Book Reviews

The Internet and the University: 2002 Forum

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From Digital Divide to Digital Democracy

This publication, second in a series on technology in higher education, marks a clear shift from the discourse found in its predecessor, Access in the Information Age: Community Colleges Bridging the Digital Divide. While that book focused on internet access issues, Digital Democracy moves ahead to more in-depth and diverse explorations from multiple perspectives. Specifically, it explores technology access and literacy from the perspectives of urban, rural, and suburban community colleges; tribal colleges; and African-American, Hispanic, and female students.

Alfredo G. de los Santos provides an eye-opening statistical look at the changing landscape of the population and the shifting tides of accessibility. Stella Perez, Cindy Miles, and Cynthia Wilson shine a light on gender issues surrounding technology in the community college. And Mark David Milliron gives a call for more clear-headed action on the part of community college leaders who are grappling with the sea changes brought to higher education by the internet.

Issues, insights, model programs, successful strategies, and research outcomes are shared by the authors. The findings and recommendations described in the book should provide useful background or stimulus for more complete conversations in academic communities.

As Mark David Milliron writes in Digital Democracy, “The implications of our choices with and uses of information are profound. These choices will dictate whether or not we and our students can truly live free in this increasingly connected world.”

Gerardo E. de los Santos, Alfredo G. de los Santos Jr., and Mark David Milliron, Editors, From Digital Divide to Digital Democracy. League for Innovation. http://leaguestore.sureshopping.com/display.asp?sku=50&rP=searching,rqDesc@digital,rqOrder@1.