IDS 150 Module Six Journal Guidelines and Rubric 

Overview

In this course, we have learned that sustainability is a critical issue because of the impact of human activities on the environment and the need to ensure that the Earth’s resources are used in a responsible and sustainable manner. Considering your own consumption habits can be a valuable way to increase your sustainability practices.

Directions

In this journal assignment, you will reflect on your consumption habits and the role they play in sustainable development.

First, consider your consumption habits over two or three days. You may use the optional Consumption Tracker Template (located in Supporting Materials) to record your daily consumption. By tracking your consumption for a few days, you will be better prepared to describe your habits and explain your discoveries about them.

Then, use Video Note to record your responses to the prompts below. Video Note is recommended for this assignment, but you may optionally submit your journal as a written document. See specifications in the What to Submit section.

Specifically, you must address the following:

  1. Describe your consumption habits over two or three days.
    1. How much water, food, gas, electricity, and so forth did you consume each day, and how did you consume it? Use your best estimate when measuring your consumption.
    2. Did you consume more than you needed?
  2. Explain what you discovered about your consumption habits.
    1. Are your consumption habits better or worse than you may have expected? If so, how?
    2. Did you notice any trends in your consumption habits or waste habits? If so, what were they?
    3. How do your consumption habits relate to sustainable development as a whole?
  3. Describe some changes in your behavior that could reduce consumption or improve sustainability.
    1. What can you change now?
    2. What can you change over time?
    3. How can these changes reduce consumption or improve sustainability?
    4. What are the pros and cons of these changes? (For example, it would be more sustainable for trees if you used fewer paper towels, but your reduced usage of trees might not be enough to offset the water you consume and pollute to clean reusable towels.)

What to Submit

Submit your journal as a 2- to 3-minute video note. If you need assistance using the Video Note tool, please refer to the resources in the Start Here module. No sources are required.

Instead of using video note, you may optionally submit your journal as a 1- to 2-page Microsoft Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. No sources are required.

Supporting Materials

The following resources will support your work on this assignment:

Module Six Consumption Tracker Template

You may use this optional template to record your daily consumption. You do not need to submit the template.

Module Six Journal Assignment Rubric

Criteria Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (75%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Consumption Habits Describes personal consumption habits over two or three days Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include giving specific examples or details Does not attempt criterion 30
Discoveries th> Explains discoveries about personal consumption habits Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include giving specific examples or details Does not attempt criterion 30
Changes Describes changes in personal behavior that could reduce consumption or improve sustainability Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include giving specific examples or details Does not attempt criterion 30
Clear Communication Consistently and effectively communicates in an organized way to a specific audience   Shows progress towards proficiency, but communication is inconsistent or ineffective in a way that negatively impacts understanding   Shows no evidence of consistent, effective, or organized communication   10
Total: 100%