According to Orly Lobel’s 2022 book, The Equality Machine: Harnessing Digital Technology for a Brighter, More Inclusive Future, our relationship with digital technology is complex. It can serve as both a servant and a master, offering opportunities while also raising concerns. Despite its risks, Lobel argues that digital technology must be leveraged to promote social welfare, including justice, inclusion, economic growth, innovation, and equity.
One of the areas where digital technology has had the most significant impact is education. In the realm of education, equalizing access and service quality are of utmost importance. Technology continues to advance and becomes increasingly relevant in achieving educational objectives when traditional methods reach their limits. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, technology enabled alternative learning methods when in-person schooling was halted. This allowed the majority of students to continue learning despite school closures.
Another critical issue in education is the continuous professional development of teachers. It is essential for educators to adapt to new pedagogical challenges and knowledge today’s students have access to vast amounts of information and diverse lifestyles. However, not all teachers have the same opportunities for professional development due to various reasons such as geographic distance or lack of resources. Scaling teacher training is a significant challenge given the large number of teachers needing training which requires innovative solutions that take into account these limitations.
Overall, Lobel emphasizes that digital technology has enormous potential in promoting equality and social welfare but it needs to be used carefully and strategically.
