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.