„We as a society need to debate what we actually expect from these…algorithms,“ says Sascha Lobo, blogger and author,* (Photo: Andi Weiland): As the year draws to a close, the number of smart gifts will once again increase. Whether it's a tracking bracelet or an interactive speaker, everyday life and society are becoming increasingly interconnected. Algorithms are playing a growing role in all areas of life. What does this mean for our actions in a world where so much already seems "pre-programmed"? From December 11th to 15th, 2017, student teachers at the Anna Freud School explored various aspects of this question through working with different media – both analog and digital.
The participants of the Comic workshop From their discussions on the significance of algorithms and artificial intelligence, they developed a story that begins in a technology museum in the distant future and looks back to the year 2020. "The Revenge" speaks for itself: hence the title. Download and print the comic book "The Revenge" (pdf, 52 MB)
What exactly are social bots and what purpose do they serve (us)? Multimedia workshop group For her research, she conducted a Skype interview with Andrea Uecker from Shakeinnovation about Novibot, the chatbot from the public broadcaster's youth service, funk. In a Etherpad They collected interesting links on the topic. The workshop participants conceived and produced several films, two of which can be seen here:
„"If then else" is a simple and familiar programming command already found in the seminar title. But what attitudes, interests, and goals drive the writing of these programs? Does personal programming experience support understanding and discussion of the role of algorithms and programming in democratic society? Which robots are desirable for educators in their role as mediators of democratic attitudes and actions in the digital society? The participants of the Maker workshop They discussed this and experimented with building and programming mBots. For example, they programmed their small robots to generate harmony and joy (instead of hate speech). More pictures of their prototypes for desirable robotics, as well as their production and presentation, can be found in the photo gallery. Seminar impressions to see.
Our information society is heavily influenced by the use and consumption of images. Search algorithms—whether on Google or in our own Facebook or Instagram accounts—suggest specific images in response to terms and questions. Do these algorithms reinforce or dismantle clichés, stereotypes, and prejudices? Are image-analyzing algorithms neutral, or do they influence our perception of the world? The workshop participants explored these questions. Black and white photography Against this backdrop, they intensively studied algorithms, researched, discussed, and used analog photography to express their views on the digitally "programmed" society. A selection of their photographic works is shown here, photographed in the... Final exhibition/pdf 9.5 MB, to see.
What does a society look like in which algorithms determine the framework for rules and laws? How do questions of freedom and self-determination versus external control arise when, for example, smart toys become an integral part of growing up in a digital society? What significance do morality, feelings, and values have in a world where robots play an increasingly important role? In the workshop Staged reading Based on their research and discussions, the participants developed their own texts in various genres and staged these as a performance entitled "Industrial Revolution 4.0" for the final presentation. Part of the The original text can be read here (pdf/approx. 1.5 MB).
The published results offer a glimpse into diverse research, discussions, and media productions. Further impressions, such as those from the seminar's opening with offline programming/algorithm exercises, the work in the workshop groups, and the final presentation on December 15, 2017, are shown in the [link/section/etc.]. Photo gallery on Flickr.
The seminar took place as part of the collaboration within the program „Civic youth education in the AdB“ in the project group „Digital Media and Democracy“ instead of. It was funded by the Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family
The wannseeFORUM Foundation is a recognized sponsor of the Federal Agency for Civic Education.
Photos on this page: Andi Weiland
*Source: ZDF program "aspekte" from January 29, 2016