The West Midlands Region is committed to improving environmental awareness and Bournville College, through its use of virtual learning endorses the promotion of Birmingham’s Local Agenda 21 – Living Today with Tomorrow in Mind.

The use of virtual teaching and learning provides affirmative action in respect of energy consumption through the procurement of more energy efficient equipment.  It contributes to producing more efficient transportation activities through multi-centred project delivery using internet access.  This removes the need for people to travel to and from training centres and, so , addresses the key features of the Government’s New Deal for Transport initiatives.

Virtual learning also supports the purchase of more recyclable materials by removing the need to photocopy and produce reams of paperwork as all materials are available on the internet.   College staff  and students are encouraged to purchase more recyclable materials and to ensure that full life use of materials is adopted.

Using the internet to teach and learn helps to reduce the impacts of pollution and achieves operational savings by offering an ‘anytime, anyplace’ system of learning without incurring costs of travel and the costs of keeping a premises open for a 24 hour, 7 day a week  timespan.  This timespan is available to staff and students through the medium of virtual teaching and learning.

By focusing upon these key areas, Bournville College continues its commitment to environmental sustainability and its support of reducing the adverse effects of pollution upon the local community.

M.P. Dilloway