▩▩▩▩▩▩▩ WEEK 5 ▩▩▩▩▩▩▩

Summary of Readings

I began writing my RPO awhile ago and it has undergone several revisions since then. Presently, the title and subtitle remain unconfirmed, as I’m still searching for the more precise key terms. Simultaneously, while conducting my research, I compiled a list of insights to gain from each of my research pillars. Subsequently, I used these keywords as a foundation for exploring the interconnections between concepts and theories. In response to this, I found it necessary to rename my research pillars to eliminate any potential confusion.

Pillar 1 - Algorithm Dilemmas

I need to highlight the growing significance of algorithmic integration into various facets of daily life and the concomitant rise of concerns regarding their fairness, transparency, and accountability. On top of that, I can include footnotes to give some examples of real life events and the effects of these implications.

Pillar 2 - Algorithm Literacy

Algorithm literacy can be broken down into two distinct components: knowledge and awareness, each serving a unique purpose. Algorithm knowledge encompasses a general understanding of what algorithms are and how they operate. On the other hand, awareness involves the ability to recognize and identify algorithms in action during various forms of engagement and interaction.

Pillar 3 - Speculative Design

Given the constraints of the word count limit, I'm faced with a choice between delving into the critical reflection aspect of speculative design or discussing its methodologies. My aim is to find a way to seamlessly integrate these two elements. Alternatively, if that proves challenging, I may opt to primarily focus on the critical reflection component, as the RPO primarily centers around justifying my research area. There's also the possibility of incorporating the methodology within the research approach section.


After gaining a comprehensive understanding of what constitutes algorithm literacy, it became considerably more straightforward for me to pinpoint and align my research objective with the chosen approach of exploring with speculative design. My primary concern at this stage revolves around assessing the effectiveness of my chosen research methodology. I'm currently grappling with the challenge of devising appropriate tests for measuring algorithm literacy. This uncertainty has led me to consider framing my subtitle and research objective in a manner that avoids prematurely drawing conclusions.

During my exploration of speculative design, I came across several projects that featured keywords such as "echo chambers," "algorithms," and "social media." These projects provided valuable insights into their respective approaches. Interestingly, I observed that speculative projects often focus less on evaluating the effectiveness of this design approach and more on generating discourse—engaging in meaningful questions and conversations within the context of the problem posed.