Module 4 - Responses

Sandra Wenzel

Stephen Raymond

Kat Crawford

Module 4 - The Disruptive Power of Second Life

• How is Second Life a disruptive technology?

Second Life is disruptive because it quickly added an ability for people to meet, collaborate, and create virtually through technology.  We could now do a lot of new things using this "virtual world" without the costs of doing it for real.

• What technology or innovation did it displace?

Theoretically, this could replace the phone, video conferencing, email, etc.  One example from the assigned resources mentioned how a professor was able to offer office hours "virtually" through Second Life.  I found this interesting because I also teach at a college and rarely have time to meet with students.  However, I could possibly set up office hours, or even just use "My Office" as a place to congregate and the students might even be able to help each other.

• How many years do you think Second Life has left before another emerging technology or disruptive technology replaces it?

I think Second Like does not have too much longer because, it is very useful, but only the tech savy people will truly use it to its greatest capacity.  The interface and programming is not necessarily for the basic user (or could be very intimidating to the the novice).  With computers becoming ever powerful, the abilty of this software along with ease-of-use will help make this software more user friendly which will increase the percentage of adoption.

• What are the social benefits of Second Life, and what might be the social implications of virtual worlds in your industry?

The benefits are definitely the ability to communicate in a virtual world (which mimics real life) and allows people to communicate regardless of locale.  It also gives the ability for those who have difficulty communicating in public an alternative.  HOwever, the social implications of this is that people lose the social interactions from having interactions face-to-face.  People can get too comfortable communicating from behind a computer that they lose the abilty to communicate in person.

"We may prefer our digital life"

Philip Rosedale on Second Life

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html

Module 3 - Responses

Sandra Wenzel

Stephen Raymond

Kat Crawford

Module 3 - Ryhmes of History Technology

‘History never repeats itself but it rhymes,’ said Mark Twain.”

One of the most predominant rhymes occuring right now is the possible turn towards personal learning. I understand it might be low level learning now but with advent of mobile technology and especially the iPad, people are reading and learning more about the world around them.

People used to read to learn about things they didn't experience. For a long time we did this but through portals like major newspapers, news on tv, or our educators. However, our information was only as good as our portals. Unfortunately, these resources were limited and we were at the mercy of their focus.

Now we have large amounts of resources, and with the help of social networks, this information can be managed and focused.

I know it might be optimistic, but I think more people will learn more but I hope what is being learned is not only how "Snookie" from the Jersey Shore makes her "Poof" so high.

(PS --- Sorry for the late post :)!

Module 2 - Responses

Sandra Wenzel

Stephen Raymond

Kat Crawford