OER 3:
Storyboarding

Imagining Fair and Non-discriminatory Educational Technology and AI Usage

Why Questions of Non-Discrimination Matter when it Comes to Tech and AI Usage in Education

The principles of diversity, non-discrimination and fairness refer to building a world, in which people from all origins, cultural backgrounds, races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, physical abilities – and every other characteristic that makes humans unique – are represented, heard and given equal opportunities. Equally considering the needs of diverse people not only ensures that human rights are adhered to, but also strengthens societies and organizations, as various perspectives are represented.

Unfortunately, the use of data and AI technologies has often led to unfair and discriminatory outcomes. Critical research has identified countless cases of algorithmic systems that reinforce existing discriminations or even create new injustices. As neither data nor algorithms or AI are neutral tools, bias can enter data systems at every step from development to usage. The goal of this OER is to support learners and teachers in reflecting on how using educational technologies and AI can (unintentionally) lead to discriminatory outcomes, how difficult it can be to spot these, and in empathetically imagining ways to use technology in a fairer and more diverse manner.

How to use Storyboarding as a Method for Creative and Empathetic Future Imagining

This OER provides inspiration and guidance for applying a “storyboarding” activity with a group of learners. Storyboarding is a method that is used, among others, in technology design to imagine different (usage) experiences. The goals of the storyboarding activity in this OER are:

• to foster reflection on potentially discriminatory implications of technology use in education,
• to become aware of how your own specific experiences with and narratives about technology and AI are shaped by your identity,
• to empathetically imagine alternative perspectives and experiences with technology and AI in education, particularly those of people that tend to be overlooked or with whom we tend to identify less – for example by describing best- or worst-case situations.

The material in this OER provides an example for a detailed storyboard that highlights how the use of AI and technology in education can lead to (unintentionally) discriminatory and unfair outcomes. It further presents an activity for using storyboarding to empathetically imagine more just ways to apply tech in education.

Let’s get started!

All necessary materials as well as a detailed guideline for implementing storyboarding in your classroom for imagining fair and non-discriminatory educational tech and AI usage can be downloaded here:

Interactive Comic

Our interactive comic explores questions of fairness and non-discrimination in tech and AI usage in education. Based on the characters of Professor Schneider, Maria and Max, the story illustrates how using AI in the classroom can unintentionally lead to discriminatory and unfair outcomes. Thus, the interactive comic provides inspiration for the subsequent storyboarding exercise.

Tutorial: How storyboarding for empathy works

Check out our tutorial to see how storyboarding can be applied to foster discussion and reflection on how AI and tech can be used in educational settings in more diverse and less discriminatory ways: