background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(15, 17, 20);">One stand-out idea from Cris Mayo’s presentation that really struck me is the idea that technology is not just a neutral tool, but a social relationship shaped by culture, power, and history. Before reflecting on her talk, I often thought of technology in simple terms devices, platforms, internet access. But Mayo emphasizes that technology carries values and reinforces existing social structures. When tribes build and manage their own telecommunications systems, they are not only improving access but also asserting cultural control and protecting community relationships. This perspective helped me realize that in online and hybrid learning, we are not just using technology we are participating in systems that reflect broader social realities.

As a Grade 6 teacher, this idea makes me reflect on issues of technology and gender in my own classroom. I notice that technology use sometimes follows gender stereotypes. Boys are often more confident volunteering to handle laptops, troubleshoot problems, or lead coding tasks, while girls are sometimes expected to focus on writing, design, or presentation aspects of projects. Online games and digital content can also reinforce stereotypes, showing male characters as leaders or heroes while female characters are limited or overly focused on appearance. These patterns may seem small, but they can shape students’ confidence and future aspirations.

The implications are important. If we are not intentional, we may unintentionally reinforce the idea that technology belongs more to one gender than another. As a teacher, I need to consciously rotate roles during group work, encourage all students especially girls to take on technical tasks, and openly discuss stereotypes they encounter online. Creating an inclusive digital classroom means ensuring that every child feels capable and empowered to use technology not just as a consumer, but as a creator.

https://www.coursera.org/learn/ubiquitouslearning/discussions/all/threads/Wo7tnA8sEfGeiAr_49RtqQ/replies/vVHpphe0EfGgMhIihID3kQ

Technology and Gender