Frequently asked questions about the Capstone Project

What is the Capstone project?
The Capstone project is an opportunity to apply your new Green Digital Skills knowledge to making a change in the real world. You can choose one of the following and build an improvement plan to minimise the digital carbon footprint:
– digital product (e.g. an existing website or app, digital device)
– digital service (e.g. email, online shopping, social media, digital marketing)
– digital process (e.g. virtual meetings, sharing files, data storage)
– raising awareness of green digital skills

What is the Capstone rubric?
The rubric is the project’s grading policy – it outlines the expectations of your Capstone project. To ensure your submission is acceptable, it must be a plan for change that meets the four criteria below: 

• Relevance: Project applies knowledge gained from the course.
• Impact: Project contributes to creating a more sustainable internet, reducing the digital carbon footprint, AND/OR raising awareness of green digital skills.
• Format: Project is presented using the Capstone template, a video, slide deck, or detailed article.
• Authenticity: The project does not raise concerns of plagiarism or feasibility.

Is there a template I can use?
Yes! There is a template in the course menu under ‘Capstone Resources’, just below Module 1. 

Do I have to use the template?
No. As it says in the rubric, you can submit your idea as a video, slide deck, or a detailed article you’ve written. Just ensure it includes the same information requested in the template.

Do I need to work for a company to make a change?
No! These Capstone projects are entirely personal to you, whether you work for a huge corporation, or you are currently studying, or you are self- or unemployed. The main aim is to apply knowledge gained from the course to the real world – no matter how small. 😊

Can I work with a partner?
Almost everyone will complete the Capstone project by themselves. But! If you know someone else in your cohort, or you’ve met someone through the course, you could work together on a project – we would love that! Just inform your facilitator.

Are there any examples of previous Capstone projects?
You can find our very own example here, and some previous learners’ examples here. We also have a couple of examples on our website, here.

Can you provide some links to external websites that can help?
Yes! Here are some resources (related to each elective) that can support you bringing your idea to life.

What is the ‘greenprint’?
The Capstone project was formerly also known as a ‘greenprint’ – a combination of the words green + blueprint. In 2024, we simply refer to it as the Capstone.

Do I need to implement the project before the end of the course?
No, the Capstone is a plan for change. You can specify what you will do and when you will do it in the template. We would just recommend pursuing a project that you can implement within a few days, weeks, or months.

Must my projected be related to the elective I complete(d)?
No, the project just has to meet the rubric above. 

I’m really stuck! What should I do?
If you are unable to attend the Weekly Workshops discussing the Capstone in more detail, you can check your Learner Homepage for resources from those sessions. You can also review the Capstone forum for ideas and message your facilitator via the forum or messenger. Otherwise, just focus on one digital solution you’ve learned from the course – a solution for reducing the digital carbon footprint. How will you implement this in your daily life and try to share this idea with those around you?

If you’re really stuck for ideas, try referring back to:
Module 1 – Foundations of Sustainability in Tech: Lesson 4 of 6 (What can we do?)
Module 2 – Green Digital Design Principles & Practices: Lesson 1 of 6 (Activity 2.1)
Module 2 – Green Digital Design Principles & Practices: Lesson 2 of 6 (Why design should be responsible)
Module 3 – Your Journey to Green & Greening Careers: Lesson 2 of 12 (How is your current profession impacting the environment?)
Module 3 – Your Journey to Green & Greening Careers: Lesson 6 of 12 (How tech can make a difference)

Why is my idea not acceptable?
We see many projects that aim to reduce the general carbon footprint. Although these are commendable, they do not reduce the DIGITAL carbon footprint. For example, ‘going paperless’ is simply digitalizing one’s processes, which actually adds to the digital carbon footprint. Sending an email with a 10 MB attachment to 20 people may in fact be more wasteful than printing that document 20 times. Green digital solutions are therefore those that reduce the environmental impact of digital products, services, or processes.