Receptivity: Fostering Respectful Conversations in the Digital Public Sphere

Abstract

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has reshaped educational environments, presenting both opportunities and challenges in enhancing student engagement and communication. Despite these technological strides, a critical gap remains in facilitating effective and respectful discourse, escalated by the rise of toxic discourse. This paper introduces the Receptivity, a novel educational technology concept designed to bridge this gap through an innovative, color-coded feedback system that allows teachers and students to communicate emotional and cognitive states in real time, fostering a respectful and inclusive conversational climate. Grounded in human-centered design principles and the concept of reflexivity in student engagement, Receptivity emphasizes the importance of immediate, non-intrusive feedback mechanisms. Our methodology employs an iterative development process, incorporating direct user engagement and expert consultations to refine the app’s functionalities. Preliminary testing indicates that Receptivity enhances the quality of educational discussions, promoting a more adaptive learning environment. This work contributes to the discourse on digital behavior change interventions and student engagement, offering a fresh perspective on leveraging technology to improve educational outcomes. The paper discusses the implications of Receptivity for teaching and learning practices, highlighting its potential to transform educational experiences through enhanced communication and reflexivity.