Open Access
Peer-Reviewed
Original Research
Socio-technical Learning: Contextualizing Undergraduate Externships to Bridge the Digital Divide
Abstract
This paper describes the temporal progression of human and social dimensions that undergraduate information and communications technology (ICT) students realized during an experiential learning externship where they explored digital divide technology solutions for low-income neighborhoods in the surrounding urban community . The described research represents significant adaptation and use of socio-technical integration research (STIR) with undergraduate ICT students engaged in work based experiential learning t o promote equity in STEM education, instill a sense of civic responsibility, and practice approaches to tackling complex societal problems. Methods used for the research study included: STIR, semi -structured interviews, and on -site group observations. Usi ng STIR, an embedded social scientist conduct ed regular one-on-one dialogs with three of four student externs , to collaboratively describe each student’s consideration of human and social dimensions as part of their technical work, explore alternative choices and their potential outcomes, and engage in reflexive learning that in some cases, influenced deliberate changes to material and behavioral practices. The on-site observation of group activities within the ICT innovation center situated in the local ur ban community provide d additional ecosystem context during technical solution design and development of the digital divide solution for local high schools and feeder schools. Outcomes for participating undergraduate ICT students showed: 1) Technology learning improvements for all students ; 2) Capacity building to reflect, anticipate and respond to sociotechnical interactions for some students; and 3) Each student was able to progress to a new level of socio-technical learning and decision making . Refle xive discourse with participants surface d cultural assets and consideration of alternative knowledges in collaborative technology design, development, and implementation that can potentially lead to solutions that are more community centered now and in the future as the ICT students transition to the workforce.
Keywords
Computer Science
Information Systems
Software Engineering
Artificial Intelligence
IADIS
Data Analytics
Declarations & Ethics
Funding:
This research received academic dissemination support through ESCAP / JournalsHub publishing programs.
Conflicts of Interest:
The authors declare no competing financial or institutional interests.
Peer Review:
Double-blind peer reviewed by international subject specialists.
License:
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
How to Cite This Article
APA / MLA / BibTeX
Pickering, et al. (2022). Socio-technical Learning: Contextualizing Undergraduate Externships to Bridge the Digital Divide. IADIS International Journal on Computer Science and Information Systems, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.33965/ijcsis_2022_v17i1_03
Pickering, et al. "Socio-technical Learning: Contextualizing Undergraduate Externships to Bridge the Digital Divide." IADIS International Journal on Computer Science and Information Systems, vol. 17, no. 1, 2022. https://doi.org/10.33965/ijcsis_2022_v17i1_03
Pickering, et al. "Socio-technical Learning: Contextualizing Undergraduate Externships to Bridge the Digital Divide." IADIS International Journal on Computer Science and Information Systems 17, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.33965/ijcsis_2022_v17i1_03