Thursday, January 27, 2011
Discussion 4: Second Life
Disruptive technologies occur when an innovative technology combines with an existing technology to revolutionize performance (Thornburg, 2010). Tynan (2008) suggests several powerful combinations including DVR plus On Demand, You Tube plus low-priced digital camcorders, and cell phones plus wireless internet. The iPad is another debatable disruptive technology. The iPad meets the criteria of disruptive technologies such as customer demand, new applications, and limited marketing research (Christensen, 1997; Laube, 2010). Disruptive technologies change existing conditions by impacting personal management, opinion, and achievement.
Another powerful example of a disruptive technology is Second Life. According to Rosedale, (2008) people will eventually prefer virtual characters rather than their real identities. Revolutionizing social interaction and communication contributes to the debate of Second Life as a disruptive technology. This web application obsoletes previous methods of instant messaging and advances emotional involvement with personalized avatars. As a relatively new experience, Second Life will dominate web communication for many years until an advanced holographic virtual community revolutionizes human interaction predicted for 2025 (Elon University/Pew Internet Project, n.d.). Social benefits related to virtual worlds include understanding culturally diverse experiences and freely collaborating with many users (Rosedale, 2008). As interest builds, more people will immerse themselves in the virtual world to escape physical and emotional barriers. By combining the human desire to communicate with innovative virtual technology, Second Life extends existence into the imagination.
Regarding education, Second Life exploits student engagement to enhance interaction with information. The virtual world provides an authentic learning environment including interaction with experts and feedback from peers (Gronstedt, 2008). The virtual world presents obvious challenges including bullying and cynical or faulty information. Yet, Second Life applies content in authentic situations, engages multiple intelligences and learning styles, and enables expression (harveyd, 2011). The ability to discuss ideas with peers in an imaginative environment would promote knowledge transfer as students engage within a collaborative and realistic environment.
References
Christensen, C. (1997). Notes on the innovator’s dilemma: When new technologies cause great firms to fall. Retrieved from http://www.2ndbn5thmar.com/change/The%20Innovators.pdf
Elon University/Pew Internet Project. (n.d.). Imagining the Internet: A history and forecast: Forward 150 timeline. Retrieved from http://www.elon.edu/e eb/predictions/forward150years.pdf
Gronstedt, A. (2008). Be first in second life. Training, 29-30. Retrieved from http://www.gronstedtgroup.com/pdf/Training_Mag_article_virtual_world_fall_08.pdf
harveyd. (2011, January 17). Second Life: Rita Mulholland [Web log comment]. Retrieved from
http://wp.stockton.edu/asde/2011/01/17/second-life-rita-mulholland/
Laube, S. (2010, March 3). Is the iPad a disruptive technology? [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://pwcinnovate.wordpress.com/2010/03/03/is-the-ipad-a-disruptive-technology/
Tynan, D. (2008). The 10 most disruptive technology combinations [Web log comment]. Retrieved from
http://www.pcworld.com/article/143474-10_most_disruptive_technology_combinations.html
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I totally agree. We seems to be on the same track. This is such a revoluntary technology, that I can not wait to create my own Island for adult education. I love your blog. I learn a lot about Second Life this week. In this week blog I inserted a video wherein Second Life is used in an Educational enviroment. I think that Second Life have been diffused and will meet it critical mass within two years. As more people learn how to use and implement this technology, it will become a technology to be reckoned with.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think?
Excellent blog.
You have giving me something to think about here. Your statement "The ability to discuss ideas with peers in an imaginative environment would promote knowledge transfer as students engage within a collaborative and realistic environment" could be great values add to the education system. But what are the chances of it getting the chance to be disruptive, when most education system have a hard time incorporating technology as a whole into education?
ReplyDeleteJoanne
ReplyDeleteI am not sure about the diffusion in two years. It seems too new to take off that quickly, but as I played with it, I could see how others get so involved. I watched your video, and it was very good, but I don't see this technology taking off with other fields of higher education. Technology majors, sure, but with other fields including education, you need more direct experience to learn the skills. It would be neat to set up a virtual classroom for an activity though to let undergrads see all the crazy and unexpected happenings of a classroom.
Marci
I am with you Andree. I do not see this technology entering K-12 education, except for the virtual schools. Like you state, educational technology is not the primary method of instructional practices and learning in most schools. We still have blocked access to social networking and cell phone use in schools. However, if a teacher had the time, setting up a virtual environment for students to go after school and discuss the day would improve knowledge transfer, because they continue to practice even after the bell rings. I may try, but then again, I tried to get my parents to use Skype for any homework help in the evenings, but none of them have signed up. Very frustrating!
ReplyDeleteMarci