Thinking of technology as a primary good

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen certain communities affected more severely than others. This is true in the realm of education as well. With the continuous movement from online education, to in-person, and then back again, we’ve seen that access to technology is crucial for succeeding at this tumultuous time.

It’s 2020, we know that tech literacy is crucial for thriving in today’s world. Yet, when we discuss what types of education are most important for students to blossom, technology does not often come up. Instead, we hear about the heavily tested subjects: math and literacy. This is not discounting those two, but in order to truly participate in today’s world, one needs more than math and literacy.

The pandemic is driving some of this home. I think it’s time that we start thinking of technology as something essential—a primary good. Gutmann (1980) describes a primary good as a good that we would want provided for ourselves as children. She lists the most obvious of these: nutrition, health care, housing, familial affection, and a quality education. We need these to move from surviving to thriving. I would argue that technology is moving into this sphere. We need technology to thrive. Certainly, now, not only do we need to be technology literate, but students need technology just to go to school. You cannot do online schooling without the online part.

A profound achievement gap already exists in this country. Imagine how wide it becomes the longer the pandemic lasts. Viewing technology as a primary good alone will not shrink the gap, but at least it works to level the playing field so that all students have access to one primary good that is not in doubt…a quality education.

Gutmann, A. (2020). Children, Paternalism, and Education: A Liberal Argument. Philosophy & Public Affairs, 9(4), 338-358.