Positionality and Values

Q&A (10 minutes)

Q&A about ethics, computing, and logistics of the course.

No question is too silly, naive, controversial, basic, or advanced.

Society?

When we say “social context/society/humans shapes technology,” who is included in “society?”

Critical Consciousness

One of the goals of this course is to develop an awareness of the values, norms, systems, and processes that limit or render possible our reality.

Discussion

How would you define these terms (provide examples):

• values
• norms
• systems
• processes

Human Values

Our activities reflect our values:

• Do you drink tea or soda? Why?
• Do you prefer to go to a museum or a ball game? Why?

We all carry our personal values, that are shaped by how we were raised, our socioeconomic context, etc.

What is important to people in their lifes, with a focus on ethics and morality. – Friedman & Hendry (2026)

Small Group Activity

I’ll give you some values and their definitions – in your groups:

1. Match the human value name with its description
2. Rank them from most important (at the top) to least important – what are the top 5 most important human values to be taken into account?

Journal Writing

Which of these values are relevant to you?

Stakeholders

• Whose values are to be taken into account?

References

• Paulo Freire (1968). Pedagogy of the oppressed. Bloomsbury Publishing.
• Friedman, B., & Hendry, D. G. (2026). Value sensitive design: Shaping technology with moral imagination. The MIT Press.