Thursday, February 14, 2013

The Disruptive Power of Second Life


Module – 4

Shirley Brady

How is Second Life a disruptive technology?

Second Life is defined as a 3D version of the internet that is set in the future.  Rosedale’s ideal involves a high level of entrepreneurial activity.  The dilemma with Second Life is in the classroom is that it may enhance the educational practice of students it would be a complicated task to persuade school administrators and decision makers of the curriculum to permit its use.  It is a disruptive technology because it, like all others go existing state of affairs.  As with all new developments in technology there are those who are afraid of change and people who embrace change.

It was the explanation of Thornburg (2009) that disruptive technologies are innovative apparatuses that modify how task are completed, they are not ongoing expansions of previously used technologies.  The illustration of a disruptive technology he used was the solid state electronic device known as the transistor that was substituted for the vacuum tubes.  This technology device proved advantageous for many people, another conclusion can be drawn is that due to a large number of people being left without jobs due to its disruptive effects.  Would people want a technology used that would disrupt their employment?

It is my belief that many people are uncomfortable with the computer stimulated environment due to their unfamiliarity of it and therefore we often choose what is comfortable.  This is especially true of veteran teacher and administrators who have been a part of the school system for many years.  It was reported by Carmody (2008) that Christensen, Horn, and Johnson promoted disruptive innovations so that we could move from the colossal school organization where subjects are being taught as one size fits.  It was also their belief that we must make available the best education for our students which will only be provided using differentiated instructions to meet the needs of all students.  With this in mind disruptive innovation must be embraced when necessary.

References:

Thornburg, D. (2009). Evolutionary technology Vodcast:  In Laureate Education, Inc. Emerging and future technology.

Toffler, A (1970). Future shock. Random House: New York.

These are the blogs I viewed:

              http://technonico.wordpress.com
             http://featheredflowers.wordpress.com/

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