For this week’s debate, we talked about technology and equity. I for one initially thought yes, of course, technology is a force for equity. Technology has taught many people about political issues and how we can move forward as a society, and it helps people connect to others and learn large amounts of new information. Technology can allow for students to find other resources to expand their knowledge. Most of my classmates didn’t agree, and I was ready to learn why.
Ryan debated that technology is a force for equity. Ryan pointed out that technology has helped people with disabilities significantly. The use of technology helps people with disabilities live more accessible lives. Also, with the use of technology, more people around the world are able to get better educations. With technology, young people are engaging in topics like economics, society, and politics. Because of this engagement, young people feel as though their voice can be heard. A famous example of this is the students from Stoneman Douglas High School, where there was a school shooting. Through the use of social media, they were able to organize rallies and have politics listen to their concerns about gun control in America.
Kaytlyn also had a very strong argument for why technology is not a force for equity. Today, with our growing use of technology, the use of the internet is a requirement, but having access to the internet is not available to everyone. As a result, many people are left behind, such as students who need that access. Many teachers rely on online resources to post lesson plans or submissions, but if a student is not able to access it because they have no internet access, they will fall behind. For many students, the only way they can get access to the internet is through cell phones, which is not an effective way to do their homework or needed research. Not only that, but school bans on cell phones make it even harder for those students to succeed in their classes.
As mentioned in the debate, there are great programs that allow students to use the internet, such as the EYES Program in Regina. While those programs may be amazing for students, the real problem here is that schools should be providing those necessities to students rather than outside resources. Also, many of the students who need those programs may not be able to get there for reasons like transportation, jobs, taking care of siblings–the list goes on.
At the end of the debate, we took another vote, and Kaytlyn took the win. I myself changed my stance on the topic as well. How can we say that it promotes equity when so many students are left behind? And while it is partially schools responsibility to ensure their students have access to technology so that they can succeed, it is society that should be held the most accountable. We have made it a requirement to have internet and live successful lives–shouldn’t there be an implementation of internet access at higher levels than just education systems? I think so.