Conclusions

In Sustainable Computer Environments, Selfe offers a slightly idealistic, yet overwhelmingly practical assessment of the importance of and possibilities for creating cultures of support when designing technology-rich teaching and learning environments.  He is idealistic in that he presents his suggestions as somewhat idealized best-case-scenario goals for teachers in English studies departments and programs.  However, this idealism is effective in setting the bar high for achievement in creating the sustainable computer environments he discusses.  At the same time, Selfe's assessment is undeniably practical as he clearly recognizes the potential difficulties in implementing his best-practices and seems to account for every possible hang-up.

Selfe is more than willing to play the devil's advocate and effectively addresses potential arguments with his suggestions.  I appreciate Selfe's inclusion of actual real-world sustainable practices to back up his key points.  This adds both encouragement that his goals are achievable within the classroom as well as  credibility to his research and claims.  His examples come from a broad range of institutions and each one is supported by an individual from that school or institution.  Selfe also seems to be attempting to build a potential culture of support between his book's readers and its contributors by inviting communication and exploration between these two groups.  This is accomplished through the provision of contact information for contributors of sustainable practices including Stuart Selber, Michael Palmquist, and Judy Williamson, allowing motivated readers to potentially interact and learn more about these best practices from their current practitioners.

As evidenced by the extensive inclusion of sustainable practices and contact information for their developers, Selfe does not intend for this book to be an end in and of itself.  While the book is effective in its own right, it seems to me that the book would be most effective if it were reincarnated as hypertext or as an interactive e-book, allowing it to become a centralized hub for its related links and invitations to further explore topics discussed in the book.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book for anyone working in any capacity in the English Studies and Language Arts who wants to be an influential part in creating new technology-rich learning environments or improving already-existing programs.