Looking at the major issues surrounding the digital divide debate from a historical, political, and global perspective, this comprehensive book offers potential model approaches and country-by-country analysis. Unique in scope and structure, it is both a policy guide and reference book, providing solutions and resources that will help build a community of interest and foster the exchange of information and best practices.

Amid all of the talk about the digital divide, there is little to point to in the way of effective solutions. Putting computers in classrooms without adequate teacher training, Internet access and courseware doesn't solve anything. School administrators, communications and information technology experts and policymakers need a broader understanding of the issues surrounding the debate in order to formulate policy and implement viable solutions. This book approaches the problem from an historical, political and global perspective. It presents a comprehensive discussion of the problems and provides workable solutions, potential model approaches, and country-by-country analysis. Unique in scope and structure, this work is both a policy guide and reference book, providing solutions and resources that should help build a community of interest and foster the exchange of information and best practices. Anyone serious about bridging the digital divide should want to read this book and mine its extensive set of references to web sites and other materials and resources.

Review
This important book highlights ways the digital divide goes well beyond issues of access. The authors provide insights into interactive media that empower the dispossessed and aid all people to find their voices... — Chris Dede, Timothy E. Wirth Professor of Learning Technologies, Harvard University I applaud Drs. Kuttan and Peters for their emphasis on comprehensive, strategic approaches. As this book makes abundantly clear, the challenges are simply too great for piecemeal solutions. — Mario Morino, Chairman, Morino Institute The authors should be congratulated. This book represents an important contribution in the search for answers to how all people can benefit from the technological changes now rapidly underway, not just the most fortunate. — Major R. Owens, US Congressman and senior member of the House Education and Workforce Committee Dr. Appu Kuttan and Dr. Laurence Peters present a clear and comprehensive discussion of the complex issues surrounding the digital divide. They also provide well-researched and practical solutions to the technological inequity that has divided and threatens to continue to divide nations and the world into groups of haves and have-nots. The book is in many ways a reality check as Kuttan and Peters skillfully lead the readers through detailed and intricate data that place them face-to-face with the truth about technological inequity in the United States and the world...well-organized and readable...accessible to all readers including those who may be interested in the issues of the digital divide without possessing the technical jargon and expertise that is often required in order to understand most books in specific technical fields like technology. Computers In The Schools In this information age, education and Internet are apt equalizers that empower the disadvantaged. At a time when we need to provide digital opportunities for everyone, this book lays out a game plan that blends wisdom, compassion and practical experience. — Jack Kemp, former HUD secretary and co-founder, Empower America This important book highlights ways the digital divide goes well beyond issues of access. The authors provide insights into interactive media that empower the dispossessed and aid all people to "find their voices. — Chris Dede, Timothy E. Wirth Professor of Learning Technologies, Harvard University

Appu Kuttan is the founder and chairman of Cyberlearning, a national education foundation. He is a noted management and education systems innovator and the creator of many terms including “Cyberlearning”, “Management by Systems”, “Total Tennis”, and “Holistic Executive”. Laurence Peters directs the Mid-Atlantic Regional Education in Technology Consortium (MAR*TEC), one of ten federally funded centers that provides states and school districts with technical assistance services. Dr. Peters formerly served as a Senior Policy Advisor at the US Department of Education and as counsel to the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Select Education and Civil Rights. He currently teaches at the University of Maryland and is president of Edusolutions123, an education consulting firm.