What is the course schedule of the GDS Certificate Program?

UpdatedJanuary 9, 2024

Learners have 5 weeks to complete the Green Digital Skills course. We estimate that learners will need to invest 18-25 hours over those 5 weeks. This equates to 4-5 hours per week.

The core learning consists of 3 modules and 1 elective (to be chosen from 4 options). At the end of the course, learners are required to submit a capstone project, which is an individual piece of work based on the learning outcomes.

Module 01: Foundations of Sustainability in Tech. Estimated completion time: 1.5 hours
Module 02: Green Digital Design Principles & Practices. Estimated completion time: 1.25 hours
Module 03: Your Journey to Green & Greening Careers. Estimated completion time: 1.5 hours
Electives: Green Digital Designer, Elective – Green Digital Marketing, Green Digital Infrastructure, Elective – Carbon Accounting & AI. Estimated completion time per elective: 6 hours
Capstone Project. Estimated completion time: 3-6 hours

In addition to these obligatory elements, learners will be required to complete pre- and post-learning surveys to enable us to evaluate the effectiveness of the course.

Here is what you can expect each week. But remember, this is a self-paced course and you can work at your own pace.

Week 01

Participate in the Orientation session
Complete Module 01

Orientation session

Duration: 1 hour

During the first week of the course, learners are strongly recommended to attend one of the live orientation sessions where the course facilitators introduce the course and what to expect during the 5 weeks. To provide learners with flexibility, there will be 2 identical sessions to attend (no need to attend both as they are the same). However, if it is not possible to attend either session, there will be a short pre-recorded orientation session available on the learning platform.
To find the details of the session you will need to check your Learner Homepage.

Module 01: Foundations of Sustainability in Tech

Estimated completion time: 1.5 hours

This first module will give you a better sense of the importance of green technology and an introduction to the terminology that will be used throughout the course. Once you have completed the requirements below, you will have access to our community group on LinkedIn. The GDS group is a great place to expand your professional network, find out about relevant events, and engage with like-minded people from around the world, even after the course is over!

To complete this module, you’ll need to

Review the material in ‘Module 1 – Foundations of Sustainability in Tech’ learning element and complete the related activities.
Pass the Module 1 quiz.

Week 02

Participate in the Weekly Workshop
Complete Module 02: Green Digital Design Principles & Practices

Weekly workshops

Duration: 1 hour

Topics covered: Module 1 recap, Capstone project: expectations and ideas

The Weekly Workshops aim to bring your learning to life. Led by your facilitator across four sessions, you will have the chance to ideate, plan, and showcase your Capstone project with other learners. The first session will outline the project’s aims and provide potential ideas for you to consider. To find event details of the session you will need to check your Learner Homepage.

Module 02: Green Digital Design Principles & Practices

Estimated completion time: 1.25 hours

In this module, you’ll learn about the basics of green digital design and why it’s so important when we think about creating more sustainable digital services and tools.

To complete this module, you’ll need to:

Go through the content in the Learning Element ‘Module 2 – Green Digital Design Principles & Practices’ and complete the related activities.
Pass the Module 2 quiz.

Week 03

Participate in the weekly workshop
Complete Module 03: Your Journey to Green & Greening Careers

Weekly workshops, Duration: 1 hour

Topics covered: Capstone project planning

The Weekly Workshops aim to bring your learning to life. Led by your facilitator across four sessions, you will have the chance to ideate, plan, and showcase your Capstone project with other learners. The second session will discuss planning strategies and provide time to complete the first section of the Capstone template, which guides learners in completing the project. To find event details of the session you will need to check your Learner Homepage.

Module 03: Your Journey to Green & Greening Careers, Estimated completion time: 1.5 hours

In this module, you’ll learn about how your new skills make you eligible for green and greening careers.

To complete this module, you’ll need to:

Go through the content in the Learning Element “Module 2 – Green Digital Design Principles & Practices” and complete the related activities.
Pass the Module 2 quiz.

Week 04

Participate in the weekly workshop
Begin one of the 4 elective modules

Weekly workshop, Duration: 1 hour

Topics covered: Capstone project implementation

The Weekly Workshops aim to bring your learning to life. Led by your facilitator across four sessions, you will have the chance to ideate, plan, and showcase your Capstone project with other learners. The third session aims to identify pitfalls and obstacles in the implementation stage of your project, whilst providing more time to complete the Capstone template. To find event details of the session you will need to check your Learner Homepage.

Green Digital Designer: estimated completion time – 6 hours

In this elective, you’ll learn more about the value of eco-conscious digital design, and specific strategies to make products and services more green. Consider posting in the associated activity forums, and check out the additional resources at the end of the module.

Green Digital Marketing: estimated completion time: 6 hours

In this elective, you’ll learn about ways to make digital marketing campaigns more sustainable.

Green Digital Infrastructure: estimated completion time: 6 hours

In this elective, you’ll learn more about how shifts toward sustainable digital infrastructure can make a massive impact

Carbon Accounting & AI: Estimated completion time: 6 hours

In this elective, you’ll learn more about innovations (especially those that utilize AI) that help businesses achieve their sustainability goals. Consider posting in the associated activity forums!

To complete this elective, you’ll need to:

Go through the content in the Learning Element
Receive a passing grade on the Elective Assessment.

You only need to complete one elective to receive a certificate. But you are welcome to do more than one.

Week 05

Participate in the weekly workshop
Complete one of the 4 elective modules
Finalize and submit your Capstone project

Weekly workshops, Duration: 1 hour
Topics covered: Capstone project showcase

The final weekly workshop is an opportunity to share. Time will be provided for learners to showcase their Capstone ideas and allow for feedback from the facilitator and other learners. To find event details of the session you will need to check your Learner Homepage.

During week 5, you will need to complete your capstone project and submit the post-learning survey.

Capstone project, Estimated completion time: 3-6 hours
Post-learning survey: Estimated completion time: 5 minutes