Many readers of a certain age and academic level, would have read articles by the late David Jonassen about Computers as Mindtools where if my memory serves me right, computers are tools to think with. Dear reader, confession time, it is not something that I have done too often since my Masters. However, recently on a long drive, I was listening to some podcast episodes that I downloaded during COVID but neglected to listen to at the time. One of the episodes was from the Convivial Society (11:23 min if you want to listen). This episode really resonated with me so I replayed it again immediately for a relisten. It….made….me….think.
It is a list of questions concerning the use of technology but it is really a conversation starter on how we really think (or not) about our tech use. I have copied all the questions below as I felt leaving any of them out lessened the impact of the activity. Apologies in advance for that.
What sort of person will the use of this technology make of me?
What habits will the use of this technology instill?
How will the use of this technology affect my experience of time?
How will the use of this technology affect my experience of place?
How will the use of this technology affect how I relate to other people?
How will the use of this technology affect how I relate to the world around me?
What practices will the use of this technology cultivate?
What practices will the use of this technology displace?
What will the use of this technology encourage me to notice?
What will the use of this technology encourage me to ignore?
What was required of other human beings so that I might be able to use this technology?
What was required of other creatures so that I might be able to use this technology?
What was required of the earth so that I might be able to use this technology?
Does the use of this technology bring me joy?
Does the use of this technology arouse anxiety?
How does this technology empower me? At whose expense?
What feelings does the use of this technology generate in me toward others?
Can I imagine living without this technology? Why, or why not?
How does this technology encourage me to allocate my time?
Could the resources used to acquire and use this technology be better deployed?
Does this technology automate or outsource labor or responsibilities that are morally essential?
What desires does the use of this technology generate?
What desires does the use of this technology dissipate?
What possibilities for action does this technology present? Is it good that these actions are now possible?
What possibilities for action does this technology foreclose? Is it good that these actions are no longer possible?
How does the use of this technology shape my vision of a good life?
What limits does the use of this technology impose upon me?
What limits does my use of this technology impose upon others?
What does my use of this technology require of others who would (or must) interact with me?
What assumptions about the world does the use of this technology tacitly encourage?
What knowledge has the use of this technology disclosed to me about myself?
What knowledge has the use of this technology disclosed to me about others? Is it good to have this knowledge?
What are the potential harms to myself, others, or the world that might result from my use of this technology?
Upon what systems, technical or human, does my use of this technology depend? Are these systems just?
Does my use of this technology encourage me to view others as a means to an end?
Does using this technology require me to think more or less?
What would the world be like if everyone used this technology exactly as I use it?
What risks will my use of this technology entail for others? Have they consented?
Can the consequences of my use of this technology be undone? Can I live with those consequences?
Does my use of this technology make it easier to live as if I had no responsibilities toward my neighbor?
Can I be held responsible for the actions which this technology empowers? Would I feel better if I couldn’t?If I was teaching a student-teacher workshop, a TY ICT class, or even a 6th primary class about digital citizenship, I would give each student a question listed above about a technology or app that they use and ask them to think about the answer deeply. Most of the questions can be paired up so it could also be used as a paired activity. Let the discussion begin.