Coding · 1st Year

Active learning ideas

Ethics and the Digital Divide

This topic tackles the ethical side of the digital world, focusing on the 'Digital Divide' and the responsibilities of those who create technology. Students examine why some groups have better access to tech than others and how this creates inequality in education and work. In Ireland, this might involve discussing the difference between high-speed fiber in Dublin versus rural broadband challenges.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA Coding Strand 1: 1.5
• NCCA Coding Strand 3: 3.1

• 20–60 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Simulation Game
• 30 min · Whole Class

Simulation Game: The Digital Divide Game

Assign students different 'resource levels' (e.g., fast internet, slow internet, no device). They must complete a simple online task. Afterward, they discuss the frustration and unfairness of the barriers they faced.

What is the digital divide?

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Decision-Making

Activity 02

• Mock Trial
• 60 min · Whole Class

Mock Trial: The Biased Algorithm

Students hold a trial for a fictional app that shows job ads only to certain people. Roles include the developer, the person excluded, and a jury. They argue whether the developer is responsible for the 'unintentional' bias.

How does software impact privacy and security?

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Decision-Making
• Social Awareness

Activity 03

• Think-Pair-Share
• 20 min · Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Designing for All

Students look at a popular app and identify three ways it might be difficult for someone with a visual impairment or no home Wi-Fi to use. They then brainstorm simple fixes with a partner.

What ethical responsibilities do programmers have?

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• The digital divide is only about having a computer or not.

  It also involves digital literacy, quality of connection, and language barriers. Using a 'persona' activity where students imagine different users helps them see that access is multi-layered.

• Programmers are neutral and their code is always fair.

  Human bias can be coded into software accidentally. Analyzing real-world examples of biased search results or facial recognition helps students understand the weight of their future coding decisions.

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Methods used in this brief

• Simulation Game
• Mock Trial
• Think-Pair-Share