Liberation Isn’t a Trend: Why EdTech Needs a Justice Lens

We’ve seen a surge in educational technology claiming to "revolutionize" learning. But underneath the slick design and adaptive algorithms lie systems built on data extraction, surveillance, and bias. When the tech we use in classrooms reproduces racism, ableism, or colonial control—what are we actually transforming? Liberation is not a trend or an elective. It must be the foundation upon which digital learning is built. Otherwise, we’re digitizing oppression and calling it progress.

Reflection Prompt:

• Where in your digital ecosystem does control outweigh care?

• Where does innovation silence rather than empower?

Call to Action:

Choose one digital tool or policy your school relies on. Use a justice lens to evaluate it—consider power, access, bias, and agency.

Start a conversation with your team about how to replace, revise, or reimagine it to align with your values.