MODULE 5-RED QUEENS AND INCREASING RETURNS

MOLDULE 5

 
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?
First, I went through my very old stash of VHS tapes and actually found the original Total Recall video. Do any of you know what a VHS tape looks like? It was a bit scratched and fuzzy, but I was able to watch it. This only made me want to see the newer version of the movie just to see how it had changed, so I found it on my Amazon Prime and did an instant download so I could watch it. I see Amazon Prime and Netflix as being part of the Increasing Returns force because I hear very little about other video-on-demand companies. I also found many of the other choices in either Amazon Prime or Netflix for instant download at very low prices.
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 believe the competition between DVD and video-on-demand is an example of Red Queens. Dr Thornburg (2009) stated that Red Queens are two technologies that share the same market and compete with one another to stay ahead. DVD has become available in the Red Boxes at many convenient locations, making it cheaper and more accessible to rent a movie, but you do have to pay as you go. I can hardly remember the last time I purchased a DVD, but I think they are probably still something many parents use for younger children who tend to watch the same movies several times, but the video-on-demand works better for many of us because we can watch movies immediately at home, on the fly, or anywhere and anytime we have a bit of free time. The low monthly prices for Amazon Prime and Netflix and other vendors like this and the convenience of the choices at your fingertips really do not look good for DVD's which normally have to be purchased at a store or ordered through the mail.
Where do you think DVDs and video-on-demand are on the four criteria of McLuhan's tetrad? .
I would say that the DVD might rekindle the VHS – at least my VHS tapes were replaced by the DVD, but the action of the purchase is still the same. Now, it appears that DVD's are being replaced by the videos-on-demand that fit the lifestyle of the 21^st century consumer.
References
Laureate (Director). (2009). Increasing Returns [Motion Picture].
Laureate (Director). (2009). Red Queens [Motion Picture].

(Comments to Petti and Sanjay on their Module 5 blogs)

 

MODULE 4 – SECOND LIFE

According to Thornburg (2009), Disruptive technology is a new technology with the same functionality as the existing technology but it functions more efficiently and then obsoletes that technology. Second Life is a disruptive technology because we are living in a networked world and this technology allows people to "make-believe" connect even though they are far apart. Young people love it so, according to an article in University World News, many of the universities and colleges are purchasing SL properties and hiring programmers to establish presences on Second Life to attract these young people. According to Nuthall (2008), there is quite a bit of money to be made in Second Life. In fact, "Last year alone, the GDP of the Second Life world was upwards of US$65 million." No one wants to be left out in the cold when money is involved, so business and universities want to get in on this market. Second Life is about replacing the physical teaching setting with a virtual world.

Thornburg (2009) explained disruptive technologies as completely new tools that change how things are done, and are not gradual extensions of older technologies. I work in K-12 education and have been to a few workshops on a Second Life Package that our district was hoping to adopt and use. It was very expensive, and extremely time-consuming up front, however when we did develop a science lesson, the students and teachers loved it and were completely motivated to engage in the learning. Second Life can be expensive and with all of the Web 2.0 and 3.0 technologies comes OpenSim, which stands for OpenSimulator and is free to most users. This technology is not only engaging and motivating, but it provides a platform for students to develop their technological, cognitive, linguistic, artistic, and social skills.

References

Korolov, M. (2012, April 16). Hypergrid Business:Georgia School Grid to Triple Land Area. Cumming, GA, USA. Retrieved from Geo.

Nuthall, K. (2008, January 20). A Disruptive Technology Arrives. University World News .

Thornburg, D. (2009). Disruptive Technologies. DVD . Laureate Education, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Module 3 - Rhymes of History

 Dr. Thornburg (2008) described a rhyme in history as an affect or effort of a new development that rekindles something from the past.  One technology that represents a rhyme of history is the smartphone camera or digital camera.  These new cameras rekindle the  old Polaroid instant cameras that gave us an instant photo with no wait for processing. Below are three sites that address this rhyme of history.  I will be revealing my age if I claim to have used one and been very impressed with it when I was a teenager.  I used it for several school projects. 

 http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/1020/Photography-and-Society-in-the-20th-Century.html

 http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2012/05/02/barriers-to-change-the-real-reason-behind-the-kodak-downfall/

 http://qz.com/35783/lessons-for-apple-instagram-and-others-from-polaroids-past-and-present/

References
 

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Evolutionary technologies, featuring Dr. David Thornburg.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Six forces that drive emerging technology, featuring Dr. David Thornburg.

Link to Kevin Kelly's speech
http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_kelly_on_the_next_5_000_days_of_the_web.html

Module 2 Emerging Technologies Tetrad

I do not have an IPad, however two of my kids have them and sometimes I wonder what they did before they got these amazing technologies.  My son is a boat salesman and can practically keep the entire store inventory right at his fingertips - with beautiful graphics making the actual image of the boat more dynamic than the real thing.  My daughter is a flight attendant and uses her ipad to watch netflix movies and read books when she is stuck at the airport or at a hotel.  My administrators pop them out on the table and check email as they simultaneously take notes and complete research during our professional developments - I definitely believe these little gems enhance our lives in many ways.
Several colleagues say that their college age kids use the ipad to replace their college textbooks as they purchase the ebooks and keep the ipads with them for studying and reading class requirements.  They purchased keypads and stuff the materials in their bookbags and use them in class instead of the netbooks.
I think the ipad has some of the same capabilities as the ipod. 
The ipad can bring about a whole new type of classroom that is engaging, multitasking, and applicable to the 21st century.

MODULE 1-Emerging Technology at My Workplace

                                  

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The Electronic Whiteboards have emerged recently and have made a tremendous impact in the learning environment in our middle school. This technology  allows users to access countless resources aligned to teaching standards created by other professionals.Thornburg(2009) said that some of the newer tools had their genesis years ago and are just now coming into mainstream awareness. They were so expensive when we got them that many of our staff all over the district were anxious because so much money was being spent for this new technology.  I agree with Dr Soloway's comment "That's part of technology, that's part of research, that's part of exploration.  If you're not taking risks, if you're not making mistakes, if you're not failing enough, you're not taking enough risks" (Laureate Educations, 2009).  I feel like this may be the case with these whiteboards.  They have been in schools for so many years, however other emerging technologies complement this tool, and it seems that it is being used in more ways to help create knowledge.
The Whiteboards have an amazing capability to interact with the web and with the students, allowing them to actively become part of the lesson.  However, one of the major problems with the boards has been the users. According to the Instructional Technology Specialist at my school, less than 10 percent of the teachers with whiteboards actually used them as they were intended to be used.  Most of the instructors simply use them as projectors or as ordinary whiteboards to present information to students.  Did we really spend thousands of dollars per classroom so teachers could show large screen movies and show lessons with large fonts?  Many teachers use the things with which they are most comfortable and learning to interact with students through the use of this gadget has been at the bottom of many lists, creating a roadblock to its correct use and adoption by many. 
The whiteboards have been known to improve engagement and motivation for autistic children and others who rely on touch and manipulation.  This tool supports learning style accommodations and allows the teacher to guide the lesson as the whole class participates.  The interactive capabilities, learner response systems, and large-screen video has contributed to the engagement of students and allowed them to become an active part of the class and students are more engaged in the learning.

This technology could be improved upon if school principals would support more professional development aimed at educating teachers the methods for using these boards in creative ways for classroom engagement.  Teacher attitude will go a long way in the successful adoption and use in these boards, while training and support will go a long way in maintaining a great attitude.

References:

Laureate Education, I. (Director). (2009). Multimedia technology to facilitate learning [Motion Picture].

Thornburg, D. (2009). When is a technology emergent. Lake Barrington: Thornburg Center.