Second Life: New Life?

Second Life is indeed a technology that is used to digitally allow people to imagine, create and experience what they want. It is also a tool used for social networking and collaboration in the eyes of numerous individuals that use it solely for this purpose. Second Life was developed in 2003 by Linden Lab and it appears to be the biggest online community to hit the internet. Of course questions have been raised on whether this 3-D technology will displace other technologies and be considered at “disruptive technology”. There is not a ton of research on this topic; therefore I have the knowledge gained from articles and videos on disruptive technology and Second Life to form my own conclusion and answers to the questions above.

“Second Life is a disruptive technology on the level of the personal computer and the Internet” (Nuthall, 2008). I am not too sure if I agree with SL being a disruptive technology on the level of the personal computer, but I do believe that it could be a disruptive technology on the level of the Internet. Second Life is a virtual world, it is a revolution that will prove as that of the Internet. It has changed how some educational institutions operate, how business do business over the Internet, and it does have the same functions as the Internet. The internet is used for the same reasons that the Second Life is used for, the only difference is that is that it is virtual. I have not tried Second Life myself, therefore I cannot conclude whether it operates more effectively than the Internet; however I am certain that it will take a while, if not decades before it makes the Internet obsolete, but anything is possible with several new innovations.

As stated above, it will indeed take several years if not decades before Smart Life takes over the world, therefore it is hard to predict how long Second Life has before it is replaced. In my opinion, it has not replaced too much of anything just yet looking at the lack of research that has been done it and several people that do not have a clue of what it is, or have a clue but fear and avoid using it. It has and will continue to encounter resistance. You have 230,000 users that sign up weekly to Second Life; these are the people that thrive on this new technology; however you have many people that will resist it simply because it is a new technology, virtual, 3-D technology.

From my readings, there are several social benefits of Second Life. It offers space where students can have the experience of being in a group and a community, even if they are not physically present (Nuthall, 2008). SL has shown people what it means to “live” and “interact” and it gives them unlimited freedom to create, have fun, and do business. In my industry, the educational setting, many educators on the K-12 level have not yet jumped on this 3-D bandwagon, however college institutions have and they have had positive feedback on using it in their industry,

References
Nuthall, K. (2008). US: A Disruptive Technology Arrives. University World News .

Other Useful Sources
Second Life: Do You Need One?
http://thejournal.com/Articles/2007/06/28/Second-Life-Do-You-Need-One-Part-1.aspx?Page=2

Second Life and Education
http://paws.wcu.edu/jlebaron/LMSTF/Gollub-2nd.Life.pdf

Module 5

I responded to Sgudjonis and Kiana Thompson

Module 5

“New technologies offer wonderful promises for a better, brighter tomorrow” (Sapp). This statement holds true in every aspect of the learning process. Worldwide technologies are meant to be used to enhance the learning process and should be used inside of the classroom when appropriate; however, some educators and students are resistance to using them. As a computer teacher [Business Education], I am always incorporating some new technological advancement inside of my classroom. However, my students do you always utilize the technologies to their fullest potential. For example, there is a free software available that will create outlines for the students. The website is www.mywebspiration.com. Once they create the outline, the software automatically turns it into a diagram that I suggested that they study from. It is so much savvier than studying from the book or an outline. The kids HATE it! The do not utilize it correctly, they would rather write out the outline than type it. It is hard for me to understand simply because they are in a computer lab, who wants to write until their hand is sore, and it is a GREAT study tool once printed off. The students demonstrated behaviors such as frustration and unmotivated.

Using ARCS model, I think that I could change the motivation of my students to encourage success by changing the material that they outline. Every now and then I can have them outline their lives, or create a diagram of their favorite novel, hero, or actor/actress. This will allow them to get more comfortable with the software. I could also change my behavior as a teacher and no assume that because it is a computer class everyone will know how to use every software. A majority of the students are probably less motivated to complete the outlines and diagrams because they simply do not know how to use it. Using one of the categories of the ARCS model, relevance, I can demonstrate to the students the relevance of using a student friendly outline creator. When they have to outline a research paper for English, or outline the events leading up to the Civil War for History could be my examples to them to show them that it is relevant to others core classes.


Reference
Sapp, S. G. (n.d.). Diffusion of Innovations: Part 2. Retrieved December 26, 2009, from The Sociology of Technology: http://www.soc.iastate.edu/sapp/soc415Diffusion2.html

http://www.arcsmodel.com/Mot%20dsgn%20A%20prcss.htm

Module 4

I responded to Shane F. and Amanda Dickerson

Module 4 ~ Mind Map

Networking has changed the way I have learned in a substantial amount of ways. In a networked world, the very manner of information that we acquire is worth exploring. Being enrolled in Walden's Educational Technology has aided me in exploring the benefits and advantages of using networking in the educational setting. I have learned that we as individuals can contribute our opinions and views to extend the depth or the diversity of our understanding. Individual opinions helped me to understand how education and technology is in other states, other classrooms, facilitated by other teachers, and I have indeed learned from that. The digital tools that best facilitate learning for me are the numerous technological innovations associated with Web 2.0. There are a susbtantial amount to name, but I find wikis, blogs etc very useful in make learning activities move into a digital age. I learn new knowledge when I have questions by making a nd forming connections between specialized communities within a network.

Module 3 Response

I responded to Shane F. and Amanda Dickerson on 7/16

Module 3-Humans and Collaboration

Is the saying,"two brains are better than one" believable to humans? Do we get more work done together or alone? Does it depend on the person's personality, introvert or extrovert? It is my assumption that two brains are better than one and that humans do have the basic instinct to work together whether they are productive or not, however it's complicated because it does depend on the person's personality. With this being said, depending on the environment that you have become accustomed to, you may only be comfortable working alone and do not instinctively gravitate to others and work in a group. I believe that Rheingold said it best,"we must learn that using collective action and working with a group is the best way to create a better society"(2005). It is safe to say that no matter a humans instinct to interact and work as a group or work alone, working together does create a better society. The human instinct for people to work an interact as a group helped Haiti during the devastating earthquake. The human instinct for people to work an interact as a group has saved a lot of people's lives in emergency rooms across the world. I think that the human instinct to work as a group is natural for society when help is needed. According to Rheingold,there are certain reasons why someone would help share with others that generally involve some reward or benefit for the individual"(2005).

The constructivist perspective supports that learning occurs through interaction with others. Learners work together as peers, applying combined knowledge to the solution to solve problems. Technological innovations such as blogs, wikis, and other social networking advances help facilitate collaboration among learners and allow them to work together as peers. The evolving world of the Internet communication--blogs, podcasts, and websites offer learners news way to research, create and learn in groups. The value of social networks should not be underestimated because it is becoming a reflection of the world we live in today.

Rheingold, H. (2005). Way-New Collaboration. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html

Module 1 Response 6/19

I responded to Ashley Bridges and Amy Cravey

Module 2 response on 7/2

Eric Harris and Ashley Bridges on 7/2

Module 2-Blog Topic

Best of Both Worlds

Before reading the two blog post from Bill Kerr and Karl Kapp I was certain that the blogs would be different and argumentative, however they were similiar in so many ways that I agreed with. Cognitivism and behavorism are indeed two theories that has its strengths in the education and learning process and they both have something useful to offer. And, accoriding the Kerr, it seems that each _ism is offering something useful without any of them being complete or stand alone in their own right. Now, it is safe to say that that certain _isms add more ideas and insights of how information processing occurs within the human brain. All of the _isms are necessary and I could not agree with Kerr more. I strongly believe that they all have something to offer once a piece from each _ism is applied effectively. If the _isms are not applied correctly, there is indeed an issue with that theory and this is why most people like to state which one is better than the other. Not simply because of the theory itself, but because they have not studied how to use it correctly to recieve the desired results.

Blogs
http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html

Module 1 Blog Topic

Individuals perceive and process information in very different ways. It is my belief that people have a learning preference which aids them in learning. According to Dunn and Dunn and their development of the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Model, there are four groups of variables related to a learner’s preference; environmental emotional, sociological, physiological and psychological (Morrison & Lowther, 2005). Some individuals have a preference in the type of environment that helps them learn and process information. Individuals also have a preference in whether they are going to be emotionally connected to learning and be motivated or unmotivated. I do not consider the physiological variable is a preference for learning best, but a way of learning that people develop during the early stages of the learning process. Some learners become visual learners over time, (learning by seeing), some learners become auditory learners, (learning by listening), and some learners become kinesthetic learners, (learning by doing).

Learning theory plays a significant role in educational technology. Knowing and understanding our learning styles can help us learn more effectively including learning and using technological innovations. In relation to a learners preference in whether they are going to be emotionally connected and be motivated to learn, educational technology can help spark the motivation to learn. When students use a computer to help solve a problem, their motivation and engagement can increase (Morrison & Lowther, 2005). The initial motivation may come because using a computer is something new or novel. Educational technology allows for information to be perceive, processes and organized which are three factors associated with the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Model.

References

Morrison, G. R., & Lowther, D. L. (2005). Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education Inc.

I was introduced to the Dunn and Dunn Learning Theory while enrolled in a Master's Degree course and I do not know how familiar my peers are with the theory. Below are links and more useful resources about the Dunn and Dunn Learning Theory.



http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/863/884633/Volume_medialib/dunn.pdf (*excellent)

http://www.ethica.dk/doc_uflash/The%20Dunn%20and%20Dunn%20Learning%20Style%20Model%20of%20Instruction.htm>

http://leading4learning.com/Book_Chapter_-_Teaching_Styles.pdf