Description
Book SynopsisTransforming Everything? describes broadband as a social technology and offers policymakers the necessary evidence to assess whether broadband programs are truly empowering the communities they serve.
Trade ReviewAs the world invests in new broadband initiatives to meet unmet needs and foster innovation, this book demonstrates the importance of interdisciplinary evaluation tools for effective policy making. An essential read for anyone interested in a comprehensive policy approach accounting for diversity in broadband connectivity, adoption, and use. * Tithi Chattopadhyay, Princeton University *
Broadband deployment and adoption have become one of the most pressing policy concerns both in the United States and internationally. This book provides researchers, policy makers, and students with vital insights on how to conduct sound policy evaluation, with contributions reflecting hard-won field experience. * Henning Schulzrinne, former US Federal Communications Commission Chief Technologist *
Many discuss broadband impact, but this book provides actual evidence. Drawing on approaches ranging from experiments, surveys, and spatial analysis to ethnography, this volume provides the latest documentation on broadband's availability, use, and impact. I highly recommend it for all interested in getting the most out of digital connectivity. * Darrell West, Brookings Institution *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Editors Contributors Introduction: Broadband as Experimentation and Policy Learning Karen Mossberger, Eric W. Welch, and Yonghong Wu PART I Evaluation In the Context of Broadband 1. The Changing Context for Broadband Evaluation William Lehr PART II Diverse Methods 2. Measuring Broadband and Its Impacts John B. Horrigan 3. Using Random Experiments to Measure the Impact of Computers, the Internet, and Other Forms of Technology on Educational Outcomes Robert Fairlie 4. Broadband Adoption and Ethnographic Approaches Jessica Crowell 5. Addressing Spatial Inequality in Broadband Use and Community- Level Outcomes Caroline J. Tolbert, Karen Mossberger, Natasha Gaydos, and Mattia Caldarulo PART III Asking the Right Questions 6. Broadband for Telemedicine and Health Services Sharon Strover 7. Opportunities and Challenges in Advancing Broadband- Enabled Government Services Alfred T. Ho 8. Digital Media's Impact on Civic Engagement: Challenges and Opportunities for Evaluation Research on Broadband Technologies, Young People, and Citizen Engagement Michael A. Xenos Conclusion: Evaluation for the Broadband Future Eric W. Welch
