Digital Habitats: stewarding technology for communities

by Etienne Wenger, Nancy White, John D. Smith

Technology has changed what it means for communities to “be together.” Digital tools are now part of most communities’ habitats. This book develops a new literacy and language to describe the practice of stewarding technology for communities. Whether you want to ground your technology stewardship in theory and deepen your practice, whether you are a community leader or sponsor who wants to understand how communities and technology intersect, or whether you just want practical advice, this is the book for you.

Written by Etienne Wenger, Nancy White and John D. Smith, the book brings together conceptual thinking, case studies and offers a guide for understanding how technology can help a community do what it wants to do. It gives a glimpse into the future as community and technology continue to affect and influence each other.

Genres: Education, Technology, Nonfiction

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am one of the authors of this book - full disclaimer. I hope you find it useful!

[Robert Bogue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been a part of or have led many groups in my time. Each one had a unique “feel.” Some were hyper focused, and others generally organized around a topic. Some were high technology and others decidedly not so. Developing communities has always been interesting, since some communities flourish and others languish. Understanding how communities are formed – particularly communities that exist, at least in part, in the ethereal space of our digital age – is what Digital Habitats: Stewarding Technology for Communities is all about.

Click here to read the full review

[Pi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring and uninsightful. Chapters were organized around bullet points and tables; felt like reading through a presentation. The recommendations and analysis seemed too obvious at times. It's a shame, for I think Etienne Wenger's Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation is the complete opposite: engaging and insightful.

[Patti]

I read this before it came out, and it is now one of my primary references for people thinking about technology and communities. Each time I pick it up, I'm working on a different problem for a different customer, and I always find fresh insights.

[Bonnie Zink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dated in places, but a great primer on how to develop vibrant communities. Many of the techniques are situated within the digital context, but are just as effective when used in real time, real world situations.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for community building with ol resources and tools.