Richard N. Katz

"Dancing with the Devil: Information Technology and the New Competition in Higher Education" is fascinating not only for the way it addresses the wicked problem of effectively incorporating technology into learning, but for how contemporary it continues to be more than 12 years after publication in a field of study that feels as if it is evolving faster than we can document that evolutionary process. The book, furthermore, serves as a valuable resource for those involved in workplace learning and performance (staff training) programs as well as with libraries, museums, and other organizations with clear and vital roles to play in lifelong learning. The various writers who contributed to "Dancing" cover a variety of timely themes: learning opportunities that are available anywhere and anytime that learners can access them; "the need for new thinking about property rights, risk sharing, royalties, residuals, and other cost-sharing and compensation strategies" (pp. 44-45); and reminders that online learning isn't necessarily or even inherently less costly than face-to-face learning--a valuable response to those who mistakenly promote online learning primarily as a way to reduce expenses (pp. 90-91). With "Dancing with the Devil" in our hands, the challenges we face as trainer-teacher-learners are clearly defined--and much in need of our attention.… (altro)