Module 4 Responses

Yolonda Lyons-

http://lyons7108.blogspot.com/

Brandy Collins 

http://bcollinsemergingandfuturetechnologies.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-disruptive-power-of-second-life.html?showComment=1343481923601#c8038984189972987120

Blog Module 4

The Disruptive Power of Second Life 

Thornburg (2009) discussed that a disruptive technology are new technologies with the same operating ability as a current technology; however the function is superior to what is currently available. Disruptive technology can be dissected into two types; the first, a technology that does not create a new market, but changes the product, or second, a new technology that disrupts existing technology and makes it obsolete (Christensen, 2002).

Second Life and many other virtual worlds are considered the future of the Internet, while some view it as the next fad that is making our way through our society. So, how does one begin to look at this as a disruptive technology? Phillip Rosedale (2008), delivered a lecture on Second Life in which he discussed how he hoped the technology would change the way people produced and consumed information on the web. This virtual world technology will allow people to directly experience information, rather than viewing any abstract information.

Second Life, I do not believe is a disruptive technology now; however it is on its way to be. We as humans are instinctively social by nature, and when this technology becomes readily available there will be many that will wish to try it (Rosedale, 2008).

What technology or innovation did it replace? Second Life has the potential to completely replace gamin systems and technology. With the ability to access virtual worlds, many may see no need to play games.  

How many years do you think Second Life has left before another emerging technology replaces it? There is no one technology that is secure for any amount of time before the potential of another technology comes along (Laureate Education Inc., 2009). It could be as soon as next week or the Second Life technology cold be dominant for many years to come.

What are the social benefits of Second Life, and what might be the social implications of virtual worlds in your industry? Second Life can be used to encourage creativity, imagination, and diverse experiences (Rosedale, 2008). With this technology participants are able to experience things that are not available in their everyday life. In the field of education, students would be able to learn first hand through this virtual world, rather than viewing a video or reading text. It allows the content to be experienced first hand.

References

Christensen, C. (2002). The innovation economy: How technology is transforming existing industries and creating new ones [Video Podcast]. Laureate Education, Inc.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Disruptive Technologies. Baltimore: Author.

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

Module 3 Responses

Yolonda Lyons-

http://lyons7108.blogspot.com/

Twanna Stiff

http://stiff7108.blogspot.com/

Module 3- Heather Rogers

Blog Post- Module 3

Rhymes of History

It is built in our nature to possess a desire to explore the unknown, whether a group of individuals sail across an ocean, explore desolate land or travel into space. As society evolves we created ways for the average individual to please this desire, with museums, zoos, planetariums, etc. we are able to experience not so average every day items. Now, in today’s society technological innovations has played a vast role in the downplaying of these places (Laureate Education Inc., 2009).

It is evident that the average person in society will not experience an adventure into space. For generation after generation there has been an interest in outer space, possible because it can be viewed as the most distant form of exploration. When I was younger I would use a telescope or books to “explore” space, now there is a vast array of technology that allows for the same exploration in a more realistic state. Kelly (2007) discussed how the Internet evolves and as it continues to evolve we can expect a wider spread of digital worlds.  

The Apple application Star Walk is amongst the most popular space exploration apps available today. This application allows you to point your phone and see the constellations and other celestial bodies in space at exactly that time. I have used this application with my students on many occasions when teaching the unit on stars. It not only gives them a visual other than in a book, but it becomes real when they see the stars change with the seasons.

References

Kelly, K. (2007). The next 5,000 days of the web [speech]. Speech delivered at the EG 2007 Conference, Los Angeles. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/kevin_kelly_on_the_next_5_000_days_of_the_web.html

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Rhymes of history. Baltimore, MD: Author.