Agency
In her BETHA lecture, Brenda Laurel discusses personal agency and how it relates to technology. It is important that individuals have a sense of personal agency in order to be able to evaluate the internet and information that is relevant to them. She uses personal agency as one of the many threads woven into her vision of the Web, its usefulness to society to strengthen democracy, and its relevance to the educational community. She talks about the web as a place where new ideologies and conversations that happen provide an empowering space where multiple voices are heard. She discusses the importance of personal stories and oral narratives and culture. Oral narratives give us a true picture of what’s happening, yet much of the oral culture has already been lost.
Links to Brenda Laurel’s writing on agency
1. 1. Culture Work for Peace
2. 2. Technological Humanism and Values-Driven Design
3. 3. People, Communities, and Service: Shaping the Future of the Internet
4. 4. Placeholder
Bertram (Chip) Bruce speaks to personal agency through one of his main themes of inquiry learning. This idea is based on how technology enables learners to be engaged in their own learning as active participants. This participatory inquiry requires that individuals be actively engaged and partners in their ongoing development. He is directly involved in The Inquiry Page which helps with the understanding of inquiry-based learning.
Links to Bertram (Chip) Bruce’s writing on agency
1. Inquiry Page
Nicholas Burbules speaks about personal involvement that is part of personal agency. He defines the virtual as having four components, interest, involvement, imagination, and interaction. Personal involvement allows for individuals to interpret, interact and not just be a passive observer. The question arises whether we care enough about what we are experiencing, are we involved enough to pay attention to it? This is all part of interacting with the environment. Burbules also questions how we as educators are able to address how we choose to serve the interests of students and communities. He discusses the understanding and adaptation of the democratic principles of personal agency and advocacy for justice as keystones for developing an equal society.
