THE DISRUPTIVE POWER OF SECOND LIFE

Thornburg (2009) explained disruptive technologies as a new technology which may surface without warning that has the ability to change the way things are done, but has the same functionalities of an old technology. However, it functions more efficiently. Second life can be considered as a disruptive technology because it could certainly change the traditional manner of teaching (face to face) and distance learning. I think it has displaced many of the traditional games played on personal computers and may change some of the interactive games played in the classroom. Second Life has so many users and they can all play at once. I think it will be around for awhile. However, I think Second Life or other virtual environments would have to be introduced gradually and with a tremendous amount of research that will substantiate any claims of benefiting our students educationally or raising test scores which seems to be our greatest focus. I also think the newness of virtual worlds would be intimidating to some educators as well as parents who provide assistance to children with homework because of the various levels of involvement participants may be able to engage in using that form of multimedia.

In the classroom, I think it would allow students to engage in situational learning and role playing which is beneficial to many students and may complement their learning style. I also think it has the ability to promote creativity for many students. On the other hand, I must admit my views regarding virtual worlds are quite mixed as I often view things from three several perspectives (a counselor, teacher, and a mother). I can see as an educator and a parent how it may have the potential to become a crutch for some students who lack good interpersonal skills and need interaction with their peers to develop positive social skills (something they will need beyond the K12 years). I also see it as a problem for students who have mental/psychological impairments and may lack the ability to distinguish between reality and fantasy. I think it has the potential to do more harm than good for those students. Children need to have a place to go to where they feel safe. Many parents send their children to school believing the school is a safe place for them. I think it is our job to make sure they are protected when in our care. I think as educators we must continue to educate ourselves about the new innovations in technology both the advantages and disadvantages of using them to help keep our children safe. With so many negative forces pulling at our children in many cases it has to go beyond the child and I think we have to educate the parents and make them aware of the various things their children may be able to access so they can be empowered to help us help their children.

Thornburg, D. (2009). Evolutionary technology Vodcast: In Laureate Education, Inc. Emerging and future technology.

http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?article=44-1§ion=articles

Morse Code & the Telegraph Video — History.com#first-telegraph-message

Morse Code & the Telegraph Video — History.com#first-telegraph-message

Rhymes of History

Dr. David Thornburg discuss how what he describes as “Rhymes of History” in the way technology emerges in our society and the impact it has the ability to rekindle things from the past such as social networking. The vodcast can be viewed at http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4433410&Survey=1&47=6047451&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1 .
Another example of a technology that rekindles something from the past is the fax machine. The fax machine encodes data and transmits it through the telephone. It also allows you to have a hard copy of what was transmitted. The first facsimile was patent in 1843. The first telegram was sent in 1844 allowing people to communicate miles apart. As the years progressed, newer innovations such as text messaging and emailing became other telecommunication tools we have come to rely on for the same purposes as the telegraph. Additional information can be found at the following sites:


http://www.history.com/topics/telegraph

http://www.history.com/topics/telegraph/videos#first-telegraph-message

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/kevin_kelly_on_the_next_5_000_days_of_the_web.html

http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/fax.htm

Emerging Technologies Tetrad Rev.

Emerging Technologies Tetrad

EDUC 7108

Mod 1
Responded to Burian Kitchen and Laine Pagan blogs.

EDUC 7108

An Emerged Technology

A technology that has emerged in the last few years that has shaped my industry has been the digital camera. Several years ago I worked as a special education teacher. Our class always had photo moments and I would take pictures of the completed assignments, with parents’ permission, they turned in as evidence they had mastered an objective. Often times the pictures would come out too dark or if we were involved in a special Olympic activity it wouldn’t come out at all. That became very frustrating. I recall using the digital camera for the first time and viewing the students on the screen. I thought it was so magical! If the students and I didn’t like the snapshot we would do them over. I think digital cameras can serve many functions in the classroom. You can create class projects, evidence of students work, storyboards, and students can be introduced to photography as a form of art.

As with most new innovations I think there are some challenges associated with its use. One of my initial challenges was with my memory card. There was a defect in the card so I did not use the maximum amount of storage on the card. Other challenges for consumers may be associated with the cost as they tend to cost a little more than the cameras with films. Consumers also have to purchase and charge the batteries for the cameras to function properly. Learning to operate the camera may present some problems. Many of the newer models have additional features that require the user to consult the manual, whereas for those who have the traditional Polaroid and Kodak film cameras only one or two steps are required to take a picture.

Digital cameras are not only great tools to have in the classroom, but others can benefit from them as well. What better way to preserve ones’ history than through photos and videos. Most of the cameras have video recording features. Individuals who want instant pictures are able to take shots on their cellular phones as they have digital cameras as an added feature. We live in such a fast paced society where we are accustomed to having things instantly. Having the option of obtaining the product quickly may be an added benefit. Hopefully in the very near future as the digital cameras become more emerged in our society they will become less expensive. Perhaps there will be a model that will have a built in printer like the Polaroid camera that will minimize the number of steps needed to print a photo from the computer.

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech147.shtml

http://www.wacona.com/digicam/digicam.html