The final debate….
I have to give a huge shoutout to Carol, my partner in our debate today, as I reached out to her beforehand not only in hopes that she would work with me BUT to help me sign up because I was at work when it opened (Go Riders!). We had just done a debate, in separate groups, in a Spring class, and I liked her style, I wanted the chance to work with her in case our paths don’t cross again, she is in CHINA after all! It was an interesting last debate of the semester, let’s walk through it a bit!
The opposition started strong with some research-backed points regarding possible solutions in both classrooms and overall sustainability to current inequities. Their opening statement also challenged our point regarding the digital divide. That same article offering possible solutions also discusses the usage of the term digital divide as not being the most fitting or appropriate in every scenario and instead suggests using “digital differences”. Both sides quickly realized after our opening statements and rebuttals that we were all looking through very different lenses when we looked at equitable society and technology and this formed a multitude of perspectives for the discussion.
Carol and I really wanted to make three main points very clear. First, that the digital divide is real, and it is not just a problem that Americans are facing. Although a lot of great examples and statistics were provided in the Without a Net documentary, there is an apparent divide in Canada as well. And if you continue to look deep enough, you will be sure to find in everywhere. Secondly, the idea that social media is creating a habitus within society that spreads inequalities through language, symbols, and more. Lastly, that access is one of the leading causes of inequalities in technology and is why we are not able to level the playing field for all.
I was pretty comfortable debating this side today because I felt strongly about the way in which we were arguing, but working with Carol and completing our research, I did learn more about the inequities technology is creating. I gained new perspectives that I am not sure I would have stumbled upon without getting the opportunity to do this as a team! One of the articles that I enjoyed the most was the Huff Post article, where Eamon Hoey, a telecom analyst stated, “I see young people today who will be without jobs if we continue down this course because we’re in a knowledge economy and knowledge transfer depends on high-speed networks and we do not have that in Canada — at least not in rural areas.”
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What a great two weeks of debating, teams! I am looking forward to viewing everyone’s summaries of their learning experiences next week. Until then, take care y’all!
10 thoughts on “The final debate….”
Great post! It’s awesome that you and Carol were able to team up despite the distance.
The opposition’s points on possible solutions for classroom and sustainability inequities were strong, especially their take on the “digital differences” concept. It’s fascinating how both sides ended up viewing equitable society and technology through such different lenses, adding depth to the discussion.
Carol and your three main points about the digital divide, social media’s role in spreading inequalities, and access being a significant cause of technological inequalities were very compelling. It’s a crucial reminder that these issues are global, not just confined to one country.
Thanks for the lively debate!
Thanks, Mariah, there are just so many ways this debate could have been looked at or discussed but to fit it all into a 60-minute debate including both sides is no easy feat as I am sure you understand!
Great post, Ashlyn! You and Carol did an excellent job presenting your points and arguing your side of the debate. This was definitely a topic on which I thought I knew the factors when we pre-voted, but as the conversation progressed, I came to see that there is much more to consider in this discussion!
I think the urban/rural divide in Canada often gets overlooked as a barrier to access to technology. Even within an urban setting, inner-city and suburban schools will have very different experiences. I have friends who teach in city schools and have good connections, but their schools can’t afford 1:1 devices. In my rural school, we are fortunate to have 1:1 devices from grades 3-7; however, we have to be careful about how many devices are on the network at the same time. We’re also reaching the point where several of our devices are getting too old and can’t be repaired, and we can’t afford to replace them. So it’s hard to say how much longer we can maintain 1:1 in our school, and it’s hard to ask parents to put forward the money for them when we know some of our families are struggling to put food on the table.
I agree with you, Amy. Carol and I had to start by narrowing down just a few main points or we would have run out of time. This was difficult as there truly are just so many ways to discuss the issue.
Thanks for sharing your experience as well. The outdated and irreplaceable technology is also such a problem that we did not even get time to bring it up in discussion!
Once again, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts!
I shall pass along my appreciations as well! It was such a relief to have a familiar face and to have you reach out to me. It was an absolute pleasure to work and debate with you. It is always to refreshing to have a partner who is such a hard worker, flexible, and skilled. I hope we can cross paths again in the future. If not, my doors are open in China. I’ve got extra beds and two great translators in my house haha! Looking forward to watching your summary of learning!
Couldn’t agree more Carol! If I ever get the itch to take a BIG trip, I will let you know! LOL
Hi Ashlyn! I enjoyed reading your post. I think you and Carol did a great job at the debate this week. I found it very interesting/eye opening to learn and reflect this week about how technology further the inequities many face. I think it is so important when using any technology in regards to education, that we keep this in mind and try our best to not create more inequities for our students.
You are so right Stacey!!
Hi Ashlyn! The quote you used really struck me: “I see young people today who will be without jobs if we continue down this course because we’re in a knowledge economy and knowledge transfer depends on high-speed networks and we do not have that in Canada — at least not in rural areas.” We really are operating in a knowledge economy – we see that with the push for everyone to attend university and even have multiple degrees for positions that previously would not have required them (or the position itself didn’t exist). I think that it is so resonating because it is so concise. Students cannot operate efficiently in society if they are not technologically literate. They need, at minimum, basic technology skills that they can apply to pretty much anything in order to function with ease in Western society. This also makes me think of a Westernized understanding of knowledge, and that (somewhere in a book I read eons ago) Westernized cultures’ understanding of “knowledge” is much different than non-Westernized understandings. How we explore, gather knowledge (and what that knowledge looks like), and deem knowledge to be factual and truthful is context-dependent on the societies we grow up in. This idea can be applied now as well to the technology era of knowledge as well – our understandings of what education and learning looks like will continue to shift as we continue to grow and expand our cultures and communities.
You make a great point Savannah! Knowledge and our understanding of it is definitely contextual and looks different everywhere!