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 I was looking for a video for my assignment in Module 4, I use a video-on-demand through Dish Network. We currently have Netflix and Blockbuster OnDemand. I found the movie in Blockbuster OnDemand for free, so that is the one that I used. It was very easy to rent, and I was able to pause it in one room and finish watching it in another room.

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.

I think that it is neither. The competition between DVDs and video-on-demand is more of an example of Disruptive Technology or Wild Card, which is a new technology that suddenly appears and creates a brand new way of thinking about a technological task (Laureate Education).

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

I think DVDs and video-on-demand are on the Extension/Enhancement quadrant of the four criteria of McLuhan’s tetrad. According to McLuhan’s law, the technology does something new (Thornburg). We are still viewing DVD, but how we get them into/onto our big screen is what has been enhanced.

Reference:
Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). Disruptive Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Thornburg, D. D. (2008). Emerging technologies and McLuhan’s Laws of Media. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.


Blogs that I responded to:
http://tech21today.blogspot.com/2012/11/red-queens-and-increasing-returns.html?showComment=1352753827200#c624686263662160125

http://robertjking777.blogspot.com/2012/11/red-queens-and-increasing-returns.html?showComment=1352754001111#c6938737534413313104

Disruptive Power of Second Life

How is Second Life a disruptive technology?
According to Dr. Thornburg (Laureate, 2009), disruptive technologies are those that may change the way things are done, but have the same abilities and functions of the old technology while functioning more efficiently and effectively. Second Life was launched in 2003 and it enables the users to interact in virtual worlds and socialize in real-time with user created avatars. Second Life is considered a disruptive technology because it surfaced rather quickly. It applies technology to create virtual worlds that have the can and possible will replace traditional computer games, and possibly change traditional face-to-face and distance learning.

What technology or innovation did it displace? Second Life enhanced the video gaming technology. It allowed the user to become more involved in the process or the game, and the effects of 3D made it more realistic.

How many years do you think Second Life has left before another emerging technology or disruptive technology replaces it?
In 2008, Linden Lab in cooperation with IBM pioneered an open virtual world grid. The avatars that the users created would be able to travel freely between Second Life and OpenSim virtual worlds. According to Livingstone, OpenSim offers institutions greater control over their virtual worlds and greater ability to make backups using virtual assets called XML-based archive formats.
What are the social benefits of Second Life, and what might be the social implications of virtual worlds in your industry?
Second Life gives companies the option to create virtual workplaces to allow employees to meet, hold events, practice corporate communications, collaboration, conduct training sessions in 3D immersive virtual learning environment, simulation of business process, and prototype new products (Wikipedia).

Reference
Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). Emerging and future technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.


Livingstone, D. (2011). Second Life is dead, long live Second Life? Retrieved from
http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Review/EDUCAUSEReviewMagazineVolume46/SecondLifeIsDeadLongLiveSecond/226180

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Second Life. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Life%23Education


Blogs that I responded to:
http://baedutech.blogspot.com/2012/10/disruptive-technologies-educ-8848.html?showComment=1351444569727#c7750702053814125006

http://sarahdwaldenu.blogspot.com/2012/10/disruptive-powers-of-second-life.html?showComment=1351445114467#c5392861095342783726

Rhymes of History Technology

Module #3 Assignment
Someone once said, “The future will be like the past, only with cooler toys.” This quote is useful in understanding the force of rhymes of history. Review Dr. Thornburg’s video, "Rhymes of History." You may also wish to view Kevin Kelly’s speech, "The Next 5,000 Days of the Web," which can be found in your Optional Resources. In this video, Kelly predicts three ways that the web will be transformed over the next 5,000 days—embodiment, restructuring, and codependency.

An example of a technology that represents a rhyme in history is Skype.  Skype is a Voice Over Internet Protocol and software application. It was established in 2003 by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis.  It is now owned and operated by Microsoft since 2011. It allows users that have signed up for an user ID and password to communicate with peers, family, and friends that also have a user name and password through voice, video, and instant messaging free of charge to members. Users save money by using Skype instead of their cellphones or home telephones, and they get face-to-face interaction with people that they need to speak with. 

I currently use Skype on my desktop at home, but I struggle with using it on my MacBook. I have used it primarily to have face-to-face interactions with my colleagues in my Specialist classes and Walden University. We are able to meet to discuss group projects and share ideas or items that we have created for the current assignments. 

References:

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/home

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skype

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VoIP

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niklas_Zennstr%C3%B6m

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janus_Friis

http://seattletimes.com/html/microsoftpri0/2016502497_microsoft-skype_deal_closes.html

Blogs that I responded to:

http://helloworld-educationaltechnology.blogspot.com/

http://vmstevens.blogspot.com/2012/10/module-3-rhymes-of-history-technology.html

Emerging Technologies Tetrad

Module #2 Assignment: Transistor

Enhances: It is a semi-conductor that is used to amplify and switch electronic signals and electric power. Key component to all electronics.

Obsoletes: vacuum "electron" tube

Retrieves/Rekindles:  Has the ability to use a small signal applied between one pair of its terminals to control a much larger signal at another pair of terminals. A transistor can control its output in proportion to the input signal; that is, it can act as an amplifier.

Reverses:  vacuum tubes that have an improved electron mobility and can function at a higher voltage.

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transistor

Replica of 1st transistor

Blogs that I responded to:

http://sededtech.blogspot.com

http://vmstevens.blogspot.com

Identify an Emerged Technology

Since I work in the field of education, we have a wide variety of technology at our finger tips. A current technology that has emerged in the last few years that shapes learning or productivity in education is CPS Units (Classroom Response System).

There have been a lot of problems associated with the CPS units. For example, when we first received the units to try in our classrooms, the remotes would change modes at random. This would cause a huge problem especially when we had a multiple choice test or quiz. When the mode would change it would only allow the student to insert numbers which would in turn cause the student to enter the wrong answer. Also, the program on the computer would not receive answers is the remotes were not set to off before the lesson was engaged. At the time we had no idea about this little problem.

The benefits of using the remotes allows teachers to save time since they do not have to hand grade quizzes and tests anymore that are multiple choice. I know that there are scantrons, but the CPS program will give instant feedback of who missed what question. Teachers are able to pull question analysis reports so that they can remediate students immediatly on questions that they struggle with.

Some of the ways that CPS remotes could be improved is by fixing the small problems associated with the remotes. Having the remotes where they do not change modes is one way that they can be improved. Teachers struggle with technology in the classroom especially if all the remotes change modes at one time. Sometimes having a back up plan is more complicated than the original plan.

www.einstruction.com/
http://sites.fcps.org/trt/cps_remotes




Blogs that I responded to for Module 1:

Tina Ransey: http://transey.blogspot.com/2012/09/module-1-blog-post.html?showComment=1347833764820#c2013865398806791810

Cynthia Muna: http://helloworld-educationaltechnology.blogspot.com/