technicals Level 3 in IT.

When distributing the activity section to the learners either as a printed copy or as a Word file you will need to remove the tutor instructions section.

The activity

Learners will learn about Green IT and how it can be used to help the environment as well as provide benefits to organisations.

They will carry out research into Green IT.

Learners will also investigate three case studies, to find out how large organisations are making small changes to the way they use IT that can have clear benefits to the organisation, as well as helping to improve global sustainability.

Suggested timings

Activity 1: 15 minutes

Activity 2: 45 minutes

Activity 3: 1 hour

Version 1 3 © OCR 2016


Activity 1

Tutors could begin by outlining the global pressures on organisations to adopt Green IT practices in order to improve their sustainability and to reduce their carbon footprint.

Learners will need to carry out research, so that they are able to develop their understanding of the rational for Green IT:

· Why bother?

· What is the big idea?

· What are the challenges?

Tutors could suggest that learners search using the term ‘green information technology’ rather than ‘Green IT’, as it will return better results.

Activity 2

Tutors could begin by explaining the global pressures on organisations to adopt Green IT practices in order to improve their sustainability and to reduce their carbon footprint.

Learners could develop their understanding of the rationale for Green IT and the global benefits by carrying out research.

Global Action Plan: Green ICT Handbook – A guide to green ICT: https://www.liv.ac.uk/media/livacuk/sustainabilitynew/documents/Green-ICT-Handbook.pdf

Learners could develop their understanding by explaining the benefits of Green IT to organisations in a short report. Learners could use examples from the case studies on the John Lewis Partnership in their report.

Activity 3

Tutors could either provide a copy of the resource or ensure that learners have access to the Internet for this activity.

Global Action Plan: Green ICT Handbook – A guide to green ICT: https://www.liv.ac.uk/media/livacuk/sustainabilitynew/documents/Green-ICT-Handbook.pdf

Tutors should make sure that the learners focus on the correct case studies for this activity. However, the other case studies could be used as an extension activity if desired.

Firstly, learners could read the three case studies listed below:

· Case study on Automated Power Management (page 18)

· Case study on Device Consolidation (page 19)

· Case study on People Power (page 19)

Working in pairs, learners should make notes.

Next, learners could discuss what they have found out with their partner, and then they could write a summary of the purpose of the actions taken by the John Lewis Partnership in each case.

Learners, working individually, could also explain the benefits for the John Lewis Partnership and for global sustainability.

Tutors might want to hold a plenary discussion on this activity, in order to check and develop understanding of the benefits.

Version 1 3 © OCR 2016


Lesson Element

Unit 2: Global information

LO4: Understand the legal and regulatory framework governing the storage and use of global information

Learner Activity

Green IT

In this Lesson Element you will learn about Green IT and how it can be used to help the environment as well as providing benefits to organisations.

You will carry out research into Green IT.

You will also investigate three case studies, to find out how large organisations are making small changes to the way they use IT that can have clear benefits to the organisation, as well as helping to improve global sustainability.

Activity 1

Your tutor will outline the global pressures on organisations to adopt green information technology practices in order to improve their sustainability and to reduce their carbon footprint.

You should now carry out your own research into the reasons for implementing green information technology.

You should make notes on what you find out.

Once you have finished this activity you should know why Green IT is important globally.

Activity 2

You should now carry out more in-depth research to discover the global benefits of Green IT.

You should create a short report or presentation which covers the following:

· United Nations Climate Change Summits

· UK government policy (e.g. Greening Government: ICT Strategy (2011))

· Reducing carbon footprint

· Overall purpose of Green IT (e.g. sustainability)

· Overall benefits of Green IT (e.g. enhanced brand image, reduced energy costs).

You should write about Green IT in general terms, but you might want to use a few specific examples to help your descriptions and explanations.

These resources are a good starting point:

Greening Government: ICT Strategy: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/155098/greening-government-ict-strategy.pdf

United Nations and Climate Change: http://www.un.org/climatechange/

Activity 3

You will use some of the case studies in the ‘Green ICT Handbook – A guide to green ICT’ to find out more about how Green IT can provide benefits for holders of information.

Here are the three case studies that you will need:

· Case study on Automated Power Management (page 18)

· Case study on Device Consolidation (page 19)

· Case study on People Power (page 19)

Global Action Plan: Green ICT Handbook – A guide to green ICT: https://www.liv.ac.uk/media/livacuk/sustainabilitynew/documents/Green-ICT-Handbook.pdf

Firstly, you will need to read the three case studies and make notes; you might want to do this in pairs.

Next, discuss what you have found out with your partner, and then you should write a summary of the purpose of the actions taken by the John Lewis Partnership in each case.

You should also explain the benefits for the John Lewis Partnership and for global sustainability.

Version 1 6 © OCR 2016