HOW MIGHT WE HELP YOUNG PEOPLE explore issues around tech and society, and develop a point of view?
In this moment of technological acceleration, the education field has been largely absent from conversations around surveillance, algorithmic profiling, consent and many of the other issues foundational to the development of AI and other modern technologies. The dominant response to AI in k-12 has been teaching tool use, when young people also need the courage to question what values these systems encode. Together with partners across Oakland, we've been asking how might we give young people an entry point for exploration of these issues that’s engaging, creative and project-based?
THE BIG IDEA
Let's design a creative learning kit that uses the graphic novel medium to help young people explore the intersection of tech and society through narrative. The kit pairs a set of graphic fables with a set of accompanying activities that move kids through story, critique, and design, so they don't just learn about technology's impact, they build alternatives to it.
PHOTO BY PATRICK BEAUDOUIN.
OUR DESIGN APPROACH
Over three years, we developed two graphic fables, accompanying activities, and a creative computing environment (created by JoyLabz) to engage young people in surveillance and algorithmic profiling. We researched each issue thoroughly, then embedded it in an age-appropriate story, with a focus on themes like belonging and independence, so young people could connect emotionally and socially. Each fable includes reflection questions and real-world case studies to unpack the issue's implications, and pairs with an activity kit spanning character design, comic strips, collage, future forecasting, and game design and coding, so kids can prototype their own alternative technologies and futures.
Designed by a team of artists, art directors, learning designers, game designers, and computer scientists, the kit was tested with young people and facilitators alongside the Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment, Oakland Public Schools, and 826Valencia, refining it around what actually engages them.
TA-DA! THE OUTCOME
Two issues of Massa Mist and their accompanying activity kits are complete and in active use with Oakland youth, giving participants a project-based path from critiquing surveillance and extractive tech to designing more just alternatives of their own. Learn more here.