EDUC 8848 Module 4 - Disruptive Technologies

Disruptive technology is a new technology that performs the same function of an existing technology, which it obsoletes, and it is often cost-effective (Laureate, 2009). Second life is a 3D virtual community where exist avatar representing a real person. Second life is a disruptive technology as its use of the virtual world makes it cost effective, and part of its characteristics is social networking. The evolution of second life will be bigger than what is available on the web (Rosedale, 2008). The web gives access to information through text and images. In virtual worlds, access to information is through iconic symbols that can be used with human beings. The experience of creating, consuming and exploring the information is intrinsically social (Rosedale, 2008). It might likely obsolete websites based on 2D technology or virtual entertainment.

The life span of second life might not exceed the next three to five years considering the rate of emergence of new technologies. However, enhancement of the user interface and other facilities on the platform might add value to usage. The social benefits include the ability of users to create a space to suit their needs and socialize; reduce environmental impact of travels; retain intellectual property to their creation, and collaboration and communication among users across the world. The use of avatars gives users comfort in participating within a community without real identity, especially introverts. The social implications of virtual worlds in education are numerous. Educators use it to design learning objects that makes learning attractive, visual simulation processes and creating a virtual classroom. It is a tool for distance education, which might make learners feel more comfortable to collaborate and participate effectively in their courses.

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Disruptive technologies [Video webcast]. Retrieved from http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/Walden/EDUC/8848/04/downloads/WAL_EDUC8848_04_B_EN-CC.zip

Rosedale, P. (2008). Second Life [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html.

EDUC 8848 Module 3 - Rhymes of History

With civilization, the world is forging ahead with history not being repeated, but with rhymes of modern inventions. Humans use writing implements to record and convey their thoughts and feelings. The recorded information is what generations yet unborn as at the time of writing read and use to know about who they are, and what has transpired in the past. The history of writing implements dates back to around 4000BC. Man keeps a record by scratching the surface of clay tablet with a bronze or bone tool. Thereafter, the Egyptians developed writing on papyrus scrolls using thin brushes, and subsequently was writing on parchment with a quill pen. The invention of metal pen point, fountain pen, ball point pen and roller ball pens changed writing styles as they evolved. In 1997, was the evolution of ring pen, which do not require three fingers for gripping (Grandee Corp., n.d.).

However, technological advancement in terms of record keeping has made use of pens to be obsolete. People now keep records on their computers, and where such records are of utmost importance, external storage devices are used for safe-keeping and ease of access. The miniaturization of the storage devices enables people to carry their records around. The impact of the various inventions rekindles something from the distant past (Laureate Inc., 2009). The storage devices rekindle the clay tablets used to record and store information over 6000 years ago. Moving forward, do people really need to carry physical devices? Will technology allow people to retrieve their information anywhere at the touch of just a button? This leads to Kelly’s opinion on codependency stating “Total personalization in this new world will require transparency”. I do not want consider a touch (biometrics) or “Google it”, but probably ability to talk with a machine (voice recognition) and retrieve my information anywhere I go. I do not need any writing implement, be it a pen or keyboard. The “Cloud” serves as the tablet, papyrus and paper of old. Would this fall in place with Kelly’s idea “Humans are going to be the extended senses of a machine” or McLuhan’s idea “Machines are the extended senses of humans”?

References

Grandee Corp. (n.d.). History of Writing Instruments. Retrieved October 8, 2012 from http://www.ringpen.com/history.html

Kelly, K. (2007, December). Kevin Kelly on the next 5,000 days of the Web [Speech]. Speech delivered at the EG 2007 Conference, Los Angeles. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_kelly_on_the_next_5_000_days_of_the_web.html

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Rhymes of History[Video webcast]. Retrieved from http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/Walden/EDUC/8848/03/downloads/WAL_EDUC8848_03_C_EN-CC.zip