In academic settings, computer technology is either already a divisive issue between administration and faculty or has the potential to become one. In essence, a power struggle is erupting over how higher education will be conducted. Battles for power are hardly ever amicable affairs, and I can understand why faculty may be tempted to portray administrators as evil conspirators. This does not make them inherently evil. In any case, power disparities can give one interest group strategic leverage over another, so I support faculty efforts to maintain a level playing field by protecting their pedagogical rights and interests.
Conflict is an inevitable and unavoidable part of organizational life.
Unfortunately, wisdom is often the first casualty of confrontation, especially when the stakes are high. Although I share and support many of Noble's social concerns and causes, when it comes to the value of the technology as a tool for distributed learning and instruction, we part company. In this paper, I will address and rebut these allegations. Ultimately, Noble's bias makes him less convincing. Speaking for myself, when it comes to information technology, I am an early adopter and advocate.