Module 5 Posted to

Alexandra

http://edutechtalk.blogspot.com/

Sara Becker

http://enftechblog.blogspot.com/

Module 5 Blog

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?

In Module 4 I wanted to re-watch Total Recall, but I could not find this to rent on Netflix or at the movie rental places unless, I had a VHS player.   So I looked at the list of movies and started looking around for one of the movies on Netflix.  I found Blade Runner on Netflix and watch the movie on my computer.  I could have watched it on the television through my Blue Ray player, but chose to stream it on the computer. 

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.

 According to Thornburg when two focus each other to prevail then they are a Red Queen (2008).  The DVD or a video type of player has been around for quite some time, but with the new online streaming the DVD/video are being pushed out.   DVD will remain for a while, but for how long no one knows.  When it comes to online streaming I use Netflix, but I have found out they do not have as many new movie for online streaming.  I have recently stated using VUDU for renting moving for online streaming due to finding more up to date movies.  When it comes to offering videos on demand I still believe Netflix is the top runner, but Blockbusters is coming up beside them.

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

Currently I chose to watch most events on television or as my husband does when it comes to Nazca he uses Sirius, but as more and more on-demand become available I feel the local news will become obsolete.  It is as simple as my grandsons wanting to watch a movie or a television show, but it is not on television, they go to Netflix and pull it down.  I really believe one day television will have more on-demand then what it has today; I know my blue-ray player is set up to run Netflix, Vudu, radio, as well as Facebook.   The future for television does not look good, I know my grandchildren use the television for playing games more so then for watching it.  So as you can see in the future television as we know it might become obsolete.  

 Reference:

 McLuhan, M., & McLuhan E. (1992. Laws of Media: The New Science. University of Toronto Press.

Thornburg, D. (2008c). Red Queens, butterflies, and strange attractors: Imperfect lenses into emergent technologies. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.

Posted to Module 4

Sara Becker

http://enftechblog.blogspot.com/

Marion Bush

http://marionbush.blogspot.com/

Module 4 Second Life

How is Second Life a disruptive technology?

According to Dr. Thornburg a disruptive technology is a new technology that comes in as a silence innovation that does the same thing as the technology, but takes the place of that technology by performing the technology better than the one that it replaces (Laureate Education, Inc, 2009).   Second Life is an online virtual world, where people can meet and interact with one another.  Second Life was developed by Linden Labs in San Francisco, CA and now has over one million followers. In the world of Second Life you can develop your own avatar, which can go wherever they want too, work any type of job and meet many new friends.  As if this is not enough you can develop yourself a whole new life within a virtual world, which includes, shopping, going to school, buy land, and of course develop a romance with the right person.  The only thing about Second Life that is not real is it is all virtual and no face-to-face is going on.

What technology or innovation did it displace?

When I think about what technology second life has replaced it is hard to say.  What I do know is that I met my husband online with a social network site, but upon getting to know the person I ended up marrying, I had to chat with him and then talk to him on the phone and finally meet him in person.  This was in 2000.  Second life was introduced in 2003, which made it easier for people to meet within a virtual world and get to know each other without really meeting them in real life.  

How many years do you think Second Life has left before another emerging technology or disruptive technology replaces it?

Like all disruptive technology another will come along and replace it, but no one knows how long this will take.  I know as technology evolves it will be replaced with another new innovation. The technology I feel will replace it will be the virtual holograph. 

What are the social benefits of Second Life, and what might be the social implications of virtual worlds in your industry?

There could be many benefits for Second Life in my job, but working in the school system does not make it easy to get permission to use this type of program.  If this program could be allowed in our school, it would wonderful for students to meet other students across the globe.  The students could meet other students and become friends as well as epals.  I really feel as if Second Life would be a wonderful program to use with my middle school students.

References:

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

Second Life. (2011, October 23). Retrieved October 27, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Life

 

Module 3 Posted To

Toney

http://toneyt.blogspot.com/2011/10/rhymes-of-history.html

Sara

http://enftechblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/rhymes-of-history-technology.html

Module 3 Blog

 Written text has been around for a long time starting with the ancient Mesopotamia ncivilization, over 30,000 years ago.  The first great library was in Alexandria, this was a public library (Survivor: The History of the Library, 2001). People have been going to the library for many years to read materials, but sometimes the library had to come to the people.  When I was a little girl and wanted to get a book to read I had to wait until the Bookmobile came to our town, which was once a month.  I loved to read and like most children back in the 70’s we usually only got to read what was at home.  While I went to school I got to read books at the school, but the one thing I loved the most was the bookmobile.  I always made sure I checked out enough books to last until the bookmobile would come to town.

According to Thornburg, technology will rekindle the past and the ones I feel have rekindled the past are the “Kindle, iPad, and Nook.”  Last year I purchased an iPad and now when I want a book to read I go to the library site and download the book I want to read.  Yes, you can purchase books on the mobile devices, but libraries are now making it where you can download a free copy to read.   

I sometimes wonder what will happen with this technology in the next 5000 days, I foresee the libraries becoming less popular do to using the new innovations to bring the books to them.  Will we ever totally lose our libraries, no because people will always want to read?

References:

Survivor: The History of the Library. (2001, November). Retrieved October 14, 2011, from History Magazine: http://www.history-magazine.com/libraries.html

 Thornburg, D (n.d.) Rhymes of History. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?

Learning Community Posted to

Sara
http://enftechblog.blogspot.com/

Sabrina
http://sabrina-mcdow.blogspot.com/

Kim Dean has not posted yet, due to her being sick

iPad Module 2

Here is my Tetrad.

Module 1 Posted to

Sara Becker

http://enftechblog.blogspot.com/

Kimberly Dean

http://educ7108kdean.blogspot.com/

The iPad 2 is an example of an emerging technology that took the world by storm and became emerged within a few days.  It is a form of technology that has the potential to change the way the world looks at technology.  Some places may say it is emerging, (Thornburg, 2009) but in my way of looking at the iPad it has emerged in not just our country, but in many countries.

When Apple came out with the iPad there were many challenges for the iPad.  One of the challenges in which Apple has already solved is placing a front and end camera into the iPad 2.  Another challenge which has already been solved is the weight of the iPad.  But there are still many challenges that need to be solved; one being it does not use flash, which makes it impossible to use the many programs that require this program http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash .  According to the reports from Apple the Adobe flash was made during the PC era also does not have the best track record for security.

            With every new innovation there are some problems with them, the iPad is no different, for one thing the iPad does not have additional storage. This is one of the major problems I feel affects the iPad, but if you decide you want to remove an app then you can reload it from the App store or you personal PC.  Another problem that Apple is trying to solve is the use of a printer. A printer has been designed to be used with the iPad, but as like everything else Apple develops you have to purchase the one designed for the iPad.  One of the major problems as an educator the iPad is designed for one user at a time.  Yes, there are the apps you can download for the machine, but it is not made for a classroom unless the teacher is going to let the students work independently. 

The societal needs this technology meets are many. It is easy to use.  There are many apps that can be used on an ipad from education apps to gaming apps.   It is also an iPod which can play songs and podcasts.  You can also record movies on the iPad 2 and take pictures.  You can use YouTube as well as Netflix on the iPad.  In addition it has e-mail and a web browser.  Apple also has an ibook application in which you can download books and read on the go.  In other words there are so many features it would take days to name the important features of the iPad 2.

Some links that provide addition insight to the iPad 2

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/hiner/apple-ipad-2-who-should-buy-and-who-should-pass/7896

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/

  

References:

Hiner, J. (2011, March 14). Apple iPad 2: Who should buy and who should pass. Retrieved September 15, 2011, from Tech Sanity Check: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/hiner/apple-ipad-2-who-should-buy-and-who-should-pass/7896

Jobs, S. (2010, April). Thounghts on Flash. Retrieved 15 September, 2011, from Apple.com: http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/

 Thornburg, D. D. (2009a). Current
trends in educational technology. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.