"In this highly pertinent work, Dowd reveals how the organizational dynamics of our symbolic-material environments have gained a foothold in the intersection of discourse and technology. With great precision and clarity, he provides a robust systematic framework that details the technological changes that confront higher education and contemporary culture. This is a must read for anyone interested in the complex and nuanced relationships between discourse, technology, and culture." --Corey Anton, Grand Valley State University, and former president of the Media Ecology Association "In this artfully crafted book, Dowd sets his sights on the pretensions, promises, and perils of recent innovations in higher education. Using the conceptual lens of "ecologies of action," Dowd provides a robust and profoundly engaging critique of the symbolic-material complex--the words and world--that shape contemporary developments in both teaching and learning in the twenty-first century. A must read for anyone interested in diagnosing the current crisis in higher education or predicting its future opportunities." --David J. Gunkel, Northern Illinois University.