Philospohies of technology

Kanuka, H. (2008). Understanding e-learning technologies-in-practice through philosophies-in-practice.  In T. Anderson (Ed.), The theory and practice of online learning (2nd ed.) (pp.91-112).  Edmonton, Canada: AU Press Athabasca University.

This post looks at the philosophies of technology presented by Kanuka in this chapter in The Theory and Practice of Online Learning (2008).  A practitioner needs to become aware of their philosophical position, that is, what they believe in relation to the purpose and function of education and technology, as this provides the basis for how they use e-learning.  Education results in change. “The desired changes are based on what we believe should happen through education.  This, in turn, will be reflected in how we choose and use e-learning technologies.” (p.111)

In brief, the three philosophies of technology presented by Kanuka are:

Uses determinism: Technology is neutral, how we use it for learning is up to us.  This assumes complete control over technology and how it is used which ignores the social and political origins of technology and the predetermined functions and features of software (although arguably a person could choose not to use this technology)

Catch phrases:  I’m not on Facebook; I have the power.

Social determinism:  Social systems and cultural contexts affect and reflect technology.  This suggests that social structures and change inform and are informed by technological developments.
Catch phrases: The world needed Facebook and Facebook needs the world; What did we do before email?

Technological determinism: Technology determines how we use it and brings about social change.  It can be viewed negatively, as an instrument of social control and oppression, or more positively, as a mechanism for widespread communication, participation and education preventing capture by the elite.
Catch phrases: My iphone made me do it; the computer ate my homework/deleted my posts; I can’t have a thought without tweeting it first.

I believe that social determinism and technical determinism are both at work in the technological world.   To some extent the changes in society have informed the development of technology, for instance email was a logical extension of written communication and a desire for faster delivery and reply, just like postal and fax functions.  At other times, technology seems to be leading us by the nose and redefining our social structures and interactions.  For example, Facebook has redefined the concept of friends as a virtual group of people including life-long friends, family members, casual acquaintances, people never met in person and the occasional stalker - not to mention redefining what is considered appropriate sharing. 

When looking for teaching resources, I try to find sites which are freely accessible and able to be used for the purpose I need.  This could reinforce uses determinism, although now that I examine it more closely, I don't think technology is neutral, in that it encourages specific behaviours within society (like writing texts rather than calling someone or speaking face to face).  I think most of the time I see social determinism - the technology available reflects what the majority of society wants or needs, and often learners are interested in how to use this tecnology because they want to 'fit in'.

It feels like these philosophies relate to the degree of control over technology we believe ourselves (or learners) to have, both in terms of the technology available (do we design and create it or is it given to us by those in power/leadership) and how we might use it (how much flexibility is offered) - and whether we trust the authors/creators of teachnology.  The more marginalised a person (within a society), the less likely their needs, culture and beliefs are reflected within the majority of technology available (suggesting social determinism and control by the social majority, reinforcing marginalisation; or technical determinism, technology built to define and control the masses and monitor those on the fringe).  (At the same time, technology offers some individuals who are marginalised access to an international community (of the marginalised) and endless information if they choose to use it (reflecting uses determinism). )    
The more powerful a person, or the more culturally aligned an individual is with the majority in society, the more they might believe that technology is just a neutral tool (uses determinism) or a reflection of society (social determinism).  I suspect that at different times and in different contexts we feel more or less marginalised and this is likely to affect our beliefs about technology (another whole area of philosophical debate).