The Digital Divide

A digital divide is created between those who can and those who cannot. Those who can afford to keep up with the changing technology and those who are allowed access to utilize these technologies compared to those who can not afford to keep up with technology and those who are not allowed access to utilize these technological advancements. This digital divide occurs in various ways. Sometimes policies and procedures help to create this divide. Other times we create a divide for ourselves. In education the digital divide can be considered the achievement gap between learners, the limited access to information, and the lack of equipment and supplies.

As educators we must be open and willing to accept change. This can only occur if we step away from the norm and step into the unknown creating a positive atmosphere of change. Differences in technological access exist across cultures, gender, and socioeconomic groups. As an educator, I can begin this process of reducing/eliminating the divide by introducing those I encounter with to new technological advancements, allowing them the opportunity to experiment with those technologies, and explaining/demonstrating the impact these technologies plays in our lives on a daily basis. Also, we must be willing to take charge of our own success or failure. We may not be able to afford a certain technology, but we can research and read upon that technology so that we are familiar with it and can identify it if it ever graces our presence.

Emmorfia

Red Queens vs. Increasing Returns

When I first noticed that we had to watch a movie about technology and the future, I immediately began browsing my collection of DVD’s, because I knew I had Total Recall and Minority Report. For this assignment, I chose to watch a movie that I had not seen before, therefore I chose Next. Technology today allowed me to have several different alternatives for watching movies. I had the choice of watching Movies on Demand, renting or purchasing from a local video store, or purchasing and watching a movie online. I chose to rent this movie through my local cable company using Movie on Demand. This provided me with convenience and the ability to instantly watch this movie without having to leave home. In this market we have both increasing returns and Red Queens. DVD’s, Movie on Demand, and online movie renting are all considered to be red queens, because they all left VHS behind. Movie on Demand, online movie renting, and DVD kiosks are all increasing returns over local video rental stores. The local video stores such as Movie Gallery, Blockbuster, and Hollywood Videos are going out of business, filing for bankruptcy, and continuously closing more and more stores. The red queens in this movie industry are providing low cost, convenience, and technological advancements. I think DVD’s are becoming obsolete and Video on Demand is in the enhancement stages of the McLuhan’s tetrad.

Emmorfia

References:

Laureate Education (2009). Increasing Returns Retreived August 10, 2010 at http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=5847480&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

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


Additional Resources:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2009-06-30-netflix-future_N.htm
http://hubpages.com/hub/movie-rental-future
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/09/23/the-rise-and-fall-of-blockbuster.html

Second Life

Dr. Thornburg defines disruptive technology as a new technology with the same funcionality of an exisisting technology, but functions more efficiently and obsoletes the emerging technology. Disruptive technology is also called a wildcard. Second Life is disruptive, because it is a wildcard that changes and modifies the possible making everything impossible. Individuals are rapidly joining this virtual world game and experiencing false hopes. What they are able to do at Second Life is not what they are actually able to do and control in real life. It is helping to establish false hopes, motivations, and cravings to have what we can’t have or control. It is a great motivator that helps individuals to be more creative. Also, it is helping us to visualize what could be or changes that we can expect to see in the future. Second Life is like playing the game of life. We are able to make changes and control the scenarios, which is not something we can do in real life. Second Life provides excellent opportunities for socializing and addressing the needs of the many diverse learners that we have today. Also, it aids in the communication process, requires active participation, and opportunities to utilize simulation and modeling; which are all required experiences in the learning process. Second Life reminds me of the new Xbox Kinect(http://www.xbox.com/en-US/Kinect/GetStarted) game that my daughter just recently received.

Emmorfia


References:

Rosedale, P. (2008). Second Life [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html.

Thornburg, D. (n.d.). Disruptive Technologies. Retrieved October 31, 2010 from
http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=5863341&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1.


Additional Resources:

http://www.beatenetworks.com/blog/index.php?/archives/478-The-Technology-That-Will-Replace-Second-Life.html

Rhymes of History

How we communicate is a rhyme of history that current technology brings back to life. It is so amazing how technology such as Skype and web cameras still allows for face to face conversations. Communication and interaction still can occur when the communicators are hundreds of miles apart from each other. Both Skype and web cameras reminds me of a devised version of the telephone that was invented by Alexander Graham Bell. These two technologies not only allow us to hear what each person says, but we are also allowed to see each other and attach files/documents to be shared among the communicators.

Emmorfia

Emerging Technology Tetrad

The digital camera can store images digitally in several different ways. Most digital cameras function in much the same way as a traditional camera that uses film to record images, except that in place of the film, images are captured and preserved in the camera’s digital memory, which may be built-in or on a removable memory card/stick.

The flip camera is an improvement over other digital cameras. It provides quality pictures in a HD format; the sound quality is better and is very compact in size. This camera is very user friendly and has features/functions that is are simple to use. There is only one button to punch to begin recording and it has a transflective screen. The flip camera replaces the need to have USB cables, camera docks, video tapes, and memory cards. Also, there is no need to turn a wheel to focus the picture, nor is there a need to install additional software for video editing software. This camera has built in video editing software and image stabilization. The flip camera reminds me of those old bulky camcorders, Polaroid instant pictures, and having to have a variety of additional accessosries. The flip camera could be replaced with a variety of technology. Some examples of those technologies are a holographic camera, one that is wi-fi, and the Looxcie. The Looxcie looks where you look and sees what you see. It attaches to your head and allows you to record video with the natural turn of your own head. Looking similar to an oversized bluetooth head set, the Looxcie, shoots in HVGA quality.

Emmorfia


Resources:

http://www.looxcie.com/

Tegrity: An Emerging Technology

A current technology that has emerged in the last few years that is shaping learning and productivity in community colleges is the lecture capture software. Tegrity is an easy, efficient, and effective way to record your computer screen activity or document camera along with your voice narration and video and make it available to your students in a variety of formats. Tegrity requires little to no additional labor, time, or training. Tegrity can be used from any classroom computer or from your office or home computers to create lessons, demonstrations, video or audio feedback of student work, podcasts and other multimedia materials.

Tegrity Campus 2.0 is a platform for distance learning programs. As a Web service, Tegrity eliminates the need for manual installation and maintenance of server software, recording software or classroom based recording equipment. The instructor teaches as he or she normally would, anywhere they choose— classroom, office or beach. Tegrity automatically captures, stores and indexes the entire lecture, including PowerPoint slides, audio, video, Websites and any additional content the instructor chooses to present, for later retrieval by students over the Web. There’s no hardware or software to install, no need for extensive training, and no manual intervention (Flynn, 2009).

The problems or challenges with lecture capture software involve who should have access to the recordings and for how long. There are questions about the intellectual property of the recordings, how they are stored, and the policies governing their distribution. Another key issue that I have encountered with Tegrity is that pop up blocker will have to be disabled.

The societal needs and benefits of lecture capture software is that it is an alternative when students miss classes, provides an opportunity for content review, and helps to enhance instructional delivery of information through online course development. Also, instructors can add supplementary course related material in a designated easy accessible area. Tegrity positively impacts student learning, student satisfaction, and student retention without the need of an adjusted teaching style. Students no long have to decide between listening and taking notes. During class they can engage- listen more and learn more. After class, or before an exam students efficiently review class topics again using laptops, iPods, MP3 Players, or even their cell phones. If students have to miss a class they can access the class through Tegrity and be prepared for the next class session.

What would make this technology even better is when the concerns of intellectual property, copyright issues for recorded lectures, and handling of lectures are addressed. Address the needs of students by allowing them to annotate and reorganize the captured lectures into a format that is easier for them to learn and connect to.

Dr. Thornburg (2009a) stated that trends in educational technology that is causing transformation in today’s classrooms have a much greater impact than the technology that is being used to enhance it. Tegrity is definitely one of those trends.

Emmorfia

Additional Resources:

http://www.tegrity.com/
http://www.tegrity.com/showcase.html
http://www.tegrity.com/learn-more/news.html
http://www.tegrity.com/images/stories/pdf/tegrity_brochure_web.pdf
http://info.tegrity.com/Tegrity-Blog/bid/20302/Lecture-Capture-the-Student- Centered-Learning-Movement

References:

Jay, E. F. (2009). Emerging web 2.0 capabilities like wikis, blogs, podcasts and social networks are improving military students’ learning experience. Journal of Higher Learning for Todays Servicemember. Retrieved from http://www.military-advanced-education.com/military-advanced-education/102-mae-2009-volume-4-issue-2/868-interactive-and-online.pdf

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