Overview

Richard Selfe's stated purpose for his book, Sustainable Computer Environments is to describe for teachers, administrators and staff members in English studies departments and programs "how to create a robust, sustainable system of support for technology-rich teaching and learning efforts" (Selfe, Preface). Selfe begins the book by acknowledging the difficulties inherent in these endeavors due to both the rapidly changing developments in technology and the ongoing lack of sufficient professional development and innovative infrastructures to support teachers and students in building effective technological systems for teaching.

However, Selfe firmly believes in the possibilities for developing sustainable technology-rich learning environments and endeavors to provide examples of already existing sustainable practices and best practices for potential development.  The first two of many sustainable practices come from Ball State University, a strong example of Selfe's "cultures of support" and BreadNet, a literature-based graduate program for K-12 teachers of English and language arts that supports teachers with on-campus learning in the summer and continued support throughout the year via a networked computer system.

Selfe's goal is to re-enfranchise teachers in the technology decision-making process by encouraging them to become "technological activists: folks who manage and shape technological change rather than simply falling prey to it" (Selfe, pg. 146).