Module 5 Blog Post on Red
Queens and Increasing Returns
In knowledge-based companies, opposing companies
compete in winner-takes-all markets. Arthur (1996) states that active managers
that want Increasing Returns watch for the next wave of technology that is coming.
They work towards figuring out what shape it will take, and the position their company
will take to gain an advantage. As related technologies emerge, competition may
occur between two new emerging technologies. Thornburg (Laureate Education,
2014e) points out that with Increasing Returns, by chance – one technology gets
locked in and drives the other technology into extinction. An example of
Increasing Returns is the battle between Panasonic VHS video tapes and Sony
Betamax video tapes. Betamax video tapes give a higher quality picture in comparison
to VHS video tapes. However, Panasonic at the time was able to provide available
software and pre-recorded videos that were more cost effective at the time. As
a result, the Panasonic VHS video format obsoletes the Sony Betamax video format.
Thornburg (Laureate Education, 2014e) states that the concept of “Increasing
Returns” comes from a branch of mathematics known as Chaos and Complexity
Theory. Theorists can apply mathematical equations to help explain the emergence
of new technologies. Emerging technologies do not follow a linear process. The process
is always nonlinear.
The Red Queen is a result of the two
technologies competing against each other. Thornburg (2013d) says that with the
Red Queen, the two competitive technologies compete at such a rapid pace. Both
technologies start running as fast as they can, yet, no matter how fast they
run; they seem to be staying in the same place. The concept of the Red Queen
reigns from Lewis Carroll’s (1946) novel Through
the Looking Glass.
In Module 4, the
assignment was to obtain a science fiction movie – identify, and characterize
the different technologies. Fortunately, I was able to find my DVD copy of the
movie Star Trek into Darkness (2013).
There is a current competition in the video industry between DVDs and
video-on-demand. The two competitors are an example of a Red Queen rivalry.
Thornburg
(2013e) examines Marshall McLuhan’s Laws of Media, which impact the nature of
new and emerging technologies. There are many consumers that wish to own and
buy DVDs.DVDs enhance the ability for
consumers to watch videos through both DVD players and computers. DVDs obsolete
the use of video cassette players. DVDs also rekindle the experience of
families selecting a program to watch together. DVD sales can also reverse to
video-on-demand.
Video-on-demand
enhances a consumer’s video rental experience. Consumers can use their TV and
cable remotes to rent or buy a video they wish to see. Video-on-demand also
obsoletes video outlet stores such as Blockbuster. Now, consumers do rent
movies through Red Box at their local retail stores. Video-on-demand can one
day obsolete the purchase of DVDs. Video-on-demand rekindles the experience of
families selecting a program to watch together. Video-on-demand can one day
reverse to a device such as Google Glass.
References
Arthur, W. B. (1996).
Increasing returns and the new world of business. Harvard Business
Review, 74(4), 100−109.Retrieved from the Walden
Library databases.
Laureate Education
(Producer). (2014e). David Thornburg: Increasing returns [Video file].
Baltimore,
MD: Author.
Laureate Education
(Producer). (2014g). David Thornburg: Red queens [Video file]. Baltimore,
IL: Thornburg Center for Space
Exploration. Thornburg, D. (2008). Emerging Technologies and McLuhan's Laws of Media.
Used with permission of David Thornburg.
Thornburg, D. (2013d).
Red queens, butterflies, and strange attractors: Imperfect
lenses into emergent technologies. Lake Barrington, IL:
Thornburg Center for Space Exploration. Thornburg, D. (2014). Red Queens, Butterflies, and Strange Attractors:
Imperfect Lenses into Emergent Technologies. Licensed via Creative Commons
Attribution-No Derivs 3.0 United States License.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/ Third-party images removed.
Module 4 Blog Post on
the Disruptive Power of Google Glass
A disruptive technology is a technology that displaces another
technology. Thornburg (Laureate Education, 2014a) defines a disruptive technology
as new technology with the same functionality of an existing technology. The
new technology functions more efficiently. In fact, the new technology will
obsolete the previous technology.
Google Glass is an example of a disruptive technology that can
eventually replace cell phones and tablets. According to The Financial Express
(2014, October) Google Glass displays information at eye level in a
smartphone-like hands-free format. Similar to a smartphone, users can video
record, make phone calls, take pictures and search the internet with voice
commands. An article from Tech Life (2013, July) claims that within the
overlay, there is a prism that beams light onto the user’s retina. The prism
receives from a tiny projector inside the lens. The user can see the physical
world and all relevant data regarding their physical world.
Testers all over the
world are using the Google Glass device to gather the social benefits of using
it. Google Glass is an overlay of the world that users will see around them. According
to Tech Life (2013, July) Google Glasses users get data and applications in the
context of what they are doing or from where they are looking. Users can take
pictures and video tape their surroundings. Users can get the time and weather
report in their current location. The can map out and navigate their way to a
destination. Users can translate information into a language they prefer.
Google Glass (2014, October) also allows users to learn geographical and
historical from their current location. Users can use the voice control to take
notes with the feature Evernote. They can also use Google to find recipes while
they are taking out their ingredients. Google Glass offers features for active
users. Users can gage and map their walking, running, weightlifting, and
circuit training workouts. In an educational setting. There are a few social
implications as users engage in using Google Glass. Newman (2013, May) points
out privacy violations. The device has a built-in camera that can sneakily take
photos and video at any time. There are also social implications with
etiquette. It may be rude to Google Glass a person’s profile when you are
speaking directly to that person. Parents may also have a difficult time
monitoring what their children are viewing through Google Glass. In a public
school setting, the device may be useful for gathering data and performing
laboratory exercises. However, the device may also promote academic dishonesty.
In five – ten years another
emerging technology will replace Google Glass. Holography is an emerging technology which enables users to
make three-dimensional images. Holograms use a laser, diffraction, light
intensity recording and illumination. The image appears three-dimensional as
the viewing system changes the position and orientation of the image. There is
a projection that the use of holographic telepresence will bring digital
participants and remote location to classrooms with the use of three-dimensional
technology.
References
Applying
google glass. (2014, October). The
Financial Express. Retrieved from
Module 3 Assignment
Blog Post on Rhymes of History Technology
Emerging technologies have the
capability of rekindling societal patterns from the past. Dr. Thornburg
(Laureate Education, 2014h) states through rhymes of history, the affect or
impact of a new development rekindles something from the distant past. New
technology brings a fresh emergence of the impact that users feel from a
previous technology (Laureate Education, 2014j). Dr. Thornburg (Laureate
Education, 2014h) points out that it is not the technology. The affect from the
technology rekindles something from the past.
An example of a technology that
represents a rhyme in history is video streaming. Streaming media usage is
growing exponentially over the past few years. Streaming technologies use
compression to shrink the size of the audio and video files so that users can
retrieve and play by remote in real time. In Houlton, Main the WHOU-FM station
produces live video streams of many games it covers on its website. Clark (2014,
September) states that video streaming of basketball games rekindles memories
of success from the Houlton boys’ basketball team. A group of Houlton fans take
a flight to Bangor to catch the Shiretowners at the Eastern Maine Class C
semifinal and championship games. A week later, they rekindle the memory
through watching the game through video streaming. Live
video streaming of high school sports is relatively new to Maine, with several
companies around the state providing the service.
Private
entities like WHOU seek to keep pace with video streaming technology, schools
that provide the ultimate talent — the players and coaches — are experiencing
their own learning curve regarding such issues as balancing the promotional
exposure from the video streams with its possible impact on game attendance.
References
Clark, E. (2014,
September). Live video streaming brings new audience to Maine high school
Module 2 Assignment
Blog Post on Emerging Technologies Tetrad
There is an expectation for leaders
in educational technology to be aware of new emerging technologies. Thornburg
(2013e) examines Marshall McLuhan’s Laws of Media, which seek to answer
questions that form a tetrad of the four laws of media. The first law extends
or amplifies a technology to do something new (Laureate Education, 2014f;
Thornburg, 2013e). The second law demonstrates obsolescence, where a new
technology will drive and supersede an old technology (Laureate Education,
2014f; Thornburg, 2013e). The third law is retrieval which rekindles something
from the past (Laureate Education, 2014f; Thornburg, 2013e). The fourth law is
reversal to help set the stage for a technology replacement (Laureate
Education, 2014f; Thornburg, 2013e).
Holography is an emerging technology
which enables users to make three-dimensional images. Holograms use a laser,
diffraction, light intensity recording and illumination. The image appears three-dimensional
as the viewing system changes the position and orientation of the image. Walsh
(2012, November) projects holograms as being the next step forward towards the
evolution of technology. There is a projection that the use of holographic
telepresence will bring digital participants and remote location to classrooms
with the use of three-dimensional technology.
synchronously to students anywhere in the country. Holograms will allow educators to bring their content to life. Learners can experience sites and sounds during instruction that can enhance their classroom learning (Walsh, 2012 November).
Figure 1
Emerging Technology – Holograms
Enhances –
Allows experts and facilitators the ability to illustrate processes live, and in person
Allows instructors to deliver lectures to multiple classrooms, anywhere, simultaneously
Allows experts to deliver a new dimension to instructional content.
Obsoletes –
Need to use overhead projectors, whiteboards, chalkboards, filming projectors, digital and video tape players, and possibly interactive whiteboards
Retrieves/Rekindles –
Ability for teachers to promote teacher to student discourse
Ability to rekindle pedagogical practices that promote cognitive learning
Ability for teachers to facilitate rich classroom discussions and clarification
Reverses –
Into three-dimensional simulations to for teaching physical world concepts to students
As an emerging technology, holograms allow experts such as facilitators to model and demonstrate a strategy without having to be in a classroom. The instructors deliver instruction
Holograms obsolete the need for overhead projectors, whiteboards, chalkboards, filming projectors, digital and video tape players. Holograms may eventually replace interactive whiteboards. A three-dimensional presence can enhance the learner’s instructional experience.
Holograms retrieve the ability to promote learner engagement. Teachers can use the three-dimensional models to promote teacher to student discourse. Modeling the features from three-dimensional objects allows teachers to rekindle pedagogical practices that promote cognitive learning. Holograms will allow students to demonstrate and also model what they know. The features allow teachers to facilitate rich classroom discussions and clarification.
Holograms may reverse into three-dimensional simulations. Two-dimensional computer simulations already exist to support students in focusing on a particular task. Imagine being able to provide holographic simulations where students can interact with three-dimensional objects that models a real world environment.
In the medical field holography is providing the world with the first
3D holographic display and interface system, initially for medical imaging
applications.
References
Laureate
Education (Producer). (2014f). David Thornburg: McLuhan’s Tetrad [Video
file].
