Dismantling the Status Quo “black box” of Technological Implementation in Science Classrooms and Re-envisioning Equitable, Transparent Pathways for the Future of Science-Technology Education Seminar

Event details

Dr. Waight’s research (a) examines classroom enactment of technological tools by documenting the full cycle from design to implementation in science classrooms, and (b) elucidates the theoretical underpinnings of the Nature of Technology; the factors, conditions, and agencies that impact and mediate enactment of technology in science education and STEM. This talk will focus on key qualitative (data sources: classroom observations, teacher and student interviews, artefact analysis, researcher notes) studies that have documented the nuances of enactment of technological tools in high school science (e.g., Genetics) classes. Given the findings, the talk will critique the myth of technological neutrality, schooling and technological progress, technological “fixes”, and the role of power and control and pose recommendations to make technologies more transparent, equitable, and socially just by highlighting the Nature of Technology and the Equitable, Social Justice Criticality framework. The talk will conclude by addressing pedagogical recommendations for science education and STEM more broadly.