Technology and Social Inclusion: Rethinking the Digital Divide

by Mark Warschauer

Much of the discussion about new technologies and social equality has focused on the oversimplified notion of a "digital divide." Technology and Social Inclusion moves beyond the limited view of haves and have-nots to analyze the different forms of access to information and communication technologies. Drawing on theory from political science, economics, sociology, psychology, communications, education, and linguistics, the book examines the ways in which differing access to technology contributes to social and economic stratification or inclusion. The book 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's society, the ability to access, adapt, and create knowledge using information and communication technologies is critical to social inclusion. This focus on social inclusion shifts the discussion of the "digital divide" from gaps to be overcome by providing equipment to social development challenges 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 of computers and the Internet but rather people's ability to make use of those technologies to engage in meaningful social practices.

Genres: Sociology, Technology, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 24, 2003

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Technology and Social Inclusion (2004), Mark Warschauer problemetizes the idea of the digital divide because it overemphasizes the physical availability of technology and creates an inaccurate, simplistic binary between haves and have-nots (6-7). Drawing on his own empirical research in a variety of settings, he describes the limits of models of access based on devices and conduits and proposes instead the model of literacy (31). The device and conduit models are limiting because they do not take into account how people need "to make use of that device and line to engage in meaningful social practices" (38). Literacy is a useful model because it promotes 1) physical artifacts, 2) relevant content, 3) development of skills, knowledge, and attitudes, and most importantly, 4) social action "that intersects with social structure, social organization, and social practices" (44-45).

[Romulo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foi este livro que serviu de inspiração para o tema da minha pesquisa no mestrado de sociologia. Eu queria escrever sobre inclusão digital, mas não sabia, na época qual a abordagem.

Depois de conhecer esse livro, pude alinhar uma série de conceitos. Por exemplo qual a relação entre inclusão digital e inclusão social? Além disso o autor faz uma crítica ao conceito ou visão de inclusão digital, ainda corrente, que pensa apenas no acesso, no proplema de como conectar as pessoas, mas se esquece com o que vem depois do acesso que é o uso, a apropriação daquilo que está sendo acessado.

O acesso é sempre bem vindo. Todos devem ter acesso. Isso não se discute. Mas quando se pretende que esse acesso tenha consequencias sociais mais profundas, algo mais precisa ser feito. É preciso cuidar e analisar quais as ações estão acompanhando essa conexão, para que ela seja de fato apropriada por que a usa. Para que as pessoas não sejam apenas consumidoras de informação, mas sejam também produtoras, não só de perfis no orkut (o que é muito legal), mas também do wikipedia, gerando conhecimento.

O livro já está um pouco desatualizado, mas continua sendo uma referência para todos que querem estudar o tema da inclusão digital e a sua relação com mudança social. Educadores, gestores públicos, ongs, empreendedores e estudantes de ciências sociais são público primário desse livro.

[Sandeep Mertia · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Technology and Social Inclusion: Rethinking the Digital Divide’ by Mark Warschauer – an erudite meditation on ‘digital divide’, the book challenges, from a global perspective, all the simplified and binary notions we have about “access” to technology and thus the promise of social equity and development which it promises. Warschauer essentially recasts the whole debate on digital divide and re-designs the categories like ‘have and have-nots’ to gradations which are highly dependent on contextual socio-economic realities. It took me nearly ten days to finish this book from cover to cover, as I had started my field work by then, but it was a completely worthwhile experience as it turned out to be one of the cornerstones for my research.

[Ketan]

Very well-written and well-organized book. It has a number of illuminating case studies from both 'developed' and 'developing' worlds. For more detailed review: http://www.unc.edu/~ketan/documents/B...

[Karla Strand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential for my doctoral research.