Distrusting Educational Technology - Critical of Digital Policy

In this review of Distrusting Educational Technology the author Neil Selwyn offers a rigorous critique for readers who want to interrogate the enthusiasm around digital tools in schools. The book's single biggest reason to read it is its sustained argument that seemingly neutral educational technologies have political and economic effects, steering education toward marketized, individualistic outcomes. This review highlights how the book blends theoretical critique with empirical examples to challenge assumptions about virtual education, open courses, games, and social media in learning.

Key Features

• Critical analysis: The book systematically uncovers how policy and practice around educational technology often reflect neoliberal values rather than neutral pedagogical aims, prompting readers to reassess common narratives.
• Theoretical range: Drawing on diverse theoretical perspectives gives readers tools to critique both the ideology and the rhetoric used to promote digital education.
• Empirical examples: Detailed examinations of virtual education and open courses provide concrete cases that show how technology choices shape educational practice.
• Focus on specific technologies: Coverage of digital games and social media demonstrates how popular tools can reinforce individualistic tendencies in schooling environments.
• Public good argument: The text persuasively argues that education as a public good is eroded when technology supports market-driven models, useful for policy discussion and academic debate.

Who It's For

Distrusting Educational Technology is best for education researchers, policy makers, and graduate students who want a scholarly critique of technology in schools and higher education. Those engaged in curriculum planning or institutional leadership will find the arguments useful for framing technology decisions within wider social and political contexts.

Practitioners seeking hands-on how-to guides for implementing particular systems, or readers expecting technical product reviews and step-by-step deployment advice, should look elsewhere; this book is analytic rather than instructional.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear critical framework that helps readers identify ideological assumptions behind technology adoption.
• Combines theoretical and empirical material to make abstract critiques tangible and relevant.
• Thoughtful case studies on virtual education and open courses that illuminate real-world implications.

Cons

• Not a practical guide for immediate classroom technology implementation, which may disappoint some educators seeking actionable steps.

Specifications

Title	Distrusting Educational Technology
Author	Neil Selwyn
Subject	Critical analysis of educational technology policy and practice
Topics covered	Virtual education, open courses, digital games, social media
Focus	Ideological dimensions and neoliberal influences on education
Intended audience	Researchers, policy makers, advanced students

Our Verdict

Distrusting Educational Technology is a valuable, well-argued critique for anyone wanting to question the assumed neutrality of digital tools in education. It offers strong intellectual payoffs for researchers and decision makers, making it good value for readers seeking to understand the larger social consequences of technology choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book offer practical implementation advice?
No. The book focuses on critique and analysis rather than step-by-step guidance for deploying specific technologies.

Which technologies are examined in detail?
The book examines virtual education, open courses, digital games, and social media and how they influence educational aims.

Who will benefit most from reading it?
Researchers, policy makers, and graduate students interested in the political and ideological dimensions of educational technology will benefit most.