Publishing and Societal Change

Compare the Printing Press and the Internet: 

•   Why is each invention heralded as a societal and cultural change agent though they are mere tools?

First of all, I love the quote from the excerpt that said the invention of the printing press was a highly disruptive technology.

Each invention, the printing press and the Internet, are just tools, but they have changed the way we live and the way we communicate as a society. The printing press made it possible to print Bibles and other books, but it also moved the power from the wealthy and elite to the common people. The Internet did something similar. It gives everyone the opportunity to publish and distribute their own content.

•   What do these statements have to do with a web design course for educators?

I think that the Internet is going to be the future of education and learning. The way we communicate has been totally changed with the invention of the Internet and I think the way we learn is going to follow. We can easily design websites to convey information to students so they can learn from home or even learn at their own pace on devices at school. Communication is at the center of learning and education.