Red Queens or Increasing Returns

To watch the Minority Report, I looked for ways to view it free of charge.  I called a few of my pals that I know are true movie buffs to see if maybe they had the DVD laying around somewhere, but they did not have it.  I called another friend to see if he had it on Netflix, but I could not get contact him.  I looked through Comcast Cablevision-On Demand and again, to no avail.  Then I thought to myself why not try Google it and see what happens?  The search brought me to YouTube where I could watch the whole movie in 10 minute increments.  For the first time, I watched a whole movie that had been stored in an online social environment.  In turn, it was a bit distracting picking it up where it left off every 10 minutes, but I certainly accomplished my mission of experiencing the movie free of charge (Shhhh).  Now that I reflect on that search, it has come to my attention that looking for a Blockbuster or Family Video store was really never even considered an option at the time.  I mean, I thought of it, but only as a last resort.  Video-on-demand, in one form or other, seemed to be the most viable solution to my problem.

This link is to a Wordpress Blog by Ryan Lawler and gives us a look at an interesting perspective of his thoughts about DVDs and the movie business in 2010.  Check it out.

The force of increasing returns consists of two innovations hitting the consumer market at the same time with one of them getting popular while driving the other to extinction (Laureate, 2009a).  The force of Red Queens on the other hand is directly related to competition between two technologies and leaves all other similar technology competitors choking on the dust created by their bursts in popularity (Laureate, 2009b).  Since the innovations of DVD and video-on-demand hit the market at vastly different times, I am inclined to believe the competition between the two delivery mediums to be an example of the force of Red Queens.  Furthermore, even though I foresee a decline in rental profits, DVDs are versatile enough to hang around for quite awhile.  As far as where these two delivery mediums are considering the four criteria of the McLuhan tetrad, well both would be falling into every criteria simultaneously.  I would dare to say concentrated efforts for DVDs is to refocus to what they are actually good for like storage, video recording anything lengthy, etc. while video-on-demand is evolving into whatever it will turn out to actually be.  Any predictions?  Instead of Napster, say Filmster?

I commented on Michele Baylor's blog @ http://msmichelle8842.blogspot.com/2012/08/module-5-red-queens-and-increasing.html?showComment=1344613381790#c8093960905646835932

I also commented on Keith Klein's blog @ https://kklein66.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/module-5-red-queens-and-increasing-returns/#comment-57

References

Laureate Education, Inc., (Executive Producer). (2009a). Increasing returns [Video webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_967488_1%26url%3D

Laureate Education, Inc., (Executive Producer). (2009b). Red queens [Video webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_967488_1%26url%3D

Second Life Virtual World

A virtual world (VW) delivers instinctive opportunities for people to reinvent themselves in familiar environments.  Most of the information delivered in a VW is presented with images which is the most powerful iconic symbols for human perception (TED, 2007).  To me, Second Life (SL) is a more realistic social network that transcends other social networking sites with realistic avatar’s created by the users.  The participants and developers call their personal avatar’s resident’s which infers they believe, in some way, they actually are living in the cyber environment.  In a weird and wonderful way, participants get a chance to reinvent themselves as they feel they would like to be and put themselves in the past, present, and future environments that were never possible to be a part of before.  This certainly seems to be attractive for people who have exhausted themselves on other online social environments or who are just fed up with their own realities.  Furthermore, Second Life makes essential and tangible socialization with others within the environment possible unlike other social networking sites.  The clip below is an example of how SL transcends an event that happened 100 years ago.  It is quite moving for it is almost like I was there and at that time.

A disruptive technology has been described as a technology that functions much like an existing one, but rather it functions more efficiently and can eventually make the mature technology obsolete (Laureate, 2009a).  Second Life can be considered a disruptive technology even though it initially did not take off as expected.  For residents, SL has expanded conference calling technology to multimedia.  Though still used, it would seem that conference calling takes a big hit in the capacity of users since SL has become mainstream.  The dynamics of the SL environments are, at least initially, quite stimulating and interesting as compared to prior static networks like conference calling.  Ironically, SL has lost some of its overall popularity since it peaked a few years back.  I do feel that SL does have substantial life left at least until the future of Web tools (3.0) hits critical mass.  In terms of years, the newest evolution of the Web has been predicted to hit critical mass sometime around the year 2015.  It is then that I feel SL will officially start to lose its luster.  The social benefits of the current SL environments are numerous, yet can be much improved upon.  It gives everyone interested an opportunity to not only reinvent themselves, but it gives everyone a primitive look in the direction of the future of interactive social media. 

For public K-12 students and teachers, SL has yet to really make any significant impact at least in my neck of the woods (Michigan).  In the SL environments, inhabitants certainly want to be there (laureate, 2009b) and I am sure what replaces it will have the same attractiveness as far as socialization.  Whatever innovation it is that replaces SL, I look for it to be much improved as far as objectives beyond socialization.  In order to be an acceptable forum for K-12 learning, the focus of the environment needs distinguish itself as a purposeful leaning environment rather than just a place to gather like at the in-office the water cooler.  I am optimistic for the future though for the future of immersive technologies looks to be bright and at least headed in the right direction.  Am I currently sold on VWs?  Not quite.  Do I predict my current perceptions to change with the introduction and usability of the technology that will replace SL?  Most certainly.

I responded to Brandi Renfro's and Keith Klein's blog.       

References

Laureate Education, Inc., (Executive Producer). (2009a). Disruptive technologies [Video webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_963448_1%26url%3D

Laureate Education, Inc., (Executive Producer). (2009b). Virtual worlds for multimedia learning [Video webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_963448_1%26url%3D

TED. (Producer). (2007). Philip Rosedale on Second Life [Video webcast]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html

Rhymes of History Technology

Digital imaging for consumer grade still and video cameras has progressed quite aggressively over the last decade or so.  With this advancement, the devices continuously became smaller, a great deal cheaper, and much more advanced as far as storage and capabilities.  Evolving technologies are somewhat predictable in that new developments tend to rekindle something from the distant past (Laureate, 2009).  In the case of digital camera imaging, there is a flashback to distant and even more recent times.  With digital imaging, the camera owner instantly gets an image to view which delivers the opportunity to pick and choose images to keep or delete.  This gives instant opportunities for people to share stories with visuals.  It reminds me of the days of the Polaroid instant picture camera and even goes much further back resembling the initial use of utensils for creating imaging on cave walls.  Instant access to images certainly can help convey information about an event and create more excitement and better understandings.  This is nice for now most everyone has access to a device they can instantly grab images from in order to spread the news.  Personal or public electronic news gathering (ENG) can be accomplished by just about anyone and mainstreamed to others easily, including television stations.  Where does the realm of the digital camera go from here?  Check out the short video below about the New iPad and the improved camera features below.

In late 2007, Kevin Kelly spoke of how the Web would be transformed into in the next 5,000 days (currently more like 3,500).  He mentions three different ways the Web and other technologies will be transformed.  First, he speaks of embodiment, then restructuring, and then co-dependence (TED, 2007).  These can be applied to the realm of the consumer-grade digital camera of today.  Currently, mobile devices like smartphones and iPad series tablets are carrying two multi-purpose digital cameras for Skype and recording still and video imaging.  Consumers have barely scratched the surface of how and more importantly what to use these cameras for.  Because of this, it seems we have yet to quite complete the embodiment phase Kelly speaks of.  News gathering is good, but quality field production would be difficult to accomplish using these devices.  Will these cameras be of any value in the educational sectors of our society for anything other than news gathering?  Restructuring of mobile devices may include relatively the same digital camera technologies, but also some video stabilization and even a place to attach a tri-pod.  Innovative improvements in production values make for better quality presentations.  Eventually, a co-dependence should evolve to where people will consider their mobile cameras as necessity for their private lives, school, and work.  Similar to what Kelly expressed about us all becoming much more personal to the Web and actually being a part of it (TED, 2007), so to should digital cameras on Internet accessible mobile devices.  It by then looks as if these cameras we carry will be more of a constant for more significant productions as well as a common extension of our perceptions of prior events.         

References

Laureate Education, Inc., (Executive Producer). (2009). Rhymes of history [Video webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_967488_1%26url%3D

TED. (Producer). (2007). Kevin Kelly on the next 5,000 days of the Web [Video webcast]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_kelly_on_the_next_5_000_days_of_the_web.html

  

Emerging Technologies Tetrad

Blog Tetrad of Three Dimensional Television (3-D TV) – Tim Weaver EDUC-7108

Enhancement What does 3-D TV enhance (Hempell, 1996)?  The viewing of television is more realistic than ever before with an improved three dimensional realistic field for visuals with surround-sound.    Retrieval What does 3-D TV retrieve that had earlier been obsolesced (Hempell, 1996)?  Home theatre-like feel provides economic way for friends and family to enjoy movies.  Getting together to go to the movies can be done right in the living room.

Reversal What will 3-D TV turn into when pushed to limits of potential (Hempell, 1996)? Normal television watching will consist of choices between 3-D and standard HDTV.  Eventually, HDTV falls to 3-D and 3-D as will fall to holographic television. Obsolescence What will 3-D TV erode to be obsolete (Hempell, 1996)?  HDTV will eventually fall to obsolescence as will 3-D with future improvements of 3-D and eventually holographic television.

There are no doubts that television has certainly evolved into something quite spectacular since conception in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s.  In just over 80 years, the technology has changed at incredible length to the advancements TV offers today.  The transition from analog to digital formatting around the turn of the new millennium to what is now emerged and standardized High-Definition Television (HDTV) offers us TV like never before.  On the emerging end of TV today is 3-D imaging and promises of realism like never before.  Early reports claim from spectators this technology can convince the viewer objects exist outside of the flat screen (Digital Trends, 2012).  The tetrad for 3-D TV relays the representation of the emerging technology and what it has improved, retrieved, reversed, and relationships to obsolescence.  Basically, 3-D TV is set to most likely become popular and standardized and eventually replace HDTV.  A home-theatre will bring back economically attractive movie or entertainment nights to family/friends that used to frequent actual movie theatres.  Eventually, 3-D TV is challenged by holographic imaging and eventually pushed aside to make room for the futuristic medium.

Mr Scott Puopolo elaborates more on the future of television.

Resources

Digital Trends. (2012). The future of television and HDTV. Retrieved from http://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-future-of-television-and-hdtv/

Hempell, A. (1996). The tetrad: Concept. Retrieved from http://www.anthonyhempell.com/papers/tetrad/concept.html

Mod - 1 Peer Posting - 7108

I posted to Rachel McCullough @ http://emergingandfuturetechnologie.blogspot.com/2012/06/module-1-june-13-2012-smart-table-is.html?showComment=1340134523187#c5613302798641249368

& Anwar Mohammad @ http://anwar-mohammad.blogspot.com/2012/06/emerging-and-future-technologies-educ.html?showComment=1340135756034#!/2012/06/emerging-and-future-technologies-educ.html

& AJ @ http://anethajaye7108.blogspot.com/2012/06/johnson-module-1-blog.html?showComment=1340136691087#c6816374745298249410

Identify an Emerged Technology

MD1Assign2WeaverT – Blog Post

As an interim teacher that is employed by as many as 10 different K-12 school districts for the last few years, I have noticed that a few have switched over to the Blackboard (Bb) Learning Management System (LMS) in their institutions.  Using Bb at Walden U. is a new venture for me and is considered an emerging technology.  For the teachers and students at the institutions using Bb, it has emerged as the prominent LMS for everyday life in their learning environments which makes it an already emerged technology.  Beyond hardware, it is software and software services that are actually the growth industry in technology (Soloway, n.d.) and Bb seems to be leading the surge.

Here is a link to Blackboard Blogs @ http://blog.blackboard.com/products-services/blackboard-collaborate/liven-your-lms/ to get a better feel for what is currently happening. 

I have noticed so far that most teachers only use the software for managing their own classes, but it can do so much more.  Bb is capable of helping institutional clients use the software to reach stakeholders in immediate, personalized, and innovative ways (Blackboard, 2012).  Most teachers I have noticed so far use it primarily for course/student management and caregiver correspondence.  This is certainly nice for students who can check their grades anytime throughout the course.  Staying current on their own progress certainly helps them stay on task and manage themselves.  For caregivers, it meets the social needs of following along with student progress so adjustments can be made on the fly rather than after the summative grade of the course.  What Bb provides so far is certainly very beneficial and necessary, but it is capable of so much more.  An example is Bb offers more engaging, interactive, individualized learning experiences (2012) like discussion, collaboration, and mobile services for online usability.  It seems so far there is not much interest in this at the K-12 levels of education. 

Of course like any newly introduced technology, problems and challenges have surfaced.  The primary problem focuses on instructional training.  As Bb access becomes more and more widespread, it would certainly be wise for educational systems to take aggressive actions in staff development.  This is necessary for instructors to improve their pedagogy and take advantage of online tools that are available for immediate use (Thornburg, 2009).  Though I have noticed that teachers are quite familiar with what Bb offers in course management, they look at me quite puzzled when I mention other possibilities it offers for student interactivity and knowledge building.  Now with many students carrying mobile devices, the deeper question is how educational systems, with whatever LMS they choose to implement, will respond to students who use these powerful devices (2009).  The Bb technology is relatively sound for now and the capabilities outnumber K-12 teacher capabilities in how to effectively use it in a non-traditional sense.  To make use of the software technology in a more engaging sense, online research, communication, and collaboration channels need to be opened of which Bb is capable of doing so.  As long as legislation keeps public schools constrained with traditional antics for learning, I do not see K-12 teachers going out of their ways to explore this.  It is a “little” thing called American educational reform and until this happens, revelations in new software technology will remain slow-moving, at least in that sector of education.             

References

Blackboard, (2012). About Bb: We are here to improve your story. Retrieved on June 18, 2012 from http://www.blackboard.com/About-Bb/Overview.aspx

Soloway, E. (n.d.). Emerging vs. emerged technologies. Walden University Emerging and Future Technology. Podcast retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201270_01/PH_EDUC/NCATE_EDUC_8848_EDUC_7108/Module%201/Resources/Resources/embedded/EDUC_8848_EE_Transcript.pdf

Thornburg, D. D. (2009). Current trends in educational technology. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201270_01/PH_EDUC/NCATE_EDUC_8848_EDUC_7108/Module%201/Resources/Resources/embedded/current_trends_in_ed_tech.pdf

Welcome Doc Thornburg & Peers for EDUC-7108

Hi folks.  Welcome and feel free to comment.

Tim