{"id":11309,"date":"2023-07-14T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/?p=11309"},"modified":"2023-07-19T09:20:43","modified_gmt":"2023-07-19T08:20:43","slug":"time-to-ask-some-critical-digital-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2023\/07\/time-to-ask-some-critical-digital-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Time to ask some critical (digital) questions?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"info\"> by Rosemarie McIlwhan<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you look through the ALT conference programme, you\u2019ll see as much discussion of<br>important social justice issues (equity, diversity and inclusion, decolonisation, widening<br>participation) as there is of technology (artificial intelligence, VLEs, social media). Running<br>through so many of these presentations is criticality \u2013 critical digital literacy, critical digital<br>pedagogy, and critical reflection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>But what do we mean by criticality and why is it important? It\u2019s important because if we\u2019re<br>not engaging critically, we are just accepting the status quo. For some people that might be<br>enough, a quiet life if you like? But for many (particularly in the ALT community) that\u2019s not<br>enough. We look around and see issues caused by climate change, by increasing inequalities<br>and rising discrimination against so many groups, and ask the age-old question \u2013 is this<br>really the world I want to live in, couldn\u2019t we make it better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>So what about criticality? Stommel (<a href=\"https:\/\/hybridpedagogy.org\/critical-digital-pedagogy-definition\/\">2014<\/a>) suggests several functions of \u2018critical\u2019 including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Critical, as in mission-critical, essential.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Critical, as in literary criticism and critique, providing definitions and interpretation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Critical, as in reflective and nuanced thinking about a subject.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Critical, as in criticizing institutional, corporate, or societal impediments to learning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Each of the themes of ALT2023 deal with essential issues for the 21 st century \u2013 leadership,<br>diversity and inclusion, sustainability and social justice, and emerging technologies and<br>behaviours. Many of the presentations provide a critique of these issues or reflections on<br>them. Such critique and reflections help us to learn from past actions and to understand and<br>develop new approaches for the future. Hopefully helping us to better address these issues<br>and enhance society.<br><br>This critique and reflection is particularly necessary and visible at present in the discussions<br>around generative artificial intelligence (AI). Questions are being asked about the<br>development of these tools \u2013 how ethical is the labour involved, how equitable is the<br>training of the AI model, how sustainable is the use of such tools, how do they impact on<br>social justice? These are important questions, as are the questions being asked about the<br>role and regulation of the big tech companies who have developed AI, particularly when it is<br>potentially such a life-changing development. As we discuss these questions in relation to<br>AI, perhaps we should also turn that critical lens to other big tech companies, their products<br>may feel ubiquitous, but we have power as a community to hold them to account too, to<br>encourage them to develop more sustainable, equitable and ethical practices. The need to<br>reflect critically about the design, development and use of learning technology feels more<br>urgent than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>What role does ALT conference play in all this? It gives us a chance to come together and<br>debate the issues of the day, to hear from people with lived experience and those without,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>to explore different perspectives and ideas. Perhaps even to hold some learning<br>technologies suppliers to account, or at least to ask them some critical questions such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How have you ensured that your product is accessible, that it is equally effective<br>regardless of gender and race?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What steps have you taken to minimise any negative impact on the environment or<br>human rights due to the development and use of your product?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do you ensure that your labour practices are equitable, legal and promote<br>human rights<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>At the ALT conference in 2018 <a href=\"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2018\/10\/reflections-on-alt-c-2018-learning-technology-through-the-lens-of-critical-pedagogy\/#gref\">Maren Deepwell<\/a> said:<\/p>\n<cite>\u201cOur practice is political, it\u2019s personal and active participation in any of these<br>initiatives makes a difference. It helps us articulate a narrative that isn\u2019t dominated<br>by advocacy alone and expands our personal learning networks beyond those we<br>already know and feel comfortable with, help burst the filter bubbles that surround<br>us.\u201d<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>So I encourage you to come to <a href=\"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/2023\/\">ALT 2023 Conference<\/a>, burst some bubbles and ask some<br>critical questions of each other, of the technology suppliers and of ourselves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As you look through the ALT conference programme, you\u2019ll see as much discussion ofimportant social justice issues (equity, diversity and inclusion, decolonisation, wideningparticipation) as there is of technology (artificial intelligence, VLEs, social media). Runningthrough so many of these presentations is criticality \u2013 critical digital literacy, critical digitalpedagogy, and critical reflection. But what do we mean [&hellip;]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11312,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1701,1496,1409],"tags":[1258,1702,1415,725],"class_list":["post-11309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-altc23","category-annual-conference","category-events","tag-altc-2","tag-altc23-2","tag-events-2","tag-altc"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/07\/thinking-vector-id516547349_0-1.jpg?fit=768%2C815&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11228,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2023\/06\/when-diversity-amp-inclusion-is-a-key-conference-theme-it-changes-the-whole-game\/","url_meta":{"origin":11309,"position":0},"title":"When Diversity &amp; Inclusion is a key conference theme, it changes the whole\u00a0game","author":"ALT","date":"23 June 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"This blog was originally posted on 15 June 2023 on Dr Teeroumanee Nadan\u2019s blog teeroumaneenadan.com In the recent years that I have got the time and opportunity to be more engaged in the Association for Learning Technology (ALT) conferences, my line of work has been categorised as \u201cwildcard\u201d or sometimes\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;altc23&quot;","block_context":{"text":"altc23","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/events\/altc23\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/06\/image-2.png?fit=660%2C599&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/06\/image-2.png?fit=660%2C599&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/06\/image-2.png?fit=660%2C599&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10950,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2023\/05\/altc23-an-update-from-our-co-chairs\/","url_meta":{"origin":11309,"position":1},"title":"ALTc23: an update from our Co-Chairs","author":"ALT","date":"12 May 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"September is starting to feel like it is just around the corner! Santanu and I are both really excited, and privileged to have been asked to Co-Chair the conference, and we are being supported by an excellent conference committee and, of course, the ALT staff, who work every year to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;altc23&quot;","block_context":{"text":"altc23","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/events\/altc23\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/05\/CB_ALT_030919_0009.jpg?fit=600%2C337&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/05\/CB_ALT_030919_0009.jpg?fit=600%2C337&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/05\/CB_ALT_030919_0009.jpg?fit=600%2C337&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11329,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2023\/07\/our-engagement-for-change-in-the-sector\/","url_meta":{"origin":11309,"position":2},"title":"Our engagement for change in the\u00a0sector","author":"ALT","date":"21 July 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"This blog was originally posted on 20 July 2023 on\u00a0Dr Teeroumanee Nadan\u2019s blog teeroumaneenadan.com How excited are you for\u00a0#altc23? Check out the\u00a0#altc23 registration,\u00a0#altc23 scholarship applications,\u00a0#altc23 programme, and\u00a0#altc23 website for more information. By now you must be aware that ALT & JISC both turn 30 this year. In all the celebratory\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;altc23&quot;","block_context":{"text":"altc23","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/events\/altc23\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/07\/our-engagement-for-change-1.png?fit=700%2C395&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/07\/our-engagement-for-change-1.png?fit=700%2C395&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/07\/our-engagement-for-change-1.png?fit=700%2C395&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/07\/our-engagement-for-change-1.png?fit=700%2C395&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11385,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2023\/08\/for-alts-30th-the-accessibility-sub-committee-brings-you\/","url_meta":{"origin":11309,"position":3},"title":"For ALT\u2019s 30th, the Accessibility Sub-Committee brings you \u2026","author":"ALT","date":"4 August 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Accessibility, under the banner of \u201cDiversity & Inclusion\u201d has been a key focus for the ALTc23 conference committee, leading to the creation of an accessibility sub-committee. In the sub-committee, we are fortunate to have a range of members who bring their specialisms into conversations and provide guidance on digital accessibility,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;altc23&quot;","block_context":{"text":"altc23","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/events\/altc23\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/08\/Accessibility-banner-2.jpg?fit=750%2C391&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/08\/Accessibility-banner-2.jpg?fit=750%2C391&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/08\/Accessibility-banner-2.jpg?fit=750%2C391&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/08\/Accessibility-banner-2.jpg?fit=750%2C391&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11169,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2023\/06\/becoming-more-accessible-by-design\/","url_meta":{"origin":11309,"position":4},"title":"Becoming (more) accessible by design","author":"ALT","date":"9 June 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"One of the hopes of the conference committee is to make ALT 2023 Conference the most accessible and inclusive conference to date, paving the way for similar initiatives in the future. We would like to think that ALT is an inclusive and accessible community, but there is always more which\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;altc23&quot;","block_context":{"text":"altc23","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/events\/altc23\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"ALTC23 Register Now","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/06\/ALTC3.jpg?fit=940%2C788&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/06\/ALTC3.jpg?fit=940%2C788&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/06\/ALTC3.jpg?fit=940%2C788&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/06\/ALTC3.jpg?fit=940%2C788&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11265,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2023\/06\/the-power-of-learning-technology-in-developing-the-much-sought-after-job-ready-skills\/","url_meta":{"origin":11309,"position":5},"title":"The Power of Learning Technology in developing the much sought-after job-ready skills","author":"ALT","date":"30 June 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The importance of learning technology (LT) is acknowledged by everyone, specifically during the pandemic. In fact, the lock downs during the global pandemic underlined this importance and perhaps challenged most educators with their ability to use technology. We all know that learning technology not only enhances the learning process but\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;altc23&quot;","block_context":{"text":"altc23","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/events\/altc23\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/06\/Wavy_Edu-04_Single-021.jpg?fit=988%2C988&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/06\/Wavy_Edu-04_Single-021.jpg?fit=988%2C988&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/06\/Wavy_Edu-04_Single-021.jpg?fit=988%2C988&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/06\/Wavy_Edu-04_Single-021.jpg?fit=988%2C988&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6CxU9-2Wp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11309"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11309\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11323,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11309\/revisions\/11323"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11312"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}