Formation of Educational Ecosystem as a Key Priority of the Russian Education Development Strategy

The article analyzes the educational ecosystem in the context of the strategic development of education. The purpose of the article is to study the experience of implementing the ecosystem approach while organizing the educational process in accordance with the challenges of the emerging information society. The article presents the basic features of the educational ecosystem and briefly describes the major changes in educational activities: the integrative nature of the content of teaching methods and tools; adaptability, co-evolution of the environment and its subjects; the theory of connectivism dwelling upon learning in the digital age. Referring to the research by V.L. Kvint and O.E. Permyakov, the authors conclude that the ecosystem approach is an essential factor for the strategic development of education. In their research, N.V. Dyorina, L.I. Savva, N.I. Rabina identified the peculiarities of forming the university innovative ecosystems. Particular attention is paid to the ideas of S. Panda on methods for studying the digital footprint of students and the use of cluster analysis of the obtained data for taking the managerial decisions. A paradigm approach, the theory of strategizing and learning models in the context of digital transformation were used during the analysis of the ecosystem approach to the educational system. The analysis of various research positions led to the conclusion that the transformation of the educational environment of a university into an eco-educational one is a comprehensive problem; its solution is in the development of an appropriate theory of education and of a corresponding eco-educational model. The article has considerable practical value because it contains recommendations and suggests approaches that can be taken into account when modernizing educational activities in higher education institutions: a step-by-step transition to the implementation of changes is necessary through the strategic planning of the development of structures and processes in the educational ecosystem of the university with the help of digital innovative technologies used for education and educational management.