EDUC 7108 - Module 4: Disruptive Technologies and Second Life

Dr. David Thornburg (2009) describes Disruptive Technology as “New technology with the same functionality of an existing technology, but it functions more efficiently, and then obsoletes that technology.”

Philip Rosedale draws from his own personal experience expressing his desire to build and make things through a virtual world based on his imagination and creativity. He also wanted to apply the use of technology as means of inviting others into and share the world he created. He also sees virtual worlds as a way to organize, create, and share information across the web (Rosedale 2008).

Second life is a disruptive technology in that it extends beyond face-to-face interaction or interaction one may receive via basic communication such as e-mail, chatting, or low-end multimedia. Second life provides a virtual world based on the imagination and the desire or need to share information and/or real-world experiences with others across the web. Second life has replaced the standard way of gaming that originated with earlier systems such as ATARI and Nintendo.

With technology evolving at such a rapid pace, it’s difficult to predict when Second Life will be replaced by another technology. The social benefits of Second Life include the opportunity for collaboration among peers, real-world scenarios which could be used for classroom instruction and scenarios which promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students across virtual worlds.

Laureate, Inc. (2009). Disruptive technologies [Video]. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=3951732&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

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

EDUC 7108 Module 3 Rhymes of History and Technology

EDUC 7108-Module 3 Rhymes of History Technology
Kelly talks about how the web has evolved over time with the availability of resources the number of clicks made, the number if links available and how information is so intricately linked to each other. http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/kevin_kelly_on_the_next_5_000_days_of_the_web.html.

When I think about the rhymes of history and a technology that has been rekindled time and time again, I am reminded of the typewriter invented by Christopher Latham Sholes (http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bltypewriter.htm) this machine has gone from a manual device to an electronic input device utilized with computers. Utilizing the keyboard with the computer was only accessible through direct connectivity through the cpu's serial port. It has gone from the serial port to connectivity via USB and from USB to wireless connectivity via a smaller attached device to Bluetooth capabilities. The evolution of this input device has rekindled users desire and ability to share information through text via the web. The information shared is not only done through the standard pc but also through mobile phones. One thing remains most common with the technique of keyboarding and that is most keyboarding devices are still QWERTY.

Sources:
Kelly, K. (2007, December). 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. (Producer). (2010). Rhymes of History. [Web]. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=3951732&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1


About.com. (Christopher Latham Sholes) http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bltypewriter.htm

Laureate, Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Evolutionary technologies. [Web]. Retrieved from
http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=3951732&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Laureate, Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Six forces that drive emerging technologies. [Web]. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=3951732&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

EDUC 7108 Module 2 - Emerging Technologies Tetrad

Enhances: What does this technology do that is new?

The digital camera provides instant digital photography to its users allowing you to immediately access images, post, share, and print from home or any photo processing lab, often with the click of a button. This device also allows for easy storage in large amounts.

Obsoletes: What does this technology replace?

This technology is quickly replacing disposable cameras and other cameras requiring film because it uses a small memory card to store images.

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

This technology brings to mind the need to use photographs as a means of creating memories of family, friends, special events, and tracking historical events.

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

Most mobile phones come with a camera feature. This feature has been improved over the years, and more people are creating these same memories, storing images, and printing them all from their mobile phone.

EDUC 7108 - Module 1 - Emerged Technology

“Emerged Technology”

A current technology that has emerged in the K12 community is the use Skype. More and more educators are learning ways in which Skype can be used and integrated into their curriculum. I’ve gone to several workshops and conferences this year in my state (NC). Many of them have hosted sessions on Skype and its use. One popular use for Skype now among K12 teachers is “Skype with an Author”. At little to no cost teachers and their students can plan a Skype session with an author in which they happen to be reading their work. Challenges that have been associated with the use of this new technology has been equipment. Because Skype is most effective when one can actually see and hear who they’re talking to via web-cam and microphone, many teachers ran into the issue of this equipment not being made available at their school. The other issue some school districts faced is that this particular website was not “approved” or was blocked and did not allow teachers the access they needed in the classroom.

Skype meets societal needs in that allows the users to build a network of knowledge and a collaborative community. This technology would be even better if more schools had a greater understanding of its uses and the positive effects it has on the learning environment. Perhaps Skype should even consider an K12 Educational version of its application. Maybe this would keep the skeptics at bay!

Sources:
http://www.skype.com

Skype an Author Websites:
http://www.skypeanauthor.com/
http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/page/Patricia+Newman

EDUC 7105 Module 5: New Technologies...

Responded to Valerie Mitchell-Stevens and Laine Pagan

New Technologies....Where do I begin? There have been so many new technologies that I’ve introduce to teachers in my workplace, one being the use of Discovery Education’s United Streaming. When I first introduced about the tool, about 3 years ago, teachers seemed to be very excited and really wanted to incorporate the use streaming video in their lessons. However, once we paid for our subscription and launched the use of the product we encountered some resistance from other teachers. Of course I offered staff development, modeling the use of this new technology, how it helps with core curriculum, how to download and save files to play back later, etc. Attitudes went from excitement to “I don’t have time to search for videos for my class”; “I don’t have time to plan for this”. Needless to say I’ve had to do a series of these trainings, in which most of the same individuals attended. I can safely say now, the majority of our teachers do use United Streaming and are having some great results, there are still a few who’ve never set up an account or sought to use the resources it provides.

When I think about Keller’s ARCS model, motivation that I’ve used to encourage teachers were tactics that involved recognition for the use of technology in their classroom, or one-one assistance in which I served as a coach, assisting them in the planning process, offering the additional resources and extra time and attention until they felt confident with the use of the tool I’ve also groomed and trained teachers to teach others how to use the tool and share testimonials about their experiences and lessons they’ve successfully completed with the students using United Streaming.

EDUC 7105 Module 4: My Network Connections

My network of learning has changed the way I learn in so many ways. I have had the opportunity to be exposed to a wealth of resources, build upon prior knowledge, and gain new knowledge. I find myself being even more of a critical thinker and expanding my thought processes based on feedback or questions from my peers. Digital tools that best facilitate learning for me would be Web2.0 tools such as blogging, wikispaces, document sharing, discussion boards, web-based videos and connections established with peers, colleagues, and those outside of education in business and industry. When I have questions about new knowledge, I tend to look for resources or individuals who’ve had some prior experience with what I’m facing or one who comes with a high level of expertise. I also research blogs and wikis to gain perspectives from others who may be in my field. I make connections with individuals using document sharing tools such as Google docs, and invite collaborators to join, edit, and provide their feedback or input as well. Responded to Sharon McDaniels blog at http://sharon-mcdaniel.blogspot.com/ and Sherry Breaden at http://sbreeden71.blogspot.com/.

EDUC 7105 Module 3 ~ Group Interaction: Is it Human Instinct?

“Do I believe that humans have a basic instinct to ‘interact and work as a group’?” When I reflect on my time as a grade school student, I can count on one hand the times in which we were allowed to work collaboratively in groups, so I guess my answer to that would be no (if we were still in that period of time). But as I reflect on today’s learner and from personal experience it seems to be that my students come into this earth as “social butterflies” ready talk and gain new information from others through their own form of collaboration and social media. Much of the group interaction today is stimulated by what Rheingold refers to as “social questions”, which “drives new social forms”. (Rheingold 2008).

It was not until I became an online student obtaining my Master’s Degree and now pursuing my EdS degree that I begin to feel comfortable being in and working collaboratively within a learning community. The collaborative skills that I’ve been able to apply during my online studies, I believe were skills that were introduced coupled with resources, but it was up to me to explore and find out what tools would be best suited for various assignments and projects due for a course.

By nature, I do feel however that we are often more reluctant to share our knowledge with others when the collaborative setting is face-to-face. Incorporating the use of collaborative technology tools provides a way for students to be less reluctant to share their knowledge with others, express creativity, provide them with a sense of ownership, and the mindset that their views have been heard. Collaboration can be coupled with constructivist principles by providing students the opportunity to become critical thinkers through problem-based learning. (Driscoll2005)


Driscoll, M. P. (2005) Psychology of learning for instruction. United States: Pearson Education, Inc.

Rheingold, H. (Artist). (2008). Howard rheingold: way-new collaboration. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html

**I've responded to the following blogs for Sharon McDaniel ~ and Holly Shumaker