EDUC 7108 Blog Responses

Click the name to see my responses to each module's blog assignment:

Module 5:

• Kathy
• Yolanda

Module 4:

• Heather
•  Tawana

Module 3:

• Brandy
• Cheryl

Module 2:

• Tawana
• Brandy 
• Yolanda

Module 1:

• Candice
• Aimee

Module 5: Red Queens & Increasing Returns

For the science fiction assignment in Module 4, I decided to obtain my movie utilizing the online download option available through my husband’s Netflix account. (I say my husband’s account because I could care less about the instant availability of movies through companies like Netflix!) I chose this method because it was the most cost-effective and it alleviated my need to venture out to locate the movie on DVD.

Interestingly enough, the Blockbuster DVD kiosk provided to my small hometown only lasted about 6 months. The local video store has shut down and most people are now seeking entertainment from the likes of Netflix and Hulu. There is some satisfaction in knowing you can watch a movie at the click of a button on a remote or mouse.

A Red Queen is representative of the competition that exists between technologies resulting in the rapid development of additional technologies (Thornburg, 2008). Companies are persistently competing to overtake the market share by introducing new products. The competition that has arisen between DVDs and video-on-demand is not dealing with an example of a Red Queen. DVDs are a product that has matured; whereas, video-on-demand technologies continue to emerge in today’s market. As companies continue to modify the various DVD formats, we will continue to see a continuous availability and production of DVDs. Video-on-demand has the potential to obsolete the DVD; however, this will take several years to occur.

When considering where DVDS and video-on-demand are on the four criteria of McLuhan’s tetrad, it is safe to the DVD is an emerged technology that is now quickly approaching the end of its lifespan. The DVD enhanced the way people watched movies from the comfort of their own homes. The DVD has been around for many years as it replaced the VHS and now it appears it will soon be replaced by video-on-demand.

Reference:

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

Module 4: Second Life – Disruptive or Not?

Dr. Thornburg (Laureate, 2009) suggests that disruptive technologies are on an evolutionary path but another technology comes into play and obsoletes the prior technology because of key characteristics. Second Life could easily be considered a disruptive technology because it offers free and engaging ways to encourage people to interact in educational, business, and social settings. Second Life could easily displace other technologies including online (distance) learning, the traditional learning environment (classroom), and global business transactions. Although this 3D world is truly innovative, it has yet to obsolete the before mentioned technologies since its creation in 2003. Second Life and other virtual learning environments face resistance because many teachers are not open to the idea of “losing” control of the traditional classroom setting. These same teachers fail to foster an engaging learning environment because there is no opportunity for students to truly utilize the digital skills developed from participating in a plethora of digital activities outside the confines of the school day.

In today’s traditional educational settings, teachers are encouraged to strive towards the creation of a more student-centered, explorative learning environment. The use of Second Life in the classroom/educational practices could easily displace the traditional social relationships teachers commonly develop with students. Despite the lack of face-to-face interactions, Second Life has the ability to foster global learning opportunities for students as they work to collaborate and communicate with people from other cultures and countries. 

The Forward 150 Timeline, introduced in Module 2, offers that people will begin to spend an increased amount of time in virtual reality worlds by 2020.  An increased use of social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) is definitely characteristic of our modern society. However, Second Life has not gained the same popularity commonly associated with these sites. The social implications of utilizing the virtual reality world could potentially open up new opportunities and interactions for students. Those students who fear social settings and public speaking could easily move to the top of the class through participation in this type of “world.” Second Life and other similar technologies would provide an engaging learning environment where students are able to utilize the skills commonly found among digital natives. By offering students the opportunity to participate in class activities utilizing technology, students would begin to close the gap and disconnect that often arises between home and school. Furthermore, the use of this innovative technology would easily promote differentiation of instruction as teachers make learning more relevant for individual learners. 

What great potential lies within the virtual world! 

(If only more teachers could see this!!)

Reference:

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

Module 3: Rhymes of History

From Maps to GPS...

Dr. Thornburg describes Rhymes of History as the impact incurred by a new development that rekindles something from the past (Laureate, 2009). Since the beginning of time, humans have possessed an insatiable need to travel from one location to another in an accurate path. In ancient times, stars were a primary means of navigation as humans traversed the open seas. Maps soon became a resourceful navigational tool to use as one explored the various surfaces of the earth. As technology become more advanced, maps were replaced by online mapping systems and global positioning systems that could be used to track one’s position anywhere on the globe with precision.

The use of global positioning systems (GPS) allows humans to address the innate desire to travel to and fro with a specific path in mind. As today’s society becomes more connected, it is important that travelers are able to develop efficient routes of travel to ensure time and resources are maximized. Utilizing GPS technology brings to mind the times of the early explorers who needed some form of navigational tool to plot routes around the world as societies began to interact with one another. The curiosity of early explorers to discover the unknown still exist in today’s modern world - - humans are still seeking the unknown as the world becomes more globally connected. Utilizing the GPS devices (a device installed in a vehicle, on a mobile phone, or other technology resource) ensures explorers are able to successfully navigate from one place to another. 

Reference:

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

Module 2: Tetrad on Tablets

The tablet has great potential for creating an engaging learning environment for today's students. Below you will find a tetrad created to examine the tablet.

Enhances: What does this technology do that is new?

The tablet will incorporate a collaborative aspect in the learning environment while utilizing technology to keep students engaged. Although collaborative learning isn’t a new fad, it is highly emphasized in today’s classrooms. Using tablets to foster collaborative learning would create positive outcomes for the students.

Obsoletes: What does this technology replace?

Tablets in classroom instruction could possibly eliminate the use of laptops and textbooks in the classroom. The tablet could be used to retrieve important reading materials and reference documents to support content and daily lessons.

Retrieves/Rekindles: What does this technology bring to mind (or retrieve) from the past?

Many schools are using outdated textbooks, if any textbook is being used at all, because so many resources are readily available on the internet. Tablets could bring back the use of textbooks in a digital format as students are working in a collaborative environment to compare and contrast pieces of literature.

Reverses: What might replace this technology in the future, or what might it cause to occur?

Tablets could increase the use of individualized instruction as students are able to access specific learning resources to address the precise needs of the individual.

Reference:

Hursh, T. (n.d.). Tablet pcs for classroom use: Technology and application. Retrieved from http://courses.education.illinois.edu/edpsy317/sp03/challenge-reports/hursh-tabletpc.html

Module 1: Skype in the Classroom

From inside the classroom’s four walls to outside the state

Skype is a phenomenal tool to keep in touch with relatives and friends without incurring additional costs. What a wonderful way to be a part of someone’s life even if this person isn’t easily accessible at the drop of a dime! Skype also has tremendous possibilities for creating a collaborative learning environment for students – even students who aren’t present within the four walls of a teacher’s classroom. Often times teachers face resistance from administrators and technology gurus responsible for purchasing technology for classroom use because of the cost incurred with implementing these innovative resources. Skype, an application that allows users to make voice calls and video chat, can be implemented without incurring substantial costs.

It is important to note that to truly utilize Skype as a means of collaboration with students in other schools/classrooms, one would need access to a webcam. Many computers come with a webcam; however, this is not always the case. For teachers who do not already have a webcam installed, it is important to consider purchasing this item. Despite the need for webcams, the costs of implementing Skype are not extensive in comparison to other innovative educational tools. Without the webcam, students would still be able to communicate utilizing the application’s instant messaging tool. Some collaboration is better than no collaboration, right?

Utilizing Skype would foster a collaborative learning environment that allows students to work together to complete assignments while practicing positive communication skills. This simple task will provide students with essential skills that will later lead to increased marketability when seeking a job requiring the use of 21^stcentury skills.When implementing Skype, teachers must have a true focus in order to ensure effective instructional implications. Incorporating technology will engage learners, but engaging learners is not enough. Learners must be engaged and focused on a goal made clear by the teacher. The ultimate goal and purpose of using collaborative tools like Skype should be made clear when assignments are initially given to the students.

Learn more!

Click the picture for an article focusing on the use of Skype in classroom.