Political Ideas behind Digitalisation

Different societies and entities have developed governance models and structures based on different worldviews and ideas. This method introduces some of these ideas and initiates an exchange about the internet and ideology.

Goals

Reasoning about the political dimension behind technology and the bigger technology policy picture
Critical thinking about the pros and cons of European digital policy strategies
Improving critical reading

Initial Remarks

This method requires a certain level of reading and analytical competence. Therefore, we recommend it for groups of young learners aged 15 and over, as well as groups of educators and youth workers.

Steps

Preparation

Print out the handouts per participant (or with sources under the quotation or version without)

Introduction

This is about the big picture behind individual digital policy decisions. In other words, it's about the strategic questions of where digitalization should lead. The more strategic the issue, the more difficult the language becomes to understand. When read and heard critically, many positively connoted words often mean something different than what one might think at first glance. So we need to take a closer look. We look at these quotes from the perspective of citizens in a democracy. They give us information about where the internet can lead, whom it should serve, and who should organize it.

Because these texts are not easy, we start with a detailed check.

Quotes

The sheet with the quotes (the version without sources) is handed out or projected: handout

Learners read through them and any questions of understanding can be clarified.
Participants also try to match the authors to the quotations (overview in the centre).
If the number of quotes or the type of text threatens to overwhelm the participants, moderators can divide participants in smaller groups, cut up the template, lay out the quotes on the table (one set for each group) and ask participants to choose one to three to focus for the following smaller group work. The other quotes would be left aside and give them an overview of the other ideas available.

Afterwards, the template with the authors' names included is presented.

Variation

Facilitators can select some quotes they would like to let the group discuss.

Reflection

Where are the similarities and differences? Formally (text type, language, etc.) In terms of content
Why do people say this? What would you say if you would be a democrat/an autocrat?
What dilemmas do they face? How do they mitigate their dilemmas?
Today's strategies are for tomorrow's generations – what is the youth perspective?
What are the requirements for democratic digitalisation? How can what has been said be classified from the perspective of democracy, cooperation, and human rights?
Where have you encountered something similar recently? What was it about? How was the project “sold,” i.e., how was support solicited?

Handbook: More than Go with the Flow

A handbook on Digital Citizenship Education, created in the frame of the project DIYW-ROAD/Competendo. Digital Youth Work - rights-sensitive, open, accessible, democratic.
Unless otherwise stated, authors and editors of the methods published in the project are Elisa Rapetti, Markus José Plasencia Kanzler, and Nils-Eyk Zimmermann