Diversity and Technology

Diversity and multiculturalism are sensitive issues that must receive special attention, whether or not it relates to a school setting or a workplace. Even as important as inclusion is in these areas, is the issue attached to new technology development. Reeves (1997) explains the importance of evaluating technologies and their cultural sensitivity. He further gives explicit examples of technology that is acceptable for American society but not for many other cultures. What are some of the aspects that one needs to consider when developing new technologies? In my opinion, it is important to stress the level of English proficiency of the audience for which the technology is being developed. The use of slang words should be eliminated and more proper English be employed. As a non-native English speaker, I did not learn slang words, but rather the proper way of expression, both written and spoken. Accessibility to the technology plays a central role when adopting it to curricula or the workplace. How accessible this technology is, has become a buzz word for researchers known as “digitally divide”. This digital divide describes the discrepancies in accessibility of computers and the internet due to certain social or cultural identifiers (Clark & Gorski, 2001). The number of people who physically have access to the internet or even a computer is much higher than it was about 10 years ago. However, Whites and Asian/Asian American have a higher rate of access to technology in school or their homes than African Americans and Hispanics (Gorski, 2002). Readiness to have training and supplement manuals of the technology available in other languages promotes inclusiveness.

Reeves (1997) further suggests that the development of new technology within cultures is not a one-size-fits-all design. Therefore, creating an environment that is conducive to learning and enhancing the culture's unique characteristics are intrinsic in making the technology relevant to its needs. Awareness of such characteristics will also enable an atmosphere of inclusion and respect. After all, isn’t time that we as (future) educational technologist take an initiative to create innovative technology that will benefit, not only the targeted culture, but also the dominant culture? When this happens we have then achieved a level of understanding and tolerance that goes beyond technology.

[References]
Clark, C. & Gorski, P. (2001). Multicultural education and the digital divide: Focus on race, language, socioeconomic class, sex, and disability. Multicultural Perspectives, 3(3),39-44

Gorski, P.C. (2002). Dismantling the digital divide: A multicultural education framework. Multicultural Education, 10(1), 29-30.

Reeves, T. (1997). An evaluator looks at cultural diversity. Educational Technology, 37(2), 27-31.