Round two of our ECI 830 class debates was about technology making society more equitable. The groups did a really great job of presenting their cases and having quality discussions about technology’s societal impact.
The groups discussed that educational technology may in fact lead to a digital divide in society but also that technology may be the solution to the achievement gap between rich and poor students.
Here is a great video that was presented by the agree side for this debate:
Truthfully, I believe technology has the ability to bridge the gap, but I do not think it has, yet. I love these ECI83_ classes because there is an emphasis on quality information that is not necessarily scholarly. Open access to educational resources means that education is not solely held in the hands of the rich anymore. It creates a vacuum for misinformation, but critical thought and educating students on investigating their information goes a long way.
We saw during the pandemic that access to wifi and devices caused a large gap in under-privileged students’ learning. Simply offering students a device did not mean they would have access if wifi or data was not available to them. In a perfect world, if we could solve those connectivity issues, I think technology could create a more equitable society.
If we look at this topic from a global perspective, technology is not equal in all parts of the world. What we consider to be technology at home could be completely different than what other youths around the world consider technology advancements. If we gave every student in the world a tablet, it does not mean that they would be able to use it properly, have access to the internet, or enhance their education. This is a global question that is very difficult to answer, globally (if that makes sense).
This is a very complex discuss and I think the debate groups did a great job of breaking down and reconstructing their arguments in a way that was thought-provoking and authentic. Well done!
Let me know if you have any thoughts or criticisms! There is no one right answer, so I would love to hear your thoughts!
-Dalton
Dalton Danaher 
Well said, Dalton! Both sides of the debate did a great job by putting some great facts about technology usage in today’s world. However, there is no doubt that technology is bridging the gap which has been seen in, the past few years but still in many parts of the world there is inequality when it comes to proper education in terms of usage of technology. As I come from India, it still lacks training and improvement in skills of Digital Citizenship and Media literacies.
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Exactly! It is hard to even consider this debate if we are looking at a global scale, and still difficult when we look at this debate from a localized perspective as well! Thanks for the comment Gunpreesh!
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I completely agree Dalton, there is a teaching piece that needs to go with technology use to make it more equitable. I also think that technology can bridge the gap. The truth is that I don’t care if a student uses text to speech software, if they type it, if they write it on paper, or find some other way to represent their learning, I just want to see their understanding! It is a complex process which as you said, we just haven’t gotten to the solution yet to bridge the gap.
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Those assistive technologies are key! Comprehension and understanding are far more important than the means of communication! Thanks for the comment Leah!
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Dalton, I too agree that teaching needs to accompany technology use in order to make it more equitable. If used properly and effectively, technology can tighten existing gaps in learning and student output/achievement. I also like the idea that students who normally struggle in school can use assistive technologies for meaningful learning and to feel like they are in charge of their own learning. I think that there are so many factors at play that finding one solution to tighten the gaps isn’t realistic. There are many factors that widened the gap, and there are going to have to be many solutions to fill them once again.
Also, I think I referenced you a few times but I can’t seem to see a pingback on your blog. It is not a big deal at all, but I just wanted you to know that I made sure that people could find your site. 🙂
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Hmm. Weird! When I reference previous blog posts that I have written, I get a pingback email. Thanks for sending people my way and tagging me. Not sure if I have a setting wrong… Will have to go and check! Thanks for the comment 🙂
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My pingback toggle is on… so I am not sure why it won’t work for us! Strange…
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I agree wholeheartedly with your first line, “I believe technology has the ability to bridge the gap, but I do not think it has, yet.” This sums it all up for me – technology CAN but does NOT create equality or equity… yet! Ultimately, I believe that the ways in which technology is being held back from bridging that gap are more reflections on issues present in our modern society. Tech innately caters itself to the affluent or at least those in society who have the means. Those who are affluent, tend to be people who are already ahead in many ways, thus leaving disenfranchised and minority communities behind.
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Totally agree. If more classrooms could be provided with 1:1 devices, I think that would start to help bridge that gap. Equal access and equal playing field. We can’t control what happens at home, but using tech in the classroom NOW means that they will at least get some experience. Thanks for the comment, Amaya!
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