Presentation on interrogating values embedding in technology and how a library WiFi hotspot loan program is an example technology that empowers users and promotes agency. Presented at the 2018 Higher Education Diversity Summit in Denver, CO.
2. Alternative title:
Why technical infrastructure is a
manifestation of social and institutional
values obfuscated by the lie of
neutrality and what to do about it.
3. Working assumptions
• Technology isn’t neutral
• Technology replicates and
reinforces existing power structures
• The ‘Digital Divide’ isn’t an
accident, it was designed
5. Some of our students are experiencing one or more
of the following:
• Housing insecurity
• Homelessness
• Food insecurity
• Poverty
Many of our students
• Work full or part time jobs
• Have children
• Are First Generation college students
• English as a Second Language
Almost all our students live off campus
8. WiFi Hotspot Loan Program
• Library pays all monthly service
fees
• Manages
• Purchasing/replacements
• Circulation
• Cataloging
• Vendor communication
9. WiFi Hotspot Loan Program
• Check out time: 2 weeks
• Take them anywhere in the US
• Private
• Free
10. Technology should be to further a
person’s agency, but we forget this
because we’re so used to being
commodified.