Digital Divide

As a leader in educational technology, I feel the first step in addressing the digital divide is aligning technology to essential needs. If a technology does not address or meet the needs of any demographic group be it gender, cultural or socioeconomic then that technology is not of any value. A laptop may not meet the needs of a community when a cell phone will meet the need. Once needs have been identified then education is the key to closing the digital divide. Rather than just focusing on providing equipment, we need to focus on developing the skills and knowledge needed to use, maintain, and further develop technologies (CTER, 2007). It is sometimes very disheartening to see students with the physical equipment and but still remain at a disadvantage due to the lack of support.


Another critical factor in bridging the digital divide is not only technical support but community support as well. Utilizing a holistic approach to individual and community engagement with technology by seeking to first identify local interests, and then determine how technology can support those interests provides needed community involvement (CTER, 2007).

CTER, (2007). Digital Divide and Education. Retrieved August 21, 2010, from http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php?title=Digital_Divide_and_Education&oldid=26510

Thornburg, D. (2009). Diversity and Globalism. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from August 21, 2010 from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=5828341&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Red Queens and Increasing Returns

VS

In Module 4, I decided to use the features on my recently purchased iPhone to watch one of the assigned videos. I purchased Total Recall from iTunes using the gift card I received for Christmas. I was able to view the movie while getting an oil change and waiting for the kids during swim practice. The flexibility was great. I was very uncertain about the size and quality of the movie at first but I was able to view the movie with no problem. It was great!!!


I feel the current competition between the DVD and video on demand can be labeled an example of increasing returns. Dr. Thornburg defines increasing returns as two innovations hitting the market at the same time and by chance, on technology gets locked in and drives the other to extinction (Thornburg, 2010). While DVDs were mainstream for a long while, video on demand along with Netflix has driven DVD/movie stories out of business. The convenience of shopping, ordering and watching videos can now be done without leaving your home. I don’t believe DVDs will become completely obsolete anytime soon due to the fact that everyone does not have access to the web however I do feel video on demand and Netflix have impacted home entertainment.

Both video on demand and DVD have a place on McLuhan’s tetrad. I see both falling in the “retrieval” tetrad because they fulfill the need of home entertainment and quality family time. Video on demand will cause DVDs to fall in the “Closure/Obsolescence” tetrad while moving itself into the “Extension/Enhancement tetrad.



Anderson, C. (2004). Tech’s long tail [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/
chris_anderson_of_wired_on_tech_s_long_tail.html

Thornburg, D. D. (2010). Increasing returns and red queens. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=5797856&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Thornburg, D. D. (2008b). Emerging technologies and McLuhan's Laws of Media. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.

The Disruptive Power of Second Life

Second Life can be considered a disruptive technology because of its interactive abilities.

Linden Labs has created a 3D virtual reality experience that allows users to experience a virtual presence online. This interactive online experience can have great impact on the home video gaming system and TV. Both of these technologies do not allow you to interact with unknown users or to create fantasy worlds.


Second Life provides opportunities for individuals to create and explore social settings. Virtual worlds can provide a real world experience. They allow you to socialize using avatars. You can take on new identities and personalities. While I feel they can be beneficially to education in a variety of ways, I feel they have not yet reached their full potential. I feel Second Life is still an emerging technology and will only improve over time. I do not see virtual world being replace any time soon but I do see the way in which we use them have a greater impact on learning. They most certainly have the potential to create virtual high school classes and school campuses for hospitalized students or for students seeking diplomas in alternative school setting.


Linden Research, Inc. (n.d.) Linden Lab: Makers of Second Life. Retrieved July 22, 2010 from http://lindenlab.com/


Linden Research, Inc. (n.d.). Second Life. Retrieved July 22, 2010 from http://secondlife.com/


Avatar (computing). (2010, July 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 11:38, July 22, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Avatar_(computing)&oldid=373486560

Rhyme of History - Microwave Oven

The microwave oven has become as common as the kitchen sink in every household. This technology gained popularity in the1980s in the US. They are a way of life. The microwave is now a necessary for both residential and commercial use. Percy Spencer, has been credited for this accidental discovery. This discovery has transformed the way homes prepare meals.


The microwave was introduced in 1967 in Chicago by Amana. According to Dixie Trout, the vice president of consumer communications, “many appliance manufacturers, such as Amana, aimed to take the drudgery out of the typical homemaker’s life and replace it with the modern conveniences of the ‘home of the future.’( SMECC, 2007). This was during the dawn of the “Supermom” which was spurred by the large number of mothers who entered the workforce.” (SMECC, 2007). This was important because women desired to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with their families after a full day.

The microwave rekindled family bonding. As both men and women strive to find balance between work and home, the microwave helped to increase family time.

Amana. (2010). Retrieved July 8, 2010 from http://www.amana.com/


The Great Idea Finder. (2007). Percy Spencer. Retrieved July 8, 2010 from http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventors/spencer.htm

Sharpe, T. (2007). Microwave Oven. Retrieved July 8, 2010 from http://www.smecc.org/microwave_oven.htm


Yahoo. (2009). Yahoo Dictionary. Retrieved from http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/supermom

Tetrad - Digital Camera

• Enhances: What does this technology do that is new?


Digital cameras allow images to be recorded and storied in digital form. With the use of the computer, images can be manipulated and stored on home computers. During the digital era the developments of the digital camera have simplified the whole process of photography (Haslego, 2006).

• Obsoletes: What does this technology replace?

Digital cameras have replaced the photographic film process. The color process began in the 1930s.

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

This technology continues to meet the need to project images onto paper to be view at a later time. Early cameras were developed in the 16th and 17th century (Haslego, 2006).

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

At the CIPA (Camera and Imagining Products Association) tradeshow in Japan, it has been predicted that cameras of the future will no longer have a shutter button. Picture will be taken using voice commands. Camera will also become smaller, have unlimited battery power and could possibly add “smell-graphy”. This process would allow cameras to record the smell of the scene and embed it along with the visual image (Schurman, 2010).

Trends in Educational Technology

As technology plays a great role in the classroom, teachers are able to incorporate more educational resources that every before. One of these additional resources is video streaming. Video streaming is taking video and delivering it via the internet. The can be streamed in real time or recorded and archived to be viewed at a later date.

Some schools may experience challenges using video streaming due to traffic jams because of multiple users, slow computers and broadband internet connections. Despite the challenges, video streaming allows teachers to bring topics to life for many students. Students can take virtual field trips and view science experiments. Recorded videos can be viewed to help student make connection with the text.

Discovery Education is an excellent video streaming resource. It has an extensive library of classroom resource however the cost to may have a great impact on smaller school systems. Based on the website information, to offer Discovery Education Streaming Plus to a K-8 school is would cost $2,615.

                                                               

Discovery Communications, 2010, Retrieved from http://www.discoveryeducation.com/ You can find samples video streaming under the section entitled Media in the Classroom.

Discovery Communication, 2010, Retrieved from http://discoveryeducation.com/products/streaming/index.cfm

Video Streaming-a complete guide, 2009, Retrieved from http://www.webcastingzone.com/webcasting-articles/what-is-streaming.php

Video Streaming Problems- How can we stay clear of them?, 2009, Retrieved from http://www.webcastingzone.com/webcasting-articles/video-streaming-problems.php