Digital Nation: Toward an Inclusive Information Society.

• Author: Edwards, Yolanda D.
• Position: Book Review

Digital Nation: Toward an Inclusive Information Society, Anthony G. Wilhelm, Cambridge, Mass., MIT Press, 2004, 184 pages.

In the dawn of the information age, technological literacy and access are no longer optional, but are essential. As more routine tasks such as applying for jobs, obtaining general information, and banking and shopping move into cyberspace, those without access are finding themselves marginalized, on the outside looking in. The "Digital Divide" refers to the increasingly disparate access to, knowledge of, and use of technology in this country that is a function of race or ethnic group, physical disability, income, education, gender, household composition, age, and location. Simply stated, the Digital Divide is the gap between those who can effectively use communication and information tools such as the Internet and those who cannot. Without question, technological literacy has taken its seat at the table with the three R's (1) as an essential skill for successfully navigating society in the twenty-first century. The remaining question is: Will all citizens benefit from the information society, or only a select few?

Anthony G. Wilhelm's Digital Nation: Toward an Inclusive Information Society goes beyond simply identifying the existence of the Digital Divide. He candidly illustrates the challenges marginalized sectors of society are experiencing in a rapidly changing information age and proposes solutions for society to address technological literacy and access issues as it works to keep pace with emerging technologies. In a society where there is a clear gap separating the information-haves from the information-have-nots, Wilhelm poses the possibility of harnessing the immense potential of information and communication technologies giving rise to a true Digital Nation--one that is both inclusive and productive. In an information-driven society, a nation's success depends on the ability of its citizens to navigate information technology proficiently. Digital Nation provides an ambitious, yet achievable roadmap by which the United States can ensure that every citizen is equipped with the essential skills to navigate society as we move further into the information age.

In Chapter two, entitled "Everybody Should know the Basics, Like How to Use a Computer," the author explains how the basics must be supplemented with a set of cognitive and technical skills that lead to broader participation in a technology-reliant global society. Wilhelm highlights that schools are not adequately training teachers and are not adjusting the curriculum to meet the growing demands of advancing technologies; adult education centers have been "standoffish" with technology; and government officials have taken a "sluggish" approach to equipping citizens with the skills and information needed to access internet-based government services. (2) Wilhelm also identifies the types of skills and competencies required for basic technological fluency and highlights that there is no prevailing standard for what constitutes fluency. According to the author, the National Research Council (NRC) offers the broadest approach used to identify the types of skills required for fluency, encompassing three skill sets: proficiency in using communications tools, understanding the underpinnings of these tools, and the ability to evaluate the opportunities and limitations of these devices. (3) The author deftly uses hypothetical examples juxtaposed between actual examples of best practices in the United States and other countries to illustrate his point that the ability to access and use information technology is no longer merely optional; technical fluency is becoming a required skill as governments and businesses move more of their information services exclusively online.

Another dimension of the Digital Nation agenda involves benchmarking strides in literacy development and technology access. Digital Nation explores the progress other nations are making in advancing technology and digital literacy to the masses. Costa Rica, for example, has deployed fiber optic technologies and networking facilities throughout the nation in a plan that is fully integrated into its human development, economic, and environmental plans. (4) Wilhelm argues that timetables for reaching universal diffusion of...