Media Ecology and the 21st Century Classroom

Abstract

This chapter will use media ecology theory to examine educational technology and provide tools for educators to think critically about how to positively affect the learning climate through media choices. In order to do this, the chapter will provide an overview of media ecology theory and explain how media can be studied as environments. Next the chapter will look at several educational trends which are having a media ecological impact in current education. Specifically, the chapter will consider online, hybrid and flipped classrooms as part of the educational media ecology. Next the chapter will examine several emerging media technologies which are poised to have an intense media ecological impact on education. Finally, the chapter will provide researchers and educators with a few specific guidelines to use media ecology in order to think critically about decisions regarding educational media in the classroom.