Disposal+of+technology




 * ====**Description:** Within the last few decades, technology has gone from a privilege to a necessity. Billions of jobs and an equally immense number of people rely on the Internet and cellular devices such as phones or Ipods for their daily lives. Computers have become a way of life and there seems to be nothing stopping the digital takeover. The integration of such technology in the business world has lead to a massive increase in productivity. In regards to the educational system, many would like to see the "old" way of teaching remain; however the use of technology has become so vital to the education of students that there is no turning back. To the dismay of many outdated instructors, students no longer know how to write fluently in cursive or site sources in MLA, APA or any other format. There are websites now that site your sources for you. There are speech programs that take spoken word and write it down as text. With all this technology surrounding students in this fast paced life, with new phones or mp3 players coming out every few months, there is so little time to wonder; "What happens to my (phone, mp3, computer, game system) when I throw it away?" Though students have subjects to learn and curricula to follow, the proper disposal of the electronics they have come to rely on is a necessary and cardinal subject to ensure the environmental safety of the nation and the world. There are many different options for disposing of technology, including donating, selling, recycling, or throwing away your electronic devices. You should remove any data or personal information from your computers, laptops, or cell phones before disposing of them. Many technology devices are made up of harmful metals and toxins which should not be thrown away. These toxins can pollute waterways and soil, and the incineration of cell phones creates air pollution. The government is taking steps to safely dispose and recycle technology through government programs like “Plug-In To E-cycling.” You can also donate your old technology, everything from modems to copiers to those less fortunate.==== ||




 * < ====**What is the impact of this issue on K-12 schools, educators, and students?**====

Below are a few examples:

 * ====If a school is disposing of some of their outdated electronics they can donate them to a school that is in need of computers or other types of electronic equipment. Sadly, there are still some school districts that do not have computers for all of their students.====
 * ====Schools can do an electronics drive to help both raise awareness and help a cause. Students would bring in their old cell phones, calculators, computers, cameras (etc.) and the school will donate them to people who need them.====
 * ====Cell phones can also be donated to women’s shelters across America to help abused women to call during times of need.====
 * ====Cell phones can also be donated to soldiers overseas so they can contact their families.==== ||



**Integrating this topic into Daily Instruction:**
 * **Grades 1st-5th** || **Grades 5th-9th** || **Grades 9th-12th** ||
 * In science, students can learn about how the effects of not recycling technology negatively impacts the environment. Such as how harmful metals and toxins can affect the environment, which in turn affects them. Elementary school students can also create signs and posters about recycling to put up in their schools, neighborhoods, and communities. || Middle school students could host a grade competition to see which grade can bring in the most used cell phones to donate to less fortunate families. The teacher can explain ways to dispose of an old cell phone such as donating or recycling their used cell phones. Teachers and students can do cell phone drives and send their phones to National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This organization gives cell phone to women who are abused or under suspicion of being abused. In middle school science class, the teacher can discuss the environmental effects of not recycling computers, batteries, etc. Students may even be able to do a lab on pollution caused by electronic waste. || High school students may have laptops and should be well-informed about disposing of them. Teachers can incorporate lessons on ways they can recycle or donate their old laptops or cell phones when they get new ones. Teachers and students may also want to do a cell phone drive to help soldiers overseas which will allow the soldiers stay in contact with their families. ||

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[] This website provides information on how and why to recycle your used cell phones. [] This website provides the names of various technology recycling programs in your state. It gives you a brief overview of the program, where it is located, and the link to the program's websites. [] A recycling company that has been in existence for 30+ years. Excellent Information in regards to disposal of technology. [] This website provides facts about recycling and about how to clean your hard drive before you recycle your computer. [] This website provides teachers with lesson plans on how to teach proper disposal of E-Waste/ [] As Chuck and Vince said in the video this website is wonderful not only for people in Toronto but for our citizens to see how easy electronic recycling could be.
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