Module 5 Responses

I commented on the following blogs:

 Sullus:

http://sullus-teague.blogspot.com/2011/08/educ-8848-2-emerging-and-future.html?showComment=1313678861339#c2748746838763005512

Maria:

http://msrodriguez-design.blogspot.com/2011/08/next-wave-of-technology.html?showComment=1313698526676#c3855907069606897025

Red Queens and Increasing Returns

When I decided to obtain the DVD, Minority Report, for my science fiction assignment in Module 4, I originally based my decision on the prospects of retrieving it from a digital server similar to Netflix or Blockbuster.com. I was familiar with Blockbuster.com as I was a customer for more than a year; however, before deciding on the reinstating my membership, I thought I would try Netflix. I even went as far as creating a free trial membership during the weeks of Module 3. I had never ordered a movie digitally from any site besides Direct TV Movie on Demand, but I thought this might be a great time to try.  Because my television was not easily accessible to viewing the movie in this manner, I had to resort to finding the DVD.

Redbox was my faculty of choice because, in all actuality, I ceased my membership with Blockbuster.com due to the convenience and price of Redbox. Redbox is a retail movie rental facility that uses kiosks to dispense movies for a nominal fee.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t as easy as I had anticipated because the movie I had chosen was only available in Blu-ray. I was very happy that my 19-year-old gamer was still home for summer break, and before heading to work gave me a quick tutorial on using his PSP to watch the movie.

I am inclined to believe that the current competition between DVDs and video-on-demand is an example of increasing returns as evident of the closures of so many DVD retailers.  Yes, the economy has had a hand in these closures, but the video-on-demand concept is a technology that has flooded the market place. If the concept related to kiosks in dispensing DVD was introduced earlier, it could have had the opportunity to be a Red Queen. In my opinion, the kiosks have kept DVD rentals in the market.

Relating to the four criteria of McLuhan’s tetrad, the video-on-demand has great potential in rendering DVD’s obsolete by rekindling more control of what is personally viewed on television screens.

~Wanda Ardoin-Bailey

Module 4 Blog Responses

I commented to the following blogs:

Dorothy Fernandes , http://studentofedtech.blogspot.com/2011/07/disrupted-by-my-second-life.html

and

Sullus, http://sullus-teague.blogspot.com/2011/07/disruptive-power-of-second-life-module.html?showComment=1312139861910#c7456280913592663510

~Wanda

Disruptive Technologies

As defined by Dr. Thornburg, a disruptive technology has the means of stopping an existing technology in its tracks because the disruptive technology offers more. I am not sure if I view Second Life as a disruptive technology per se.  If I were to agree that it is a disruptive technology then, I would have to say it has the potential of replacing any other form of Internet collaborative or social tool; nevertheless, it has the potential of replacing any application that allows users to communicate through the use of the web. As Rosedale (2008) reminds us, we are social creatures that enjoy working and socializing with others with similar interests and ideas. Second Life comes closer to fulfilling that need in a more in-depth level than any other application offered today. The natural need to create, organize, and exchange ideas is the basic part of social learning.

I am not sure how much time Second Life actually has. New companies are enhancing and capitalizing on the need for users to connect virtually and in real time. Other companies already in the field are beginning to heightened development in those areas that already encompass social networking and collaboration. Companies such as Google with Google+ are making connections easier and more efficient by adding circles, hangouts, sparks, and huddles.  That is the mere premise of a “wild card”, an unanticipated technology. While Google+ is in its trial phase, it sure has “wild card” potential.

So what are the benefits of Second Life? Because I have not entered Second Life, the benefits can only be seen through eyes of users and researchers. Mike Dee, a user commenting on Rosedale presentation, explains “..you have real discussions, and meet real people. It can be very intellectually stimulating. Walk into a cafe and sit down with someone from Denmark, Saudi Arabia, and Ireland.” In an educational stand point, Second Life could open the doors for intense simulations, dramatic role playing, and student-centered strategies engaging them in meaningful learning beyond the face-to-face teaching experience.

How has Second Life benefit your field of study?

Dee, M. (2010, May 6). Philip Rosedale on Second Life [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html.

Lrodriguezetc. (2009, October 29). Second Life as a Disruptive Technology in Education. Retrieved from http://lrodriguezetc.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/second-life-as-a-disruptive-technology-in-education/

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

Thornburg, D. (n.d.) “Disruptive Technologies”

~Wanda Ardoin-Bailey

Module 3 Responses

Module 3 Responses

Module 3 Responses

I responded to Sullus at the following link:

http://sullus-teague.blogspot.com/2011/07/rhymes-of-history-technology-module-3.html

I responded to Dolly at the following link:

http://studentofedtech.blogspot.com/2011/07/speak-and-spell-rhymes-with.html?showComment=1310923798402#c2003121136576914227

Rhymes of History

Dr. Thornburg describes rhymes of history as a force that drives evolutions of technology by the impact of a technology of the past.  The first example I can think of is scrapbooking. Scrapbooking of the past did not fully interest me as a participant, but I loved viewing the books of my friends and family member.  I was typically impressed by their creativity and their passion as they continue enhancing their books using different visual arrangements of pictures, fonts, expressions, and memorable events.

I have seen scrapbooks evolve from my parent’s regular photo albums to completely inventive, creative scrapbooks to preprinted tools and now digital scrapbooks and social media. The concept of sharing pictures and milestones dates back to the 15^th century, and commonplace books were termed during the Renaissance period.  Slatten (2004) contends that Mark Twain was one of the biggest supporters of this pastime as evident of his patented series of scrapbooks in 1872.

The modern day scrapbooking can be found in digital websites such as www.webdocs.com as their claims include incorporating a variety of content and collaborative tools. Users’ scrapbooks can be viewed by the public or they may be private.  Other forms of scrapbooking per se are those created in social media such as MySpace and Facebook. Although, I have not had experience with the scrapbooking of the past, I am one of those users who have created multiple albums and recorded countless memorable events using social media tools. If you have also engaged in this form of expression, you too are a “scrapebooker”.

~Wanda Ardoin-Bailey

Module 2 Responses

Module 2 Responses

I responded to Sullus at the following link:

http://sullus-teague.blogspot.com/2011/06/emerging-technologies-tetrad-module-2.html?showComment=1309704386649#c7406315465803626921

I responded to Dolly at the following link:

http://studentofedtech.blogspot.com/2011/07/blog-post.html