This first theory update focuses on what is frequently called 'participatory media' - the traditional print encyclopedia versus Wikipedia, mass media versus social media, broadcast television versus YouTube, top 40 radio versus SoundCloud or Spotify, newspapers versus blogs. The effect is to create knowledge ecologies and cultural relations which are less hierarchical (experts speak while knowledge seekers listen) and more horizontal (peer-to-peer). The underlying change is a shift in the 'balance of agency' in the representation and communication of human meanings. Not all of the changes are good, or the structures of the new media necessarily compatible with democratic values ... To what extent have we in education kept up with these changes? Here is a paper where we discuss some of these ideas:

Cope and Kalantzis: New Media, New Learning

Comment: What has happened to media since the internet? What are the implications for education? Have we educators kept up with the changing times?

Make an Update: Take one area of media, or one example of a new media transition - from our recent past, or even a possible imminent transition. Describe the changes that are afoot. What are the media theorists saying about this? Name a theorist or theory and apply the theoretical concept they are advocating (e.g. 'peer-to-peer', 'crowdsourcing', 'participatory'). What does this mean for education? In this and your other updates, use new media to convey your message, making the most of Scholar's own new media capacities to include images (infographics and the like), documents, videos, embedded media etc.

Also, of direct relevance to those participants who work in online higher education, as professors we're going to include some video self-reflections on our own pedagogical practice. Hopefully, these will be of interest to participants at all levels of education.