Solen Feyissa, Ph.D.

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Category: Society and Culture

Societal and cultural factors that influence education are explored. Topics range from cultural capital and societal norms to arts and history. The aim is to unravel the complex interplay between societal constructs and educational opportunities.

The Matthew Effect in Education: Understanding the Compounding of Inequality

The Matthew effects in education refer to the compounding of academic advantages or disadvantages over time, creating increasingly significant disparities in educational achievement. This concept was coined by the sociologist Robert Merton. The “name”Matthew Effect” was named after a parable in the biblical book of Matthew: “For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” (Matthew 13:12). The core of the Matthew Effect is its reinforcing nature: early successes result in additional opportunities and resources, perpetuating a cycle of advantage, whereas initial difficulties can lead to limited opportunities, further intensifying academic struggles. Comprehending this effect is vital for tackling the deep-rooted inequalities present in educational systems across the globe. (see Perc, 2014 and Walberg and Tsai, 1983)

The Matthew Effect: Origins

The Matthew Effect was initially used to explain situations where famous researchers continued to receive credit for notable discoveries and ideas, when in fact, lesser-known scientists had published findings on the same topic before them. But evidence of the Matthew Effect can be seen in every aspect life, from politics and religion to education. Rigney notes, “The study of Matthew effects is concerned with how inequalities persist and grow through time. It explores the mechanisms or processes through which inequalities, once they come into existence, become self-perpetuating and self-amplifying in the absence of intervention, widening the gap between those who have more and those who have less.”

Underpinning the Matthew Effect in education is the principle of cumulative advantage. This principle reveals how children start their education with inherent benefits —whether due to socioeconomic status, availability of educational resources, or early academic skills —frequently outpace their peers lacking such advantages. This phenomenon acts as an amplifier of initial disparities, casting a spotlight on the entrenched systemic inequalities within educational institutions. These early advantages often translate into long-term educational and professional successes, further widening the gap between different socio-economic groups.

Socioeconomic status plays a crucial role in the Matthew Effect. Children from wealthier families typically enjoy access to a broad spectrum of educational resources, including sophisticated learning environments, a variety of extracurricular programs, and advanced learning materials. These resources create a fertile ground for academic growth, substantially boosting their learning outcomes. On the other hand, children hailing from less affluent backgrounds often encounter a scarcity of these enriching experiences. This lack of access to key educational resources not only limits their immediate learning potential but also places long-term constraints on their educational development. This stark contrast between different economic backgrounds underscores the broader societal issues of income inequality and educational access.

The Matthew Effect extends its influence to the critical domains of literacy and numeracy skills acquired at an early age. Mastery of these foundational skills sets a trajectory that significantly influences future academic and career success. Children who successfully navigate these early educational milestones are more likely to experience ongoing academic achievements, whereas those who struggle with early literacy and numeracy often find themselves trapped in a persistent cycle of academic difficulties. These divergent educational pathways, stemming from the earliest stages of learning, accentuate the importance of quality early education in shaping life-long learning trajectories.

The societal impact of the Matthew Effect cannot be overstated. It perpetuates a cycle of educational and socio-economic inequality, where the disparities in academic achievement are closely mirrored in wider economic and social divisions (see Bask and Bask, 2015). This cumulative advantage or disadvantage effectively cements class structures, limiting the scope of social mobility and perpetuating existing societal hierarchies. Such an entrenched system poses significant challenges to the ideal of meritocracy and equal opportunity, calling for a critical reevaluation of educational policies and practices.

Technology’s Amplification of the Matthew Effect in Education

Educational technologies (or technology in general), while offering unprecedented opportunities for learning, have paradoxically also intensified the Matthew Effect. Technology, heralded as a great equalizer in education, often plays a contradictory role. Its potential to democratize education is significant, offering diverse learning tools and resources. However, the reality is more complex. The disparity in access to technology—often referred to as the digital divide—mirrors and magnifies the existing socioeconomic divides. Students from affluent families are more likely to have access to high-speed internet, personal learning devices, digital learning platforms, and the skills that go with it. In contrast, students from less privileged backgrounds may struggle with limited or no access to these technologies. This divide not only affects their ability to engage with digital learning materials but also limits their exposure to essential digital literacy skills.

Moreover, the rapid integration of technology in education requires a level of digital literacy that is not uniformly distributed across different socioeconomic strata. Children who are exposed to technology from an early age, often from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, are better equipped to navigate and leverage these tools for learning. Conversely, students with limited prior exposure to technology face a steep learning curve, hindering their ability to benefit equally from digital educational resources.

The pandemic-induced shift to online learning further highlighted how technology can amplify educational disparities. Students lacking reliable internet access or adequate devices found themselves at a significant disadvantage, unable to participate fully in remote learning. This situation not only affected their immediate learning experiences but also had long-term implications on their educational trajectory.

The effective use of technology in education should be accompanied by policies and practices aimed at minimizing these disparities. This includes ensuring equitable access to technology and digital literacy training for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

Digital Divide as a Catalyst in the Matthew Effect in Education

The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have easy access to the internet and digital technologies, and those who do not. This divide is not just a matter of technological access; it encompasses differences in the ability to use and benefit from digital resources. In the context of the Matthew Effect in education, the digital divide acts as a catalyst, accelerating the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students.

Students who have access to digital tools and high-speed internet are better positioned to benefit from the wealth of educational resources available to them. They can supplement their learning with educational software, access vast digital libraries, and participate in online learning communities, and more important have the knowledge and skills to do so. This access enhances their learning experience, offering a broader and deeper educational engagement.

Conversely, students lacking such access and skills are doubly disadvantaged. Not only do they miss out on these additional learning resources, but they also face challenges in completing basic educational tasks that increasingly require digital tools. This gap in digital access and literacy leads to a divergence in educational achievement, reinforcing the patterns outlined by the Matthew Effect.

The digital divide also has implications for skill development critical for flourishing. Students with regular access to technology develop digital literacy skills almost as a byproduct of their daily interactions with digital devices. Those without such access lag in acquiring these essential skills, placing them at a further disadvantage in an increasingly digital world.

Learning and equity

Recognizing that the Matthew Effect can impact learning outcomes is perhaps the most critical first step to combatting the inequalities it creates. Matthew Effect contributes to systemic disparities between schools in underprivileged and affluent areas. Because schools in affluent areas can spend more money per pupil, they enjoy the best facilities, attract more experienced and competent teachers, and perform better in almost every aspect. Moreover, re-thinking the notion that talent is natural instead of nurtured is a significant step towards combatting the Matthew Effect and ensuring that learning is more equitable.

Furthermore, addressing the Matthew Effect requires a comprehensive approach. Interventions need to focus on equalizing opportunities, especially in early education, and providing continuous support throughout the educational journey for disadvantaged students. Furthermore, to effectively address the Matthew Effect in education, it is crucial to confront the digital divide. Solutions may include ensuring equitable access to technology in schools, providing affordable internet access in underserved communities, and integrating digital literacy into the curriculum. Without addressing the digital divide, efforts to mitigate the Matthew Effect will remain incomplete.

Reflecting on the Matthew Effect in education prompts consideration of broader philosophical and ethical issues. Ideally, education should serve as a tool for bridging social divides. However, the persistence of the Matthew Effect reveals the complexities in achieving this ideal. It calls for reevaluating societal values and structures that perpetuate educational disparities.


Further Reading

Book Review: “The Charisma Machine”

A charismatic technology derives its power experientially and symbolically through the possibility or promise of action: what is important is not what the object is but how it invokes the imagination through what it promises to do.

Megan Ames’s “The Charisma Machine: The Life, Death, and Legacy of One Laptop per Child” offers a compelling and critical examination of the ambitious One Laptop per Child (OLPC) initiative, a project that emerged from the MIT Media Lab in 2005. Championed by its charismatic leader, Nicholas Negroponte, OLPC represented a bold foray into the world of digital optimism, aiming to transform education in developing countries through the distribution of low-cost, rugged, and energy-efficient XO laptops. In her book, Ames explores the contrasts between the lofty ideals of this initiative and the stark realities of its implementation, providing insightful analysis and critique.

Ames’s book begins by setting the stage with the inception of OLPC, describing how the initiative was born out of a profound belief in the power of technology to democratize education. The XO laptop, with its distinctive green and white design, was a symbol of a larger vision to revolutionize education by providing children, irrespective of their socio-economic background, with tools to become proactive learners. However, as the story of OLPC unfolded, a chasm between this vision and the actual impact of the laptops on the ground began to be exposed.

As with many who lead development projects, Negroponte and OLPC’s other leaders and contributors wanted to transform the world—not only for what they believed would be for the better but, as we will see, in their own image.

Charismatic technology: One Laptop per Child at Kagugu Primary School, Kigali, Rwanda.

The strength of The Charisma Machine lies in Ames’s thorough critique of the underlying assumptions and challenges of the OLPC initiative. She argues that while the project was fueled by a strong belief in the transformative power of technology, it fundamentally misunderstood the complexities of integrating technology into diverse educational and cultural landscapes and instead relied on charismatic technology. Her assessment extends beyond technological shortcomings, touching on the broader implications of tech-driven educational reforms, particularly in resource-limited environments.

It will be individual children who identify with the charisma of the XO laptop, and through the force of their inspiration, they will uplift their communities to the freedom and prosperity that OLPC promised.

Through her critical lens, Ames highlights the realities that confronted the XO laptop. She points out that despite its innovative design and intended functionality, the laptop’s actual use in various socio-economic settings often fell short of OLPC’s aspirations. The book emphasizes the delicate balance between technological innovation and the nuanced realities of educational ecosystems, underlining the necessity of a deeper understanding of effective technology integration in education.

The Charisma Machine further explores the broader context of technology in education. Ames sheds light on the significant role of external factors—such as family support, mentorship, and community involvement—in the effective use of technological tools. She further discusses the power of narratives and imaginaries in shaping perceptions about technology in education, illustrating how these can drive innovation and change but also create unrealistic expectations.

Even though there is something inherently unjust in accepting that only a few children may benefit from a charismatic technology—which children, under what circumstances, and with what effects on equity?—there is another element that is even more problematic. In particular, the project’s focus on student-led learning, drawing as it does on imaginaries such as the technically precocious boy, does not account for the critical role that various social worlds and institutions—including peers, families, schools, and communities—play in shaping a child’s educational motivations and technological practices.

OLPC’s journey, from a pioneering initiative to a more cautionary example, reflects the shift in how such projects are perceived over time, transitioning from beacons of hope and progress to reminders of the intricacies involved in implementing technological solutions in education. As Ames highlights, understanding the appeal of such visionary projects can help stakeholders identify, manage, and even exploit the narratives driving technological interventions without getting caught up in them. This insight is crucial for developing effective and sustainable educational technologies that align with the specific needs and contexts of the communities they aim to serve.

In retrospect, the OLPC story serves as a vital case study, encapsulating the intricate relationship between technology, education, and societal contexts. It underscores the need for technology to be adaptable and responsive to unique cultural, social, and infrastructural landscapes. The critique of OLPC also invites a deeper exploration into the promises and perils of technological utopianism in education, urging a nuanced understanding of the dynamics at play. The Charisma Machine offers a valuable lessons and insights regarding charismatic technology in EdTech or ICT4D projects, advocating for initiatives that are not only grounded in reality but also inclusive and transformative, fostering a future where technology in education transcends boundaries, promotes inclusivity, and amplifies the voices of all learners.

Reference

Ames, M. G. (2019). The charisma machine: The life, death, and legacy of One Laptop per Child. The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA.  328 pp