The disruptive power of turning fantasy into reality!
Elon University/Pew Internet Project. (n.d.). Imagining the Internet: A history and forecast: Forward 150 timeline. Retrieved from: http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/predictions/forward150years.pdf
Second Life is considered a disruptive technological force because it provides options to people who want to participate in 3D zones. Our fantasies may be a force behind emerging technologies and new innovations. Technology visionaries use imagination to change society by bringing new technology into existence. According to Thornburg, both disruptive technologies and science fiction are exciting and creative forces that drive technologies to emerge Technologies are present in the imagination long before they emerge as existing technology. For example, augmented reality is a technology in the world of fantasy that is emerging; the applications of this technology are enumerable. According to, Clayton Christensen, disruptive technologies explain what happens when a new technology comes as a surprise and replaces a current technology.
Second Life provides a place where its people can network, socialize, and share ideas with each other. This idea gives room for technology visionaries to explore the possibilities of developing technology conceived in imagination by generating creative ideas that challenge social norms. Second Life, is a great example of a disruptive technologies for bringing about technological innovations in the Edutainment industry. I’ve always wondered what an on-line classroom would be like if it was powered by this type of technology. Thanks to the makes of Second Life students in our free tutoring program at Aspire Innovative Learning, Inc. will have the opportunity to participate in a 3-D Virtual Classroom. I’m excited about the possibilities for technologies that have not yet emerged; educational leaders must embrace emerging technologies to overcome the obstacles associated with organizational adoption.
Second Life, has unique social benefits that I hope have a grate impact on virtual worlds like the on-line classroom. Educational holodecks are a prefect example of how science fiction has served as a force for emerging technologies. Science fiction expands the boundaries of imagination by allowing the technology visionary to imagine a totally different world. This type of thinking allows technology to exist that represents the world, not as it is, but the way we wish it to be. I am interested in examining obsolete versus emerging on-line learning environments. The impact of disruptive technologies and science fiction are clear concepts that explain obsolescence, inception, and emerging technology in the field of on-line learning. Each time I see a new technology in films or read about in books I consider the technology visionary that is working to bring it to existence.
Resources:
Thornburg, D. D. (2009). Science Fiction. [Video Vodcast]. Baltimore, MD: Laureate Education, Inc.
Thornburg, D. D. (2009). Science Fiction. [Video Vodcast]. Baltimore, MD: Laureate Education, Inc.
Elon University/Pew Internet Project. (n.d.). Imagining the Internet: A history and forecast: Forward 150 timeline. Retrieved from: http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/predictions/forward150years.pdf
Jasmine, I loved reading your latest addition to the blog. I am still on the fence about Second Life being truly a disruptive technology, but there is little disagreement on the potential impact it can have on our classrooms. Second Life at first glance seems like the perfect vehicle for engaging our students’ attention and imagination.
ReplyDeleteJasmine, I too am in awe of the creative minds that are able to think of new technologies. I hope that in our world of accountability and standardized testing, we don't squelch creativity.
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