Module 5 - Red Queens and Increasing Returns

When you decided to obtain a DVD for your science fiction assignment in Module 4, where did you go to find a movie based on a Philip K. Dick book? Did you rent or purchase a DVD, or did you view it digitally on your computer using Netflix or a similar vendor of video-on-demand?

When being assigned to watch a movie based on a Philip K. Dick book, I chose to view it using through my TV by utilization of Netflix via internet TV.  Almost all the movie my family and I watch are viewed using the Netflix service or through recorded events on our DVR (digital video recorder).  

Is the current competition between DVDs and video-on-demand an example of increasing returns or Red Queens? Justify your response with sound reasoning and specific examples.

The competition between DVDs (digital video disks) and VOD (video on demand) is the type of competition described by Thornburg (2009).  The competition he refers to is when two innovations become available to the public around the same time and one of the innovations begins to drive the other to nonexistence.    Because of the fierce competition between these two technologies I would consider is an example of Red Queens.

Where do you think DVDs and video-on-demand are on the four criteria of McLuhan’s tetrad?

I believe that of the four criteria of McLuhan’s (1988) tetrad, DVDs and video of demand are both currently in the “enhances” quadrant.  This is so because the qualities of individuals’ lives have been enhanced by both of the technologies.  In such a unpredictable economy these innovations allow an inexpensive way for families to spend quality family time together.

McLuhan, M., & McLuhan, E. (1988). Laws of media: The new science. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Thornburg, D. D. (2009). Increasing returns and red queens. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=5797856&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1


BV

Module 4 - The Disruptive Power of Second Life

How is Second Life a disruptive technology?

Second Life is a disruptive technology because it creates a virtual world which allows individuals to create alternant virtual personalities.  In this day in time humans are very social beings.  Many people find this experience as a way to become someone they not feel comfortable with in the “real world”.

What technology or innovation did it displace?

Even though it has not done so yet, Second Life has the possibility to displace online dating sites or other social media.

How many years do you think Second Life has left before another emerging technology or disruptive technology replaces it?

In my opinion, I feel that it will be upwards of ten years before another technology replaces Second Life.  I haven’t actually tried it myself; however I did watch a documentary program on TV in which people used it.  From what I saw, this site has a huge following of extremely dedicated individuals.  

What are the social benefits of Second Life, and what might be the social implications of virtual worlds in your industry?

One of the benefits for Second Life could be for people who may have severe social anxieties when in a crowd of “in-the-flesh” people.  It could also be a welcome connection with the world for people who may have physical limitation that have confined them to their home.  However, some people may become so infatuated with their “life” on the website that their actual life becomes nonexistent.  Friends and jobs may be sacrificed if one becomes overly involved in Second Life.    

http://secondlife.com/

Module 3 - Rhymes of History Technology

This assignment has brought to mind the interactive whiteboards that are so prevalent in classrooms today.  In the school where I teach every classroom has either a Mimio or Promethean interactive whiteboard installed.  I use mine for everything from showing videos to posting homework.  These interactive whiteboards or Smart boards rekindle from the past the need of an overhead projector to display information to the whole class or the AVerKey to show whole-class videos from the internet.  This technology continues to develop and move forward.  Now instead of the teacher giving all the information via this technology, the teacher can receive information from the students.  With the use of the Activote clickers for the Promethean and the Mimiovote clickers for the Mimio, students my now become a part of the lesson by answering questions.  Thornburg (2009), states that it is the affect of the technology that is rekindled not the technology itself.
References:

Thornburg. D. (2009). Rhymes of History. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved April 11, 2012 from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn

 www.prometheanplanet.com  

http://www.mimio.dymo.com/en-NA.aspx

Module 2 - Emerging Technologies Tetrad

Enhances - With the Lytro camera images can be focused after the picture has been developed. With this you can take a picture and focus on lots of different objects and make multiple pictures out of that one.

Obsoletes - This camera could replace the digital cameras of today. With today's cameras one focuses on an object and takes the picture. This will no longer be necessary. The photographer can just take a picture and play with it until it is to their liking.

Retrieves - This camera retrieves the memory of the 3D camera which processes the ability to take pictures which can be developed and viewed in 3D using special glasses.

Reverses - The Lytro camera could one day be replaced with cameras with enough megapixels to zoom into anything. Such technology was used at the Obama inauguration. One can zoom in on an individual's face out of thousands of people.  Take a look, it is amazing!

http://www.davidbergman.net/blog/how-i-made-a-1474-megapixel-photo-during-president-obamas-inaugural-address/

http://www.lytro.com/#

BV

Module 1 - Identify an Emerged Technology

One technology which has emerged in the last few years in the field of education is the Smart Boards or interactive white boards.  This technology turns a dusty chalkboard into an interactive learning experience.  With the utilization of a Smart Board such as a MIMIO or a Promethean, teachers can demonstrate concepts in ways that a regular dry erase board could not offer.  In a world where technology is second nature to our young students, the Smart Boards allows them an opportunity to learn from something they are comfortable with. 

            Despite all its advantages, these boards have posed some challenges since their introduction into schools.  In an economy which is anything but flourishing, the cost of the board prohibits some classroom from having this convenience.  The expenditure of the boards has caused some schools to even purchase a few with the purpose of sharing among all the teachers.  Training is another challenge among teachers who have had the privilege of working with the Smart Boards.  Again, the failing economy has caused some school, such as mine, to cut in the area of workshops and travel.  Without adequate training the Smart Boards are merely classroom decoration which offers no meaningful learning experiences to the students.

            To avoid the purchasing and nonuse do to lack of knowhow, companies which sell these products could offer to the school which purchase them free staff training to teach operation and implementation to teachers.  Free webinars could also be provided if the company had no way of offering an actually person to do the training.  The Promethean website has done a good job of offering tutorials which demonstrate basic use as well as more advance ways to use their product.        

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/