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Data and Society 9-12 / Week 11 / Mission Quest
6/6
Week 11 · Bias, Access and Many Voices

Mission Quest

Mission Quest: Who can get online?
// Whose voices are in our data, and whose are missing?
⏱ about 20 min

Mission Quest: Who Can Get Online?

Comet is still thinking about the four new computers. "The Commons is one place to use a computer," she says. "Where else in town could someone get online?"

Wren flips to a clean page on his clipboard. "What do you notice when you walk around town? Where do people use screens?"

"And who still misses out?" Comet adds. "Like the members who come when the desk is closed."

Nova hovers between them. "Would you like a hint?" she asks. "Talk it over with your family. Write kinds of places, never addresses or names."

Comet nods. "Data analyst, this one is a family mission."

  1. A product should be checked for whether a broad group can use it.
  2. The digital divide is differing access to devices and the Internet. It raises issues of equity, access and influence.
  3. Bias often comes from the source of data. More data from the same source does not remove it.
◇ WHO CAN GET ONLINE?
You need paper, a pencil and a family member who says yes to talking with you.
Together, list kinds of places in your community where someone could use a computer or the Internet.
Write only the kind of place, such as a community hall like the Commons. Never write an address, a street or anyone's name.
If you get stuck, think of places you have seen on walks or drives, then name only the kind of place.
For each place, talk about who might still miss out. Think about open hours, getting there, and needing help with a screen.
Pick one place. Together, invent one change that would let more people use it.
Keep your list at home. It is for your family, not for sharing.
For a grown-up
This week your student learned about the digital divide: differing access to computing devices and the Internet.
Today's talk is about kinds of places only, never addresses, routes or names.
Ask: who in our community might find it hard to get online, and what could help?
Everything in this course is done on paper. No app, website or account is needed.
QUEST CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
What should your family list write down?
A place is open only during work hours. Who might miss out?
Who shapes the digital divide?
Quest reviewTrue or false?
Having a place with computers in town means everyone can use it.?
Open hours and getting there are part of access.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEAccess is about who can really use something, not only whether it exists.
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