Mod 6: Addressing the Digital Divide

As a leader in educational technology, I see it as my responsibility to ensure that access is available to all who desire it. Gender differences do not typically offer any challenges as men and women are equally represented and given access to the technology that is available in the settings I am involved with.

Cultural differences are also minimized but the difference is usually felt generationally rather than strictly by geographic cultural climates. The younger generations are typically more adapted and accepting to technology and see it as a natural extension of our innate abilities. The older generations can be resistant to change or see technology as unnecessary “toys.”

The sensitivity that needs to be monitored the most in settings I work is socioeconomic. There are a lot of people who think that everyone has a computer and/or access to the internet. There are a good many families that are rural, poor, and/or migrant in nature and they do not have the means or consistent surroundings to make the investment in electronic technology. Oddly, these same families invariably will have cell phones, including for their children, which can give them access, although it may be limited.

My responsibility is to be cognizant of these , and any other considerations, and do what I can to level the playing field so all have access and can take advantage of the benefits of technology in learning and life in general.

When deciding which DVD to view for our assignment in module four, I choose Minority report. To get the DVD I went to my library (I have two on the list, Minority Report and Total Recall). If I did not have it, I would have ordered it through Netflix (instant watch if it was available). My TV and BluRay player both have the capability to stream from Netflix so that would have been the most convenient method.

The current competition between DVDs and Video-On-Demand (VOD) fits Thornburg’s description of Red Queens whereas two competing entities are rapidly developing their product to maintain their market share (2008). DVDs have moved from the video store to the more convenient (and cheaper) online or at-the-market kiosk. VOD is increasing the title availability but still lags in the “new release” category often several weeks behind the other methods. Netflix actually offers both services putting them in the unique position of probable sustainability with either format prevailing.

As far as DVD and VOD as referenced to McLuhan’s tetrad (enhances, obsoletes, reverses, and retrieves) I think that VOD enhances availability and obsoletes the DVD. As VOD libraries improve and more people get connected, the idea of having to load a DVD and deal with the potential problem of disc damage and getting and returning them, will relegate DVDs to those people who want to have the enhanced content material.

Web Resources
- The Staying Power of the DVD vs. VOD

(This post is dated as it reffers to the now defunct Blockbuster Video store as an example, but still has relevance).

- Studios Giving Up on DVD, Pushing VOD Instead

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

Mod 4: Disruptive Technology

Second Life (SL) is a disruptive technology because it replaces the need for face-to-face (f2f) role playing with a virtual reality world that can be accessed anywhere in the world with internet access. A disruptive technology is defined by Thornburg as “new technology with the same function as an existing technology but it functions more efficiently and then obsoletes that technology (2009).


What SL has done is change the course of cooperative learning
where individual reservations may inhibit a person from fully participating and allow them to create a virtual self free from specific identity. The need for classrooms and teacher prepared roles to support this type of learning (which is touted as a preferred method of expressing understanding of the subject matter) has diminished to the point of virtual extinction. The specific disruption is the technology investment to brick-and-mortar classrooms, including the myriad of electronic technology for f2f support. With SL and similar programs, the school’s electronic support is minimized as the instructor and students typically provide their own computers and internet access with the school providing a portal to work in (even this can be established outside of the school’s resources).


SL may continue for many years but it will likely change forms as technology improves the capability and quality of its digital processing. If they do not change rapidly enough, then another technology could replace it such as one with a three dimensional, holographic ability. I would guess that these changes are between five and ten years away.

The social benefits, as related above, are that people who may be timid when participating f2f will likely participate with less caution because they will feel more anonymous. An example of this affect is people who are mascots for sporting events. It is often the case that these people are reserved or even shy until they put on the mascot costume. Even though people may know who they are, their costume hides their identity so they feel free to act out more than they normally would. In my area of education, students tend to enjoy opportunities to utilize computers as part of the classroom experience, and being able to create virtual representations of themselves (called avatars in SL and similar programs) gives them the chance to fulfill a fantasy of being someone else.

Web Resources:

Examples of some disruptive technologies: http://moneyterms.co.uk/disruptive-technology/

Article discussing Second Life as a disruptive technology: http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20080117162121373

Reference:

Thornburg, D. (2009). Disruptive technology. (Vodcast). Emerging and Future Technology DVD produced by Laureate Education, Inc. Baltimore.

7108 Mod 3 Blog

The Wingsuit

Man’s desire to fly like a bird has probably been around since we first observed our winged friends in flight. Not counting bats, which of course are mammals, or animals like squirrels, which really only jump and glide from place to place, there are thousands of examples for us to marvel at and think if only I could do that.

From Greek mythology to Leonardo Di Vinci to the Wright brothers we have imagined, designed, and finally achieved flight. Although not exactly as birds do, we still have left the bounds of earth and defied gravity. The latest expression of this is much like our squirrel friends in that we glide from a higher position to a lower one. Like our winged friends however, this suit gives us the ability to steer our way around and be the masters of our decent, provided the wind cooperates.

Web Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingsuit_flying

7108 Module 2

I've included three tetrads. The first one is the present, the second one is a step back, and the third one is the future (maybe).

(I had trouble with formatting, sorry)

Tetrad for Apple iPad

Enhances Obsoletes

Unencumbered by wires and cords; Versatile touch screen.	Laptop. Need for separate screen and keyboard or mouse.
Freedom of movement while being creative, e.g. the artist with the blank canvass outside.	Computer enhanced glasses where hand gestures replace touching a screen.

Retrieves/Rekindles Reverses

Tetrad for Laptop Computer (Regression of Apple iPad)

Enhances Obsoletes

Break free from wires connected to the wall to use a computer; Mobile electronic technology	Desk top computer; Computing in a fixed location.
Sony Walkman: Take your music with you.	Computer enhanced glasses where hand gestures replace touching a screen.

Retrieves/Rekindles Reverses

Tetrad for Virtual Reality Computer Glasses (Progression of Apple iPad)

Enhances Obsoletes

Eliminates the need to touch anything to operate a computer.	Apple iPad or tablet computer.
The idealistic power of the Gods of mythology that could wield power with gestures or thoughts.	Repetitive hand injuries like carpal tunnel.

Retrieves/Rekindles Reverses

7108 Mod1 - Emerged Technolgies

http://www.kto8.com/

One of the emerging technologies I’ve experienced in the past few years is web-based learning. In particular, the learning I’m focusing on is self-paced and delivered via the Internet. This type of instruction, where the student receives direction and interacts with the information presented on the computer screen, is designed to enable students more autonomy with their instruction and the pace moves at a level they are comfortable with. With instant feedback and remediation built in, this approach can give the students a sense of control that they may not normally have in a traditional classroom.

Of course, this may mean the absence of a teacher or facilitator. This can create problems especially if the software has not been prepared to foresee all possible difficulties the student may encounter (a distinct possibility), and is likely the greatest challenge with this type of education delivery. Internet availability may also be a challenge. Although it’s taken for granted that the Internet is everywhere, the reality here is that many homes in lower socioeconomic depressed areas are not “connected” so a place to get connected would need to be provided. Another issue is the ability of the local internet provider to have the capacity to accommodate a large number of users. As Thornburg points out, the capacity needs of just ten years a go pales in comparison to the needs of today and schools in particular have not focused on increasing capacity to the levels needed (2009)

One of the social ramifications of web-based learning is that rural students can gain access to learning that may have previously been out of touch. Also, the likelihood of access to a larger number of students would be realized as server space typically allows for a greater number than the typical classroom. Cost would like fall as the need for staffing would decrease, typically the largest expense, because less teachers and support personnel are needed for e-learning than for brick-and-mortar schools.

To improve this technology, having a learning specialist familiar with the curriculum of study and the program being utilized available via webcam to assist the student would be a good start. Also, flexibility as to the equipment required, i.e. portable Internet enabled devices as well as desk top computers, so students could access the “classroom” with few limitations and in ways that match their access ability.

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