"The future arrived it just wasn't equally distributed..."

In reference to this question, I am not sure. I do believe in the equality of opportunity for education but I highly doubt this would even be possible. Even with the incorporation of emerging technologies to all schools, not all teachers are trained to use the products are open to doing so. I addition I teach at a middle/upper socioeconomic school where our technology upgrade entails mounted LCD projectors from the ceiling whereas inner city school in my area have issued personal laptops to students for classroom use. How can socioeconomic status make a difference here? I'm not trying to discredit any discrepancies but my question is how is it ever going to be overcome when people have difference motives and views of technology. That is why I believe it must be a government initiative. The first step is Obama's idea for nationwide wi-fi. If we are to compete with the Chinese, as all our comparisons are made with, everyone must have equal access to technology and I don't think that is something that can be regulated at the state level. I know it is idealistic but it is the only way any discrimination can be averted.

Works Cited
Thornburg, D. (Producer). (nd). Diversity and Globalism. [Video Podcast]. Laureate Education, Inc.

Red Queens and Increasing Returns

My hubby has been wanting a new DVD player so for his birthday we purchased a Blue-Ray DVD player with Wi-Fi capability. So this assignment provided the perfect opportunity to try ordering a movie through our internet accessibility.

Well you may be able to consider the competition between DVDs and videos on demand as an example of Red Queens because both are putting going to the traditional movies out of business (hence the insurgence in price). DVD players like mine cut the costs of getting out to the movies greatly. Also with RedBoxes around everywhere (though I have never used them before because Clark Howard advises against it) also make it highly convenient not to leave home. To make an application of increasing returns, I do believe wi-fi capability will obsolete DVDs. One reason is the fact the it saves space not to have shelves and shelves of DVDs (this is my personal pet peeve solved!). Moreover the addition of wi-fi to DVD players is taking off from the idea that you could order DVDs to be delivered to your home from online. This on-demand type option will also be easier to meet the developments of TV enhancements in the future and is a way for consumers to avoid buying compatible DVDs now to find out in a couple of years they can no longer be read. This is a non-linear process because as consumers we are unaware of the rapid advancements occurring to television.

I think DVDs and video on demand are on the obsolescence side of the four criteria of McLuhan’s tetrad. Both make going to the movies obsolete; the only reason people would go is for the ambiance and to see the latest and greatest. I would rather stay home and eat food from my house than drive to the theater, buy pricey tickets and food there, and have to deal with icky theaters. Isn't this why many are putting home theaters in?

Works Cited
Thornburg, D. (Producer). (nd). Increasing Returns. [Video Podcast]. Laureate Education, Inc.
Thornburg, D. (Producer). (nd). Red Queens. [Video Podcast]. Laureate Education, Inc.

Second Life as a Disruptive Technology

The concept of the virtual world is something new to me. Actually, I didn't know about Second Life until Jim made fun of Dwight on The Office about it =) Since I read this assignment, I decided to ask my high school students about it and got some interesting feedback.

Second Life is a disruptive technology due to the fact the development of it came out of no where but is a replication of life. As Dr. Thornburg mentions in the vodcast, disruptive technology provides functions that obsoletes other technologies. This particular technology was not the product of an evolutionary development but a new development to meet life needs. I guess it seems common sense that something like this would be created. In addition, as reflected by Dr. Thornburg, I don't believe the impact was anticipated on people's daily routines (i.e. Facebook obsession of Farmville). My students told me that some people they know spend hours at a time immersing themselves in this virtual world living a life and developing relationships with others that do not match their reality experience.

The longevity of Second Life is dependent on the users. From what I observe from my students many are not interested in it at this point. Therefore, I'm not sure if they will ever be or if this is dependent on the integration of the real world in the virtual world. I think the premise is good but its effectiveness is reliant on its relevance to each person's life.

From my understanding, I see this as a social network tool as kids playing networked video games. I think the element is there and would be quick to criticize those contending it fosters social isolation. On the other hand, the ability to develop a life that is ideal and not your own is fake and was actually just spoken about by the Pope =) Being a virtual school teacher, I do see some of the unique benefits that Second Life could offer, like the personal avatars and lecture halls/discussions, but I hesitate to force my students to partake in it.

Works Cited
Thornburg, D. (Producer). (nd). DisruptiveTechnologies. [Video Podcast]. Laureate Education, Inc.

Ryhmes of History Technology

As presented by Dr. Thornburg, a technology that represents a rhyme of history is one that reflects or revives a theme from history, or in my opinion a need. In reference to the need, I conceptualize it as something humans have desired to do for functioning on a day-to-day basis; technology has served the purpose of meeting that need in a more efficient manner relative to the times. In this case a common need that has always existed is that of communication. Whether for happy or horrific news, the sooner the information could be transmitted the better. Evolving from the Pony Express and Morse Code into pages then emails and texts. Skype is a technology that revives a recurring theme in history: communication. This technology makes communication quick and easy and can be available to all. This technology allows one to quickly get in contact with a friend or relative to share important news but provides the added bonus of visuals to a conversation. In addition, Skype extends to the globe so soldiers can be in touch with their families.

Works Cited

Thornburg, D. Rhymes of History. [Vodcast]. Laureate Education, Inc.
Thornburg, D. Six forces that drive emerging technologies. [Vodcast]. Laureate Education, Inc.