Public Education in the Digital Age: Neoliberalism, EdTech, and the Future of Our Schools

Quotation of Lewis Mumford: "The machine itself makes no demands and holds out no promises; it is the human spirit that makes demands and keeps promises."
Human technological interventions and manipulations: Unlike earlier inventions (e.g., sharp stick, wheel, printing press), recent technological advancements are incredibly intricate, involving machines and algorithms perceived as intelligent by their users.
The blurring lines between human beings and technology, echoed by Donna Haraway in "A Cyborg Manifesto" (1991), suggesting ongoing shifts in this relationship.
Dependence on devices: Day-to-day activities are increasingly mediated by technology, like using smartphones for basic math, navigation, and decision-making.
Definitions of emerging technologies: Adam Greenfield's term “radical technologies” includes augmented reality, cryptocurrency, and automation, redefining human interaction with both the natural and social environments.

Cultural theorists interpret current human-tech interactions as indicative of the posthuman age.
N. Katherine Hayles: Describes the posthuman as a combination of the human and the intelligent machine, marking a shift in human subjectivity.
Ihab Hassan (1977): Suggested that human forms, desires, and representations are changing radically, signaling the end of traditional humanism.
Debate on posthumanism: Scholars, including Kim Toffoletti, interpret the term “post” as indicative of evolution rather than a finality of the human experience—suggesting continuity rather than divergence.
- Shannon C. Gleason views the posthuman era as a possible challenge to Enlightenment views that transcend natural dominion.
Ruha Benjamin critiqued posthuman opinions by asserting that such ideals may overlook existing inequalities, suggesting the posthuman narrative assumes an equal human experience has been historically available.

Martin Heidegger's concern (1955): Highlighted the risk of technology compromising human free will through Gestell, the concept of enframing human life through technological means.
Francis Fukuyama: Expressed worries regarding biotechnology's threat to human nature and the potential "end of the human" as we know it.
Some scholars maintain that anything extending human capabilities can be considered posthuman—this includes tools and technologies that have existed for ages.

The digital age signifies a universally accepted epoch marked by ubiquitous technology use, where daily existence becomes increasingly intertwined with technology.
Tanner Mirrlees and Shahid Alvi (2020) note the implications of ICT developments on cultural dynamics and argue for the pervasive acknowledgement of living in a new digital age.
The term “digital age” is preferred for its greater relevance to the current state of human-technology interactions than “posthuman.”
Increasing use of social media among youth:
- In 2013, Americans aged 18-34 averaged 4 hours per day on social media; in recent years, teens average approximately 9 hours daily.
- 60% of social media usage is mobile, leading to projections of Americans spending about 5 years and 4 months of their life on these platforms.
Comparison examples of time spent on social media (e.g., equivalent to flying to the moon and back 32 times, etc.) show significant investments of personal time into these technologies.
Sherry Turkle’s research illustrates the conflicts between personal safety and technology engagement, exemplified by a youth's admission of checking Facebook while driving, noting addiction-like behavior.

GPS Impact: Transition from traditional navigation leads to diminished capabilities in mental mapping crucial for problem-solving, as modern technology reorients comprehension of spatial surroundings.
Studies indicate that persistent reliance on GPS minimizes memory retention of routes and alters navigation skills; the egocentric technology centers users’ experiences uniquely shaped by data.
Emergence of biometric technologies (e.g., Fitbit) signals a shift in self-awareness regarding bodily experiences and behaviors.
- Fitbit's evolving functionalities show a growing need for technological assistance in personal monitoring of fitness and activity.
The use of biometric tracking devices in public education, as noted during the West Virginia teachers' strike (2018), exemplifies the intrusion of technology into health and personal data monitoring.

Education exists within the broader context of technological reliance as a defining characteristic of the digital age.
Despite assertions of educational institutions being stagnant, there is considerable enthusiasm for technologic integration in K-12 and higher education.
- History of tech in education includes various technologies from Channel One to current online applications like ClassDojo, Duolingo, and LMS in universities.
Larry Cuban’s observation (1986) of fads in tech adoption demonstrates that educational institutions face continuous critiques of rigidity despite embracing innovations rapidly.
Li et al. note sustained growth in classroom technology access over the last two decades. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for dramatic increases in technology penetration into education.
Despite education's emphasis on technology as inherently beneficial, critical discussions about how technological exposure alters learning experiences are lacking.

Technophilia: Defined as enthusiasm for technology, emerging in the 1960s, implies a worldview where technology is viewed as inherently positive and transformative for human life.
Critique of Educational Technology: The promotion of tech in educational settings often lacks critical discourse regarding its effectiveness or potential harms.
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