Explore the digital future programme

Discover today’s techEducator guidance

Module overviewTechnology is ubiquitous in our lives everyday – it’s how we communicate, learn, and even frames how we think. This module explores the social impact of technology through a range of real-life case studies. Students also reflect on inherent bias in technology, and the implications this can have on inclusion, diversity and accessibility.

Key learning outcomes

Understand the role of technology in society

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of technology

Consider how technological innovation can be used for positive social impact

Evaluate social impact and bias in case studies

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The big question Tech for good Looking forward Supplementary learning

Section Activity Duration

StarterThe big question: Is technology inherently good or bad?Get students thinking differently with a quick discussion and class debate about how we use technology, and if it has a positive or negative impact on society.

10 minutes

Part oneTech for goodDiscover, research and evaluate projects that approach technology design with inclusivity, diversity and accessibility in mind, and the positive impact they have had.

40 minutes

Part two Looking forward Explore technology’s potential for our society, industries and environment when it’s created with diversity, inclusion and accessibility at its core. 10 minutes

The big question10 mins

Discuss Is technology inherently good or bad?

1Lesson slide Pose this question to the class and invite students to reflect individually before sharing their thoughts.

Discuss examples of technology that have been used for ‘good’ and ‘bad’ in the past, and whether it is more often used for one than the other.2Lesson slide

Watch the two films and ask students to make a note of the types of technology they see, and whether it is being shown in a positive or negative way.

What does technology enable us to do? What might the negative impacts of using or developing technology be? What might be the difference in impact if a creator sets out to solve a problem, compared to setting out to make a profit? They could think about cyber bullying or mis/disinformation, versus the ways technology can bring people with shared interests together and can get help to where it is needed most.

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The big question Tech for good Looking forward Supplementary learning

The big question

Diversify Bias in technology

3Lesson slide Introduce students to the idea of bias in technology by explaining that we often think of tech as inherently scientific, objective, and unbiased. But this is not necessarily true.

For example, in medicine, diagnostic machines may only be effective for detecting skin diseases on light skin tones, which could lead to misdiagnosis in people with darker skin tones. Ask students to suggest other examples they can think of.

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The big question Tech for good Looking forward Supplementary learning

Tech for good40 mins

Explore Research tech in the real world

Explain that when creators design new technology as solutions to everyday issues, they may only be considering the impact on what they want to achieve. This means they may not have thought about unintended consequences that occur through bias. Designing with inclusivity, diversity and accessibility in mind from the outset will maximise potential positive impact, and avoid unintended negative impacts.

In small groups, students should research and conduct an analysis of one of the technology case studies on the next page and create a short digital presentation for the class. They can use any research method they see suitable.

Encourage students to include:

• Description of the technology involved in the case study• Intended social impact• If developers own experiences have shaped the tech, and if so, how?• If inclusivity and accessibility have been considered when designing the tool, and if so, how?• Evaluation and areas for improvement

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The big question Tech for good Looking forward Supplementary learning

Tech for goodHealth

4Lesson slide

Project EmmaHaiyan Zhang & Project Emma. Haiyan Zhang is a designer, engineer and maker of things. An innovation and technology leader, she invents cutting-edge technology in support of people and communities in need and pushes the boundaries of how technology can be used to transform people’s lives for the better.

Halo-themed prosthetic armLimbitless Solutions is a non-profit organization that creates an affordable option for prosthetic-limb devices for children. Using rapid prototyping technologies – 3D printing specifically - prosthetic arms that are fully functional and capable of gripping objects and various gestures are created and fitted to children at a fraction of the cost compared to other prosthetics on the market.

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The big question Tech for good Looking forward Supplementary learning

Tech for goodHumanitarian issues

5Lesson slide

Missing Maps Each year, disasters around the world kill nearly 100,000 and affect or displace 200 million people. Many of the places where these disasters occur are literally ‘missing’ from any map and first responders lack the information to make valuable decisions regarding relief efforts. Missing Maps is an open, collaborative project that maps areas where humanitarian organisations are trying to meet the needs of vulnerable people.

Snakebot Search and RescueCarnegie Mellon University researchers deployed a snake-like robot to search for trapped survivors in a Mexico City apartment building that collapsed in the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that shook the city September 19.

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The big question Tech for good Looking forward Supplementary learning

Tech for goodEnvironmental issues

6Lesson slide

ICONICS A global automation software provider and nine-time Microsoft Partner of the Year, offers sustainability solutions that reduce energy costs, cut consumption, curtail carbon emissions, and significantly streamline facilities maintenance.

The Ocean CleanupThe Ocean Cleanup uses machine learning to identify plastic pollution in rivers and simulate how it moves in the ocean. These insights power passive cleanup systems to help remove plastic that impacts our ecosystems.

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The big question Tech for good Looking forward Supplementary learning

Looking forward10 mins

Reflect Technology and human potential

7Lesson slide Encourage students to reflect on the ways that technology can augment and amplify human potential. Developing tech solutions with diversity, inclusion and accessibility at the centre enables tech to change our future society, industries and the environment for the better. However, there are often unintended impacts or even harm caused by new technologies, like issues with privacy, spread of misinformation and environmental damage.

As a class, watch the following film introducing Haiyan, Innovation Director. 8Lesson slide

Haiyan shares her top tips for getting involved in designing and innovating the tech of the future. Ask students if they can come up with any more tips that would help ensure tech was developed with positive impacts.

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The big question Tech for good Looking forward Supplementary learning

Supplementary learning Microsoft have developed a Computer Science Curriculum Toolkit which features a wealth of relevant resources from across Microsoft and other subject specialist online hubs. Click on the images below to access activities that supplement the learning in this module.

Foundation

MakeCode Arcade course

Microsoft Digital Literacy Course: Privacy and Civility

Intermediate

Microsoft and responsible innovation

Guidelines for responsible AI

Advanced

GitHub Student Developer Pack

FATE: Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics in AI

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The big question Tech for good Looking forward Supplementary learning