EDUC 7108 - Red Queen vs Increasing Returns

In preparing to watch a movie, I typically seek to see what I can view digitally online. DVD and Blue-Ray discs are not convenient to use due to the fact they physically have to be purchased. Therefore, I digitally downloaded the movie Total Recall for review from Netflix. The Netflix service was much more convenient, and offered the video at a high quality. I am not just endorsing Netflix because I am a stockholder.
The current competition between Netflix and other DVD competitors represents an example of being an increasing return. Increasing returns represent a scenario where a competitor makes another competitor become essentially obsolete (Thornburg, 2014a). Consequently, I would not categorize the completion between Netflix and DVDs as being a red queen (Thornburg, 2014b). A red queen is demonstrative of two similar competitors that control a given market, however, I am of the opinion that DVDs are not in the same market as Netflix. The on-demand industry has grown beyond the selling videos, but companies, such as Netflix offer entertainment beyond a, meaning one, movie. A DVD is just a singular movie.
On McLuhan’s tetrad Netflix would be categorized as being at a point of “Enhancement” (Kelly, 2011). The on demand industry no longer has limits tied to a video, they have their own productions that are not offered on DVD. Due to this DVDs are moving to a point of obsolescence. Moreover, modern laptops no long carry a DVD port. We are witnessing the demise of the DVD.

References Kelly, O. (2011, October 17). McLuhan’s tetrads: what thy are and how they work [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://www.owenkelly.net/984/mcluhans-tetrads/
Laureate Education (Producer). (2014a). David Thornburg: Increasing returns [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2014b). David Thornburg: Red queens [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

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EDUC 7108 - Disruptive, Second Life Technologies

          A disruptive technology completely changes a tech market by making an existing technology become obsolete. Second life, or virtual reality worlds, have become disruptive technologies within the education field because they are allowing students to become involved in communal scenarios without being “physically present” (Nuthall, 2008).  Given the new ability for students to interact virtually, second life worlds begin to displace the need for learning in a traditional classroom setting. Nuthall (2008) points out that while second life may not be the best venue for a traditional lecture to take place, a “Powerpoint” would be quite conducive to be shown in a second life “theater.” Second life, however has some time before learning institutions, especially those in higher education, embrace second life for complete learning purposes. Second life could possibly become more readily available in classrooms by 2020 whereby many schools will more thank likely have 1:1 computer technology programs enabling all students to access the internet at home and at school. In the long run, second life might be overtaken by 3-D experiences that incorporate more marketing and Disney-like experiences that provide more thrill (McConnon & Reena, 2007).  Overall the social benefits of second life allow for global connections to be built as an enhancement of classroom learning. A drawback to learning within a second life environment has more to do with privacy than anything else. K-12 environments embracing second life will have to make parents feel comfortable about using this public platform for learning.

References: 

McConnon, A. & Reena, J. (2007, June 10). Beyond second life. Bloomberg Business. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2007-06-10/beyond-second-life

Nuthall, K. (2008, January 20). US: a disruptive technology arrives. University World News. Retrieved from http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20080117162121373

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EDUC 7108 - Technological Rhymes of History

Technological "rhymes of the history," according to Dr. Thornburg, exists through forms of technology that are currently in use, and "rekindle" thoughts of technological advancements/devices that have existed in the past (Laureate, 2009). Theses types of deja vu experiences are only evidenced by changes that have occurred through technological advancements. Thornburg, in his "rhymes of history" commentary, suggests that the "affects" of current technologies never really depart from old forms of technology, but create better experiences with technology. An example of this would SMARTboard technologies. SMARTboard replaces the use of the traditional chalkboard, but creates a computer-generated, visually interactive learning experience. SMARTboards build upon a similar experience that students had from the traditional chalk and board classroom settings. The SMARTboard even lessen the need for dependance on a class computer. Internet access comes directly through this technology and makes classroom lessons more "creative" (Mossien, 2015). As educational technology continues to enhance learning experiences across the globe the need for visual, more interactive remains to be an essential learning strategy. Kevin Kelly, asserts that technology increases choice, which in turn breeds creativity and innovation (Sirius, 2011). Therefore, as students and teachers make choices around their learning the need for greater technology exists and spurs a constant movement toward change and enhancement.

References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). Emerging and future technology: Rhymes of history. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Mossien, Kayla. (2015). Goodbye black board, hello SMART board. Retrieved from http://www.parentguidenews.com/Articles/GoodbyeBlackboardHelloSmartBoard

Sirius, R. U. (2011, January 19). What technology wants. what Kevin says. an interview with Kevin Kelly. Retrieved from http://hplusmagazine.com/2011/01/19/what-technology-wants-what-kevin-kelly-says-interview-kevin-kelly/

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EDUC 7108 - Obsolete/Replacement Technologies for Research

Obsolete Technology: Textbook Tetrad
Enhancements: Course text information located in one source Text combined with pictures Text is portable	Obsolescence: Print text lessened reliance on an orator Use of several smaller texts
Retrieval: Textbooks combine individual documents and important text	Reversal: Bulky Easily damaged or lost Textbook updates requires the purchase of a new textbook

Replacement: Online Textbooks
Enhancements: Paperless textbook Students can access all curriculum kit features Access to textbook anywhere/anytime	Obsolescence: Physical textbook Textbook related reproducibles Textbook damage/lost fees
Retrieval: Textbooks Class notes Supplemental class text documents Internet	Reversal: Time spent online Time spent in-front of a screen Internet loss

Interviews with school officials are being scheduled for the week of April 7th.

EDUC 7108 - Blog Community - IPad Air Technology Tetrad

IPad Air Tetrad
Enhancement: Apple’s IPad Air technology allows portable, lightweight access to computer technology on a flat screen surface. The pricing of an Apple IPad Air comes cheaper than that of a laptop. The Apple IPad Air also features access to applications that are predominately featured on a smartphone.	Obsolescence: Apple’s IPad Air technology lessens the need for use of the following: laptop smartphone physical books
Retrieval: The Apple IPad builds upon old personal device (PDA, Palm) technology.	Reversal: The undoing of the IPad Air technology may be linked to its price and outside competition. According to Howley (2013) the IPad outperforms in several categories when compared to other tablets, such as the Microsoft Surface 2.

All notes have been added into my tetrad.

References:

Howley, D. (2013, December 30). Face-off: Apple IPad vs Microsoft Surface 2. Retrieved from http://blog.laptopmag.com/ipad-air-vs-surface-2

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EDUC 7108 - Emerging Technology