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Diversity and #EdTech: Two Book Suggestions #WomenEd Tech

Monday, 23 January 2023

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By Bukky Yusuf @rondelle10_b LinkedIn

When it comes to certain aspects of #EdTech (learning platform upgrades, immersive learning tools, AI and machine based learning), changes can happen so rapidly. Yet, consistent 'thorny issues' remain relatively unchanged.

'The Missing Voices in EdTech: Bringing Diversity Into EdTech' by Rafranz Davis is one book that I read on a regular basis. It's a short yet powerful read.

The author doesn't just talk about diversity in terms of gender, but also BAME / Global Majority representation. She talks about how it's important to be role models for our students, having diversity at the forefront of key priorities and actually looking at how this can influence the technological world. The author also explores what could be done to prevent the 'leaky pipe' effect – where more women may enter #EdTech roles but are lost along the way due to changes in life circumstances, hostile work environments or lack of career progression opportunities. As #EdTech has its roots firmly within the worlds of Education and Technology, Rafranz helps to remind us that we always need to effectively include the voices (insights and feedback) of classroom based practitioners when it comes to #EdTech decision making, implementation and evaluation.

This book is packed with vignettes, end of chapter reflections and agency!

It provides a key starting point for anyone looking to understand reasons for the continued lack of diversity within #EdTech and ways in which it can be addressed. Maybe then, we can provide opportunities for more diverse voices to be heard within the #EdTech ecosystem.

After I watched the movie Hidden Figures, it got me thinking about the technological advances within the US and how women contributed to it. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that this highlighted the fact that my #EdTech inspirations, at the time, were influenced a lot by what was happening across the pond.

So I was genuinely shocked to hear that at one point in history, not only was Britain leading in the technological developments at the time but women were extensively involved.

This is why Marie Hick's book 'Programmed Inequality – How Britain Discarded Women Technologists and Lost Its Edge in Computing' was a real eye opener for me.

This book provides the historical context to explain how we came to have the #EdTech workforce demographics we currently have.

Her book helped me to recognise the level of challenges in getting more women into technology. While it's a start, it's not enough to have more women in #EdTech leadership roles. Marie's book lays out the role that societal expectations have. This plays a pivotal part in determining who can be seen to be doing which specific roles. In short, the persona and values that represent expert, cutting edge, leadership in the fields of technology.

It's a fascinating and sobering book that I think should be essential reading.

Which #EdTech / tech books on #Diversity would you suggest for others to read?

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