The Information Age: Technology, Learning and Exclusion in Wales

(Paperback)

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The Information Age offers a critical examination of the challenges a newly-devolved Wales faces in reinventing itself as a confident and competitive 'e-nation'. The development and exploitation of technology has long been at the core of Welsh economic and social life and has assumed even greater significance over the last few decades with the emergence of new information and communication technologies. Neil Selwyn and Stephen Gorard suggest that small countries will lose out if they fail to adopt appropriate strategies for lifelong learning and combat the danger of a 'digital divide'. At the same time, their extensive empirical research offers early indications of the likely shortcomings of relying on technology alone to promote knowledge and social inclusion. Wales faces major structural, economic and socio-cultural challenges. None of these will be overcome by relying solely on 'technical fixes'.

Reviews

'... inspiring and challenging ... I found the clear and distinct thinking that has gone into this analysis quite refreshing.' (Education, Communication & Information) '...This is a very good book...well-researched.' The Information Age '...a carefully argued, empirically substantiated appraisal of digital Wales. It deserves to be widely read, not just in the country which is its focus of attention, but elsewhere as well, for the lessons that can be carried into similar nations with newly devolved powers of governance.' European Journal of Communication.

Author Bio

Neil Selwyn is a Lecturer at Cardiff University School of Social Sciences and the author of 101 key ideas in Information Technology (2002). Stephen Gorard is a Professor at Cardiff University School of Social Sciences. His most recent books are Education and Social Justice (2000), and Creating a Learning Society (2002).