Telepresence
Articles/Websites
Grades9, 10, 11, 12, APSocial Studies, Earth and Space Sciences
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Project Drawdown
What it is
- This resource is currently being revised by Project Drawdown but you can still research many of the other solutions in detail on their new Drawdown Explorer page.
- This article explores the importance of teleconferencing and its direct correlation to reducing climate change emissions.
- It details that instead of flying or traveling to business destinations for meetings or regular work, companies can encourage employees to telecommute, thus reducing emissions.
- The projected data is analyzed to provide evidence for a cost-efficient climate solution for organizations.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The information is presented in a scientific paper format, with a clear cause-and-effect framework.
- This article is useful for any discussion related to transportation emissions and climate change, especially regarding the environmental impact of business air travel.
Additional Prerequisites
- Vocabulary is rigorous, so a definition list would be appropriate.
- Students should have a basic understanding of telecommuting.
Differentiation
- To introduce this article, teachers can engage classes in a discussion about the personal and professional benefits of telecommuting.
- For small-group instruction, students can work together on taking notes on each section and then discussing each section together.
- Probability and statistics connections can be made in Math classes, as there are a number of data points to evaluate about costs, benefits over time, and emissions reductions.
- This article can supplement a science lesson regarding human impacts on the environment and health classes could discuss the co-benefit mentioned in the article of less time spent commuting.
- Students in English or language arts classes can use the article to evaluate author's purpose, scientific writing styles, or as practice for reading larger scientific papers.
- Connections can be made in social studies classes as students discuss the effects of telecommuting on both individuals and professional organizations.
From the scientist review
This resource introduces a solution to reducing emissions by using software and hardware technologies that a lot of students have become familiar with, in addition to furthering the abilities of virtual reality and augmented reality. A brief introduction of reducing emissions by reducing business-related trips with the ability to join meetings digitally. A methodology, scenarios, and models are provided, along with a results and discussion section concerning the feasibility of using new technologies to reduce emissions. The resource would be a great addition to a lesson discussing alternative methods to reducing carbon emissions. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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