Module 5: Increasing Returns and Red Queens

Red Queens and Increasing Returns

I rented the Minority Report for my science fiction assignment in module 4.  I have been a frequent user of Netflix and Redbox when renting movies in the past and decided to search for the film between the two.  I was unable to locate the film using Redbox and could not stream the video thru Netflix.  This was one of the older films that required me to actually request the DVD by mail.  As a result of my search, I did find the competition between DVDs and video-on-demand to be great examples of red queen technologies as opposed to increasing returns technologies.   According to Dr. Thornburg (2009), an increasing return is a technology hits the market and gets locked in and drives the other technology to extinction.  Red queen technologies are when two technologies are competing and all other competitors get left behind in the process (Laureate Education, Inc, 2009).  DVDs and video-on-demand are both two technologies that seem to coexist in the marketplace because of individual personal preference.  Although video streaming is becoming more popular, there are still some who prefer DVDs and tend to keep pace with technology in buying Bluray discs.  I am a user of both DVDs and streaming and still purchase DVDs as collector’s item for some films.  I think that at this point, both of these technologies fit in the category of enhances on the McLuan’s tetrad.  I think that they have both obsolete the VHS player and tapes.

Reference

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Increasing Returns and Red Queens [Video].            Baltimore, MD: Author

Other Postings

Kristy Burrough

http://kburrough2012.blogspot.com/2013/02/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html#comment-form

Shirley Brady
http://shirleybrady7108.blogspot.com/2013/02/red-queens-and-increasing-returns.html?showComment=1361230823668#c3634602610700893267

Module 4: Disruptive Technologies

Disruptive Power of Second Life

Second Life is a virtual world created online where individuals can create avatars and socialize, interact, and buy and trade services with each other.  According to Rosedale (2008), Second Life is a world where you could create things and explore in a place where anything is possible.  Second Life has evolved as a disruptive force in technology.  Thornburg (2009) states, a disruptive technology is a new technology with the same functionality of an existing technology but functions more efficiently, less costly, and then obsoletes that technology.  Second Life is a disruptive technology in that prior to its evolution; many individuals sought video games with 2D or 3D capabilities.  Games such as SIMS were once very popular and had a similar feature of creating individuals that simulated real life.  Second Life has now replaced the use of such 3D video games and now more and more individuals are resulting to online virtual worlds.  As technology continues to advance, I think that Second Life with continue to grow and allow more and more human like capabilities.  Some of the benefits of Second Life in education are that it can provide a place for instructors to simulate classroom activities and allow students to interact and collaborate with one another.  It can also provide a solution to distance learners with the need of having some human interaction that is sometimes missed.  I also feel that before long, technology will soon replace virtual worlds with holograms that will simulate even more real and human like qualities.

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Disruptive Technologies [Video]. Baltimore, MD:    Author.
http://www.ted.com/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html

Other Responses

Nicholaus Lapoujade
http://technonico.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/module-4-second-life-and-disruptive-technologies/#comments

Kristy Burrough

http://kburrough2012.blogspot.com/2013/01/disruptive-technologies.html?showComment=1361226679618#c6871738915311949688

 

 

Module 3: Rhymes of History

Module 3-Blog 3

Technology is continuously evolving and remind of us of things from the past.  One technology that I consider to be a rhyme of history is the document camera.  Rhymes of history, according to Dr. Thornburg (2009), are the affects or impacts of a new development that rekindles something from the distant past.  The document camera is a newer technology that has emerged and allowed visual images the capabilities to be displayed on a screen.  This piece of technology has rekindled the previous uses of the chalkboard and overhead projector to serve as a visual aid to display information. The document camera allows a flexible way of projecting documents, pictures, and other objects on screen with zoom and capture options.

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Rhymes of History [Video]. Baltimore, MD:             Author.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Document_camera#History

 

Other Posting
Kristy Burrough

http://kburrough2012.blogspot.com/2013/01/rhymes-of-history.html?showComment=1361160523374#c473149445337596297

Shirley Brady

http://shirleybrady7108.blogspot.com/2013/02/rhymes-of-history-technology.html?showComment=1361160783584#c8603404344854432698

Module 2: Cloud Computing

Module 2-Blog

Cloud computing
Enhances: ability to access and share data anywhere
Obsoletes: flashdrive
Retrieves: network computer terminals
Reverses: robots with increased human thinking capabilities

 McLuhan’s tetrad focuses on four things displayed in a quadrant that new technology goes through.  One focuses on what the technology makes possible, what it obsoletes, what it retrieves from the past, and what it sets the stage for in the future (Laureate, Inc, 2009).  According to McLuhan (2009), every new medium does all four things simultaneously.  Cloud computing has emerged in the field of technology by allowing users anytime and anywhere access to data.  This technology also provides sharing capabilities without the use of a flashdrive or memory stick.  Cloud computing has gained increase popularity and use with only minor drawbacks or concerns.  One of the biggest concerns I have had a new user is the issue of security.  I have also wondered if information can be lost or unable to be retrieved.  Aside from this, I do believe that cloud computing is here to stay.

 

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). McLuhan’s tetrad [Video]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Other Responses

http://technonico.wordpress.com/2012/12/12/blog-1-module-1-from-networking-to-eversharing/#comments

http://kburrough2012.blogspot.com/2012/12/cloud-computing.html

 

 

Module 1- Emerging Technology

Module 1- Blog Emerging Technology

 

Interwrite pads are one piece of technology that has emerged in the last few years that have shaped learning for students and productivity for teachers.  At first glance, the Interwrite pads were deemed useful because it freed the teacher from being stationary in the classroom and provided mobility to walk about while still teaching to the class.  I used the technology frequently in my math classes and also allowed my students to work problems via the Interwrite pad.  The challenges with using this technology were that many teachers didn’t fully understand how to use it or find the tools useful to their content.  In addition to the infrequent uses across the subjects, connectivity began to be an issue when we were issued updated laptops.  The Bluetooth devices would not stay connected once the pad was at a distance from the computer.  I personally got frustrated with losing my connection and don’t use the technology because of this glitch. One thing that would make using this technology better would be to provide automatic updates that make it compatible with newer computers.  One of the key benefits of this technology is its ability to allow teaching and learning to occur anywhere in the classroom.  This is not a benefit if the wireless capabilities are not present.

Website link

http://legacy.einstruction.com/products/interactive_teaching/pad/

Other responses

Jacgueline: http://www.aazinaagoconsulting.com/2012/12/the-cloud/#comment-6

Kristy: http://kburrough2012.blogspot.com/2012/12/learning-management-systems.html?showComment=1355686273926#c932764994895643142

Nicolas: http://technonico.wordpress.com/2012/12/12/blog-1-module-1-from-networking-to-eversharing/#comment-34