Addressing The Digital Divide
“The future arrived; it just wasn’t equally distributed.” William Gibson
In the 1998 U.S. Department of Commerce report, Falling Through the Net II: New Data on the Digital Divide showed that more people had computers they did not necessarily have access to online and certain groups so do not own computers (ED Home Technology, 2006). The lack of this access causes some students to lack the ability improve learning through utilizing educational software, adults the ability to improve technological skills and the advantage of families to stay connected.
Therefore, as an educational technology leader it is essential when discussing or utilizing emerging technologies that I take a global perspective on emerging technologies and the effect they may have on various cultures. In order to make emerging technologies valuable to others, while maintaining gender, cultural and economic sensitivity, as Dr. Thornburg states one must understand what valuable means, “Valuable means understand a culture well enough to help people incorporate new ideas into their culture” (Thornburg, 2009). Therefore, we implementing these emerging technologies into other countries it is essential to consider the culture and what would be appropriate given their actuality. Another way to bridge the gap of the digital divide is to receive funding from government programs for communities and schools to reduce inequalities in educational technologies and internet access. The final way to make emerging technologies valuable to others while considering gender, cultural and economic issues is by providing support. Dr. Elliot Soloway mentions how it is not only money, but support and services. “If you get technology that’s emerging, sometimes it doesn’t work so well and you need support structures” (Soloway, 2009). Therefore, as a leader in educational technology it is essential that we prepare our students to utilize these emerging technologies, but we first must understand how to use them ourselves and their impact in the classroom so that we can support our students with implementing these emerging technologies in the classroom.
References
ED, Home Technology, (2006). ED programs that help bridge the digital divide. ED Home Technology, Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/Technology/digdiv.html
Soloway, E. (n.d.). The digital divide: Leveling the playing field. [Podcast]. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=5797856&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Thornburg, D.D. (2009). Diversity and globalism. [Vodcast]. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from
http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=5797856&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Additional Websites
Falling Through the Net: Toward Digital Inclusion Report
http://search.ntia.doc.gov/pdf/fttn00.pdf
Caught in the Digital Divide
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech041.shtml
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Red Queens and Increasing Returns
Red Queens and Increasing Returns
Responded to http://janedewitt.blogspot.com/
and http://everythingeducational.blogspot.com/
When we had to obtain a DVD for the science fiction assignment, I went to Blockbuster to rent a movie based on Philip K. Dick book. However, after renting the movie at a regular Blockbuster store I remembered the Blockbuster Express kiosk machine which I could have rented the movie for only a dollar, whereas in the store I had to pay over five dollars. My final thought was I could have stayed home and located the movie online for free, but with such a busy schedule I went to the Blockbuster store, since it was on my way home from working in my classroom.
Dr. Thornburg defines Increasing Returns as, “when two innovations hit the market at about the same time and by chance one technology gets locked in and drives the other to extinct” (Thornburg, 2009). On the other hand he defines Red Queens as a force that drives emerging technologies when, “huge competition between two technologies and in the process all other competitors are left behind” (Thornburg, 2009). Therefore, when regarding the competition between DVDs and video on demand and deciding the force I that drives these emerging technologies I would say the competition is an example of Red Queens. There has been a continuous competition between videos on demand and renting or purchasing a DVD. Most people tend to either watch movies on demand or rent DVDs from a kiosk because of convenience and low costs. With on demand and free movies online you no longer have to travel to purchase a movie and the movie is instantly available to you and your family. Although you have to travel when renting movies from a kiosk machine you only have to spend one dollar to rent a movie which is a reasonable price and many of the machines are located in grocery stores and other convenient locations. A website that is available for watching free movies online is http://www.letmewatchthis.com/ .
I believe that both DVDs and video on demand have both enhanced the way we watch movies. However, I believe that many of the free on movies online resources and videos on demands will obsolete renting DVDs, which I believe is currently occurring with the closing of several video rental stores. The use of DVDs and videos on demand has rekindled family time in the household. Nevertheless, I believe that in the future the viewing and purchasing on movies will occur on line because many sites offer free movies or a lost cost to view movies.
Thornburg, D. D. (2009). Increasing returns. [Vodcast]. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=5797856&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Thornburg, D. D. (2009). Red queens. [Vodcast]. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=5797856&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Responded to http://janedewitt.blogspot.com/
and http://everythingeducational.blogspot.com/
When we had to obtain a DVD for the science fiction assignment, I went to Blockbuster to rent a movie based on Philip K. Dick book. However, after renting the movie at a regular Blockbuster store I remembered the Blockbuster Express kiosk machine which I could have rented the movie for only a dollar, whereas in the store I had to pay over five dollars. My final thought was I could have stayed home and located the movie online for free, but with such a busy schedule I went to the Blockbuster store, since it was on my way home from working in my classroom.
Dr. Thornburg defines Increasing Returns as, “when two innovations hit the market at about the same time and by chance one technology gets locked in and drives the other to extinct” (Thornburg, 2009). On the other hand he defines Red Queens as a force that drives emerging technologies when, “huge competition between two technologies and in the process all other competitors are left behind” (Thornburg, 2009). Therefore, when regarding the competition between DVDs and video on demand and deciding the force I that drives these emerging technologies I would say the competition is an example of Red Queens. There has been a continuous competition between videos on demand and renting or purchasing a DVD. Most people tend to either watch movies on demand or rent DVDs from a kiosk because of convenience and low costs. With on demand and free movies online you no longer have to travel to purchase a movie and the movie is instantly available to you and your family. Although you have to travel when renting movies from a kiosk machine you only have to spend one dollar to rent a movie which is a reasonable price and many of the machines are located in grocery stores and other convenient locations. A website that is available for watching free movies online is http://www.letmewatchthis.com/ .
I believe that both DVDs and video on demand have both enhanced the way we watch movies. However, I believe that many of the free on movies online resources and videos on demands will obsolete renting DVDs, which I believe is currently occurring with the closing of several video rental stores. The use of DVDs and videos on demand has rekindled family time in the household. Nevertheless, I believe that in the future the viewing and purchasing on movies will occur on line because many sites offer free movies or a lost cost to view movies.
Thornburg, D. D. (2009). Increasing returns. [Vodcast]. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=5797856&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Thornburg, D. D. (2009). Red queens. [Vodcast]. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=5797856&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The Disruptive Power of Second Life
The Disruptive Power of Second Life
I responded to
http://janedewitt.blogspot.com/
and http://everythingeducational.blogspot.com/
Dr. Thornburg defines a disruptive technology as, “A new technology with the same functionality of an existing technology, but it functions more efficiently and then obsoletes that technology” (Thornburg, 2009). Second Life which is a 3D virtual world community is considered a disruptive technology because it is a technology that arrived unexpectedly and has the ability to obsolete some technologies in the future.
Second Life is a virtual world that enables people to connect and collaborate with others, and the opportunity to explore your creative side by traveling around and discovering your interest and yourself, which many present technologies do not have the same capabilities as Second Life regarding collaboration and connection in which one can recreate themselves and explore new interest in a virtual world. I think that second life have replaced the basic chat rooms and may soon replace various video games and other simulations that are similar to Second Life. I still consider Second Life as an emerging technology, however technology is constantly changing and improving therefore I would say maybe seven or eight years before a disruptive technology takes its place.
“Second Life was designed as a social networking platform- to encourage social interaction” (Second Life, 2009). Therefore, Second Life encourages social interaction by providing an engaging learning environment, the ability to collaborate with other organizations and rich in world learning experiences. Regarding elementary education Second Life has the ability to engage all types of learners and encourages participation.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). Disruptive Technologies”. Emerging and future technologies, Baltimore: Author Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=4246563&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1.
Second Life (2009). Second Life. Retrieved from http://education.secondlife.com/whysl/advantages/
Resource
http://secondlife.com/
Rosedale, P. (2008). Second Life [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html.
I responded to
http://janedewitt.blogspot.com/
and http://everythingeducational.blogspot.com/
Dr. Thornburg defines a disruptive technology as, “A new technology with the same functionality of an existing technology, but it functions more efficiently and then obsoletes that technology” (Thornburg, 2009). Second Life which is a 3D virtual world community is considered a disruptive technology because it is a technology that arrived unexpectedly and has the ability to obsolete some technologies in the future.
Second Life is a virtual world that enables people to connect and collaborate with others, and the opportunity to explore your creative side by traveling around and discovering your interest and yourself, which many present technologies do not have the same capabilities as Second Life regarding collaboration and connection in which one can recreate themselves and explore new interest in a virtual world. I think that second life have replaced the basic chat rooms and may soon replace various video games and other simulations that are similar to Second Life. I still consider Second Life as an emerging technology, however technology is constantly changing and improving therefore I would say maybe seven or eight years before a disruptive technology takes its place.
“Second Life was designed as a social networking platform- to encourage social interaction” (Second Life, 2009). Therefore, Second Life encourages social interaction by providing an engaging learning environment, the ability to collaborate with other organizations and rich in world learning experiences. Regarding elementary education Second Life has the ability to engage all types of learners and encourages participation.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). Disruptive Technologies”. Emerging and future technologies, Baltimore: Author Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=4246563&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1.
Second Life (2009). Second Life. Retrieved from http://education.secondlife.com/whysl/advantages/
Resource
http://secondlife.com/
Rosedale, P. (2008). Second Life [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Rhymes of History
Responded to 
http://everythingeducational.blogspot.com/
and http://edutechtalks.wordpress.com/
http://everythingeducational.blogspot.com/and http://edutechtalks.wordpress.com/
Rhymes of History Technology
Dr. Thornburg describes the force rhymes of history as, “The affect or impact of a new development rekindling something from the distant past” (Thornburg, 2009). A technology that represents a rhyme of history is blogging or blogs. Wikipedia describes blogs as, “a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video” (Wikipedia, 2010). Blogging or blogs rekindles storytelling and journaling from the past, which have the affect of creating and sharing information and memories from the past of family culture, events and beliefs. Recordings in journals can be traced back to 56 AD China, while in the Western world, journaling became a common practice during the Renaissance when the image of the self became important (Osborn, 2010). The idea of journaling is to share by recording observations, events and memories and reflecting on those events and topics. It is also a form of storytelling by sharing expressing events using words and images through elaboration orally and written. The idea of journaling and storytelling enables people to reflect and share their thoughts and feelings on struggles and events during a certain period of time which can be used to allow future generations to see what occurred in the past and also insight on numerous topics from various perspectives. Instead of events, reflections and memories being passed down and shared by word of mouth, through cave writings or small notebooks it is now done through a website known as blogging.
References
Osborn, A. (2010). History of journaling. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?History-of-Journaling&id=321401
Thornburg. D. (2009). Rhymes of History. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn
Wikipedia (2010). Blog. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog
Information on blogs
http://www.marketingterms.com/dictionary/blog/
Creating a Blog
https://www.blogger.com/start
Dr. Thornburg describes the force rhymes of history as, “The affect or impact of a new development rekindling something from the distant past” (Thornburg, 2009). A technology that represents a rhyme of history is blogging or blogs. Wikipedia describes blogs as, “a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video” (Wikipedia, 2010). Blogging or blogs rekindles storytelling and journaling from the past, which have the affect of creating and sharing information and memories from the past of family culture, events and beliefs. Recordings in journals can be traced back to 56 AD China, while in the Western world, journaling became a common practice during the Renaissance when the image of the self became important (Osborn, 2010). The idea of journaling is to share by recording observations, events and memories and reflecting on those events and topics. It is also a form of storytelling by sharing expressing events using words and images through elaboration orally and written. The idea of journaling and storytelling enables people to reflect and share their thoughts and feelings on struggles and events during a certain period of time which can be used to allow future generations to see what occurred in the past and also insight on numerous topics from various perspectives. Instead of events, reflections and memories being passed down and shared by word of mouth, through cave writings or small notebooks it is now done through a website known as blogging.
References
Osborn, A. (2010). History of journaling. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?History-of-Journaling&id=321401
Thornburg. D. (2009). Rhymes of History. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn
Wikipedia (2010). Blog. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog
Information on blogs
http://www.marketingterms.com/dictionary/blog/
Creating a Blog
https://www.blogger.com/start
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Emerging Technologies Tetrad
Responded to 
http://janedewitt.blogspot.com/
http://everythingeducational.blogspot.com/
http://edutechtalks.wordpress.com/
Emerging Technologies Tetrad
An emerging technology that has been quick on the rise is e-books, which is an electronic or digital book. This emerging technology’s ability to provide access to information and portability makes it an effective resource in the classroom and away from the classroom. Considering McLuhan’s four laws of media regarding e-books, e-books are able to provide alternative formats and support to reach all types of learners, , expand the classroom and school library which all enhances the students ability to be successful at reading. E-books obsolete the traditional classroom and library. With the easy distribution of e-books due to their ability to be used immediately after purchasing and downloading and there availability students will have greater access to books in the classroom and outside the classroom, which means that they will have a greater opportunity to read various genres and enhance their reading strategies and comprehension. It has been proven that the greater access that students have to books the greater achievement they have with reading achievements, which e-books provide (Cavanaugh, 2006).
E-books rekindle storytelling and clay tablets of the past by providing parents, teacher and students with opportunities to discuss and share stories with one another. They also retrieve the enjoyment and pleasure of parents and students reading books together due to, ease of use, portability and availability of e-books. In the future the use of flexible screens and advances in technology will continue to occur to change the format and file types that can be used by e-book, such as the Nook by Barnes and Nobles.
Nook- http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/the-future-of-ebooks-flexible-screens-and-beyond/
References
Cavanaugh, T. (2006). The digital reader, using e-books in k-12 education. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/source/orders/excerpts/ebooks.pdf
Thornburg, D. D. (2008b). Emerging technologies and McLuhan's Laws of Media. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.
http://janedewitt.blogspot.com/ http://everythingeducational.blogspot.com/
http://edutechtalks.wordpress.com/
Emerging Technologies Tetrad
An emerging technology that has been quick on the rise is e-books, which is an electronic or digital book. This emerging technology’s ability to provide access to information and portability makes it an effective resource in the classroom and away from the classroom. Considering McLuhan’s four laws of media regarding e-books, e-books are able to provide alternative formats and support to reach all types of learners, , expand the classroom and school library which all enhances the students ability to be successful at reading. E-books obsolete the traditional classroom and library. With the easy distribution of e-books due to their ability to be used immediately after purchasing and downloading and there availability students will have greater access to books in the classroom and outside the classroom, which means that they will have a greater opportunity to read various genres and enhance their reading strategies and comprehension. It has been proven that the greater access that students have to books the greater achievement they have with reading achievements, which e-books provide (Cavanaugh, 2006).
E-books rekindle storytelling and clay tablets of the past by providing parents, teacher and students with opportunities to discuss and share stories with one another. They also retrieve the enjoyment and pleasure of parents and students reading books together due to, ease of use, portability and availability of e-books. In the future the use of flexible screens and advances in technology will continue to occur to change the format and file types that can be used by e-book, such as the Nook by Barnes and Nobles.
Nook- http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/the-future-of-ebooks-flexible-screens-and-beyond/
References
Cavanaugh, T. (2006). The digital reader, using e-books in k-12 education. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/source/orders/excerpts/ebooks.pdf
Thornburg, D. D. (2008b). Emerging technologies and McLuhan's Laws of Media. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
An Emerged Technology
Dry Erase Broad to Interwrite Board
The Interwrite Board is a durable, easy to use interactive whiteboard that is used with Interwrite software. There are several highlights of utilizing the Interwrite board in the classroom, such as Bluetooth or RF wireless options, durable and it comes in many sizes. The software package includes thousands of resources and images to creative interactive lessons, which can be printed, email or save information to other teachers or students who are away from the classroom (eInstruction, 2010). The board also includes two rechargeable pens that can be used like a mouse.
While wirelessly connected to a projector and your computer the Interwrite Board and software enables educators to change a typical lesson into an interactive one. Just like with any technology there may be complications such as having to shut down and restart system when it freezes, configuring calibrations, Bluetooth connection problems and the pens not working. The benefits of utilizing the Interwrite board in your classroom inspiring your students by turning lessons into interactive experiences and engaging all types of learners. It is an educator’s responsibility to ensure that students are learning and by creating interactive lessons you are more likely to reach a diverse group of learners. Another benefit is that lessons can be emailed to students that are away from the classroom and printed for substitute teachers. What would make this technology better is if you could use multiple pens on the board at the same time. Only one person can write on the board at a time, if two people try to write on the board at the same times the lines intersect one another.
The following are links to information about Interwrite Boards:
http://www.einstruction.com/products/interactive_teaching/board/index.html
http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=80415
Dry Erase Broad to Interwrite Board
The Interwrite Board is a durable, easy to use interactive whiteboard that is used with Interwrite software. There are several highlights of utilizing the Interwrite board in the classroom, such as Bluetooth or RF wireless options, durable and it comes in many sizes. The software package includes thousands of resources and images to creative interactive lessons, which can be printed, email or save information to other teachers or students who are away from the classroom (eInstruction, 2010). The board also includes two rechargeable pens that can be used like a mouse.
While wirelessly connected to a projector and your computer the Interwrite Board and software enables educators to change a typical lesson into an interactive one. Just like with any technology there may be complications such as having to shut down and restart system when it freezes, configuring calibrations, Bluetooth connection problems and the pens not working. The benefits of utilizing the Interwrite board in your classroom inspiring your students by turning lessons into interactive experiences and engaging all types of learners. It is an educator’s responsibility to ensure that students are learning and by creating interactive lessons you are more likely to reach a diverse group of learners. Another benefit is that lessons can be emailed to students that are away from the classroom and printed for substitute teachers. What would make this technology better is if you could use multiple pens on the board at the same time. Only one person can write on the board at a time, if two people try to write on the board at the same times the lines intersect one another.
The following are links to information about Interwrite Boards:
http://www.einstruction.com/products/interactive_teaching/board/index.html
http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=80415
Reference
eInstruction. (2010) Interwrite board. Retrieved from http://www.einstruction.com/products/interactive_teaching/board/index.html
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