10. FAQ Technology & technological challenges
10.1. What does “appropriate technology” mean in relation to ARK?
Appropriate technology is technology that is socially, ecologically, and organizationally tailored to local needs.
ARK is developed as free open-source software, has a modular structure, and is designed to be used by communities, schools, and initiatives in a decentralized but networked way. It supports location-based learning, but is not the medium through which learning should take place.
We should not forget that modern learning science, which is ignored in the development of most educational technologies, teaches us that learning is optimal when it involves sustainable interpersonal relationships, emotional connections, embodiment, and dynamic interactive practical experiences. Based on the best knowledge about the dynamics of learning, educational technologies should bring people together rather than isolate them in front of screens. Technologies should help us personalize learning and enable universal access to information through useful, well-organized, and curated content. They should not be the center of attention or the main source of interaction and instruction.
10.2. What is Green Steps ARK from a technological perspective?
Green Steps ARK is a free and open-source (AGPL) web platform that connects digital commons with real-world commons. It combines mapping, learning management, gamification, and citizen science in a single system designed for schools, local authorities, and communities.
10.3. How does ARK differ from traditional school software (SIS)?
ARK does not replace student information systems (SIS), but complements them.
While SIS tools manage indoor school instruction (attendance, timetables, grades), ARK acts as an outdoor learning management system that organizes learning activities across projects and real-world locations and promotes awareness of systems.
10.4. How is ARK used by municipalities and cities?
For municipalities, ARK functions as Tree Inventory 2.0:
- Imports or supplements existing tree and nature inventories
- Makes data publicly accessible and mobile-friendly
- Enables citizen participation in mapping and management
- Adds educational, tourist, and playful layers
- Clusters data into learning routes and trails
10.5. What technologies are used?
- Web-based full-stack application
- Open-source architecture (AGPL)
- Mapping and integration of geodata
- Gamification and role-based user systems
- API-based data import (e.g., data sets from public authorities, biodiversity databases)
- Wiki-based documentation
- Modular architecture, prepared for federation
10.6. How does the ARK handle geodata and nature data?
Natural elements (trees, habitats, species, landmarks) are:
- created manually by users through observation
- imported from existing municipal or official data sets
- organized into commons, routes, zones, and bioregions
- enriched with metadata on education, culture, and ecology
10.7. What is meant by a “human-centered Internet of Nature”?
Instead of relying primarily on sensors and IoT devices, ARK emphasizes human observation, care, and learning as the primary source of data. People generate data by visiting, mapping, observing, and caring for nature, becoming active participants rather than passive consumers.
10.8. How does ARK support citizen participation?
- Open contributions to mapping and documentation
- Visible attribution of contributions
- Gamified value calculation for ecosystem services
- Moderator roles in the community (commons mentors, ecoregion mentors)
- Public access regardless of property boundaries
10.9. How does ARK support education technically?
- Seamless extension of indoor classrooms into the school/community environment
- Project-based and location-based learning processes
- Gamified visualization of progress
- Alternative performance assessment based on the growth of bioregional identity
- Integration into existing school structures without vendor lock-in
10.10. What are currently the most important technical challenges?
- User-friendliness and UX
- Simplification of training, role guidance, and navigation for new users.
- Stability and performance
- Reducing technical debt, improving test coverage and loading speed.
- Data import
- Standardize and simplify the import of heterogeneous public data sets.
- Accessibility
- Improving support for users with disabilities.
- Developer experience
- Better documentation, containerization, testing, and onboarding for contributors.
10.11. What is a major medium-term challenge for development?
Creating standard bioregional learning packages using biodiversity databases (e.g., GBIF) so that communities do not have to conduct years of local research to define their basic ecological knowledge.
The introduction of a pilot distributed value accounting (DVA) system that can be used and adapted at the community and commons level.
10.12. Is the ARK federated or decentralized?
Currently, the ARK runs as a single shared instance to build a networked learning network.
The architecture is prepared for federated operation in later phases to enable decentralized management and resilience.
10.13. How is data ownership handled?
- The software is being developed as digital commons.
- No proprietary ties
- Exploration of collective ownership models (e.g., cooperatives)
- Transparency and reusability through design
10.14. What is the long-term technological vision?
Establishment of a federated, social learning, participation, and qualification system that:
- Combines education, responsibility, and governance
- Is scalable from schools to neighborhoods to cities and bioregions
- Strengthens social capital through visible participation
- Anchors the digital infrastructure in the real ecosystem
[i] https://www.whatisemerging.com/opinions/covid-19-a-war-broke-out-in-heaven