Education and Technology: Key Issues and Debates

Introduction

In an era where digital tools are reshaping every aspect of our lives, the intersection of education and technology has become a terrain of intense debate and critical inquiry. Neil Selwyn’s Education and Technology: Key Issues and Debates offers a refreshingly thoughtful and balanced exploration of the promises, pitfalls, and paradoxes that define the role of digital technologies in teaching and learning. This revised edition invites readers to step beyond the hype and examine the real-world implications of technology in classrooms, universities, and beyond. For Indian educators, students, and policymakers navigating the rapid digitisation of education, this book provides a vital compass for understanding what technology can—and cannot—achieve.

Book Overview

Published by Bloomsbury Academic in a durable hardcover edition, Education and Technology: Key Issues and Debates is a comprehensive guide to the most pressing questions surrounding digital education. Neil Selwyn challenges simplistic narratives, urging readers to consider the social, cultural, and political dimensions of technology use. The book does not merely celebrate innovation; it interrogates it. Through eight carefully structured chapters, Selwyn examines topics ranging from the history of educational technology to the future of schools and universities. This is not a how-to manual but a thought-provoking companion for anyone who wants to think critically about the digital transformation of learning.

Key Highlights

• Critical perspective that goes beyond techno-optimism to explore the complexities of technology in education.
• Revised and updated edition with fresh insights into contemporary debates, including data privacy, AI in education, and the digital divide.
• Focus on people and practices, not just tools—examining how educators, students, and institutions actually engage with technology.
• Global relevance with examples and issues that resonate strongly in the Indian context, such as unequal access to digital resources.
• Accessible yet rigorous writing that balances academic depth with clarity for a broad readership.

Inside the Book

The book is organised around eight core chapters, each tackling a fundamental question. Selwyn begins by asking what we really know about technology and learning, then moves to explore the role of the teacher in a digital age, the individualisation of education through technology, and the future of schools and universities. He also delves into the history of educational technology, the politics of digital education, and the often-overlooked connections between technology and inequality. Each chapter is rich with real-world examples, research findings, and thoughtful analysis, making abstract debates tangible and relevant.

Key Topics

• Will technology replace the teacher? A critical look at automation and expertise.
• Does technology make education more individualised? The promise and reality of personalised learning.
• What can we learn from the history of technology in education? Lessons from past failures and successes.
• The digital divide in India: access, equity, and the risk of widening gaps.
• Data, surveillance, and the ethics of digital learning platforms.
• The future of the university in an age of online learning and MOOCs.
• Technology and the changing nature of knowledge and authority.
• How policy and politics shape the adoption of technology in schools.

Reader Benefits

By engaging with this book, readers will gain a nuanced understanding of the relationship between education and technology, moving beyond surface-level debates. Educators will find practical insights for integrating technology thoughtfully into their teaching. Students of education, sociology, and technology studies will acquire a solid foundation for academic research. Policymakers and school leaders will be better equipped to make informed decisions about digital investments. Most importantly, readers will learn to ask the right questions—questions that challenge assumptions and open up new possibilities for a more equitable and meaningful education system.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically evaluate the claims made about technology and learning.
• Understand the social and political forces that shape technology use in education.
• Identify the key debates surrounding digital tools in classrooms and universities.
• Analyse the impact of technology on teachers, students, and institutions.
• Develop a more informed perspective on the future of education in a digital world.

Who Should Read

This book is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students in education, sociology, and technology studies. It is equally valuable for school teachers, college lecturers, and university administrators who want to think critically about the tools they use. Researchers and scholars will appreciate the depth of analysis and the wealth of references. Parents, journalists, and anyone curious about the role of technology in shaping young minds will find this book an eye-opening and rewarding read. In the Indian context, where digital education initiatives are expanding rapidly, this book offers a much-needed dose of critical reflection.

About the Author

Neil Selwyn is a distinguished professor and researcher at Monash University, Australia, where he focuses on the sociology of digital technology in education. He is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading critical voices on educational technology, with numerous books and articles that challenge conventional wisdom. Selwyn’s work is known for its clarity, depth, and willingness to ask uncomfortable questions about power, inequality, and the hidden costs of digital innovation. His insights are invaluable for anyone seeking to understand the real-world impact of technology on learning and society.

About the Publisher

Bloomsbury Academic is a prestigious imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing, known for producing high-quality scholarly works that bridge theory and practice. With a strong reputation in the fields of education, social sciences, and humanities, Bloomsbury Academic brings rigorous editorial standards and a global perspective to every title. This hardcover edition reflects the publisher’s commitment to durable, lasting resources that serve students, researchers, and professionals alike.

Conclusion

Education and Technology: Key Issues and Debates is not just another book about gadgets and apps. It is a thoughtful, critical, and deeply human examination of how technology is reshaping one of society’s most fundamental institutions. Neil Selwyn invites us to pause, reflect, and engage with the big questions that often get lost in the rush to digitise. For Indian readers—whether you are a teacher in a government school, a student in a university, or a policymaker shaping the future of education—this book is an indispensable resource. Order your copy from Bookshops.in today and join the conversation that will define the future of learning.