Technology And Social Inclusion

Much of the discussion about new technologies and social equality has focused on theoversimplified notion of a "digital divide." Technology and Social Inclusion moves beyond thelimited view of haves and have-nots to analyze the different forms of access to information andcommunication technologies. Drawing on theory from political science, economics, sociology,psychology, communications, education, and linguistics, the book examines the ways in whichdiffering access to technology contributes to social and economic stratification or inclusion. Thebook takes a global perspective, presenting case studies from developed and developing countries,including Brazil, China, Egypt, India, and the United States.A central premise is that, in today'ssociety, the ability to access, adapt, and create knowledge using information and communicationtechnologies is critical to social inclusion. This focus on social inclusion shifts the discussionof the "digital divide" from gaps to be overcome by providing equipment to social developmentchallenges to be addressed through the effective integration of technology into communities,institutions, and societies. What is most important is not so much the physical availability ofcomputers and the Internet but rather people's ability to make use of those technologies to engagein meaningful social practices.

Mark Warschauer is Assistant Professor of Education and of Information and Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine, and founding editor of the journal Language Learning and Technology.