Second Life is a disruptive technology because of the drastic change it has brought in the computing life style of computer users. People have moved into this virtual world called Second Life by the millions. They have left whatever they were using before and have become residents in this virtual world buying property and doing business so it can be considered a disruptive technology because of the drastic change it brought on users of technology.
Second Life has replaced the video conferencing technology as really does expose business people, students and teachers to an interaction that is more vivid and captivating than the ageing video conferencing.
Source:
Linden Lab (2009). Virtual World: Real Change
http://secondlifegrid.net/casestudies/IBM
The world has become very competitive and innovative and I guess Second Life may last for another five years before another disruptive technology replaces it in the same way it replaced those technology that were before it.
The social benefits can be many but Collaboration, sharing, reducing on cost and interacting are the ones that come to mind immediately.
One social implication is that people could get caught up in that virtual world and neglect to interface with real people in the real world in which we live. People are likely to socialize less.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology
We live in a world where more emphasis is placed on normal people than people who have some form of disabilities. There is a technology called Assistive technology that does help to make life much more comfortable for persons who are physically challenged. Assistive technology exist in several forms and more continue to evolve as time passes. The following are some of the assistive technology available on the market today.
Iriscom is a system that enables the total control of a computer through the movement of the eye. People who are not mobile and who have little or no use of their limbs than control the computer through their eye movement.
http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/information_technology/report-23600.html
Light signaler alerts monitor computer sounds and alert the computer user with light signals. This is useful when a computer user can not hear computer sounds or is not directly in front of the computer screen. As an example, a light can flash alerting the user when a new e-mail message has arrived or a computer command has completed
Braille embossers transfer computer generated text into embossed Braille output. Braille translation programs convert text scanned-in or generated via standard word processing programs into Braille, which can be printed on the embosser.
The talking calculator is one with voice output that speaks aloud what is on the screen of the calculator.
Text to speech is a powerful tool that allows learners the option of listening to text rather than reading it. Some text to speech software will simply read the text from the screen while others will allow you to convert the text to MP3 format which can then be used away from the computer.
When one considers and examines those few assistive tools listed above one has to agree that truly assistive tools are helping in the lives of people with disabilities. I still think it is an evolving technology and maybe we will see much more advanced ones in the years ahead. Unlike Dr Thornburg who speaks about embodiment, restructuring and co-dependence, I think co-dependence is the most visible component of assistive technologyhttp://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx
We live in a world where more emphasis is placed on normal people than people who have some form of disabilities. There is a technology called Assistive technology that does help to make life much more comfortable for persons who are physically challenged. Assistive technology exist in several forms and more continue to evolve as time passes. The following are some of the assistive technology available on the market today.
Iriscom is a system that enables the total control of a computer through the movement of the eye. People who are not mobile and who have little or no use of their limbs than control the computer through their eye movement.
http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/information_technology/report-23600.html
Light signaler alerts monitor computer sounds and alert the computer user with light signals. This is useful when a computer user can not hear computer sounds or is not directly in front of the computer screen. As an example, a light can flash alerting the user when a new e-mail message has arrived or a computer command has completed
Braille embossers transfer computer generated text into embossed Braille output. Braille translation programs convert text scanned-in or generated via standard word processing programs into Braille, which can be printed on the embosser.
The talking calculator is one with voice output that speaks aloud what is on the screen of the calculator.
Text to speech is a powerful tool that allows learners the option of listening to text rather than reading it. Some text to speech software will simply read the text from the screen while others will allow you to convert the text to MP3 format which can then be used away from the computer.
When one considers and examines those few assistive tools listed above one has to agree that truly assistive tools are helping in the lives of people with disabilities. I still think it is an evolving technology and maybe we will see much more advanced ones in the years ahead. Unlike Dr Thornburg who speaks about embodiment, restructuring and co-dependence, I think co-dependence is the most visible component of assistive technologyhttp://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Smart Objects
Smart Objects Tetrad
Enhances:
· Objects “knowing ” about themselves
· Objects can tell you their location and state
· Items can be traced to anywhere
Retrieves:
· Bar coding information
· ATM/Credit cards
· Metallic detectors/scanners
Reverses:
· Surveillance systems
· Manually stored records
· Existing shopping cards
Obsoletes:
· Tracking systems like GPS and SATNAV
· Less reliance on human investigators
· Items /people being lost
Explanation:
Smart objects have the ability to “tell” where they are and they can feed vital information to any location. We have not seen anything like before and this is certainly something that is new.
With smart objects being able to tell where they are and the state or condition they are in, traditional tracking systems have become obsolete. Libraries for example can track their books to any place on this earth.
Smart objects bring to mind the old military way of wiring someone’s vehicle to track their movements. The problem with that method was that the intelligence built into the devices were very limited in capability and they were restricted to geographic locations.
Smart objects are likely to proliferate into several other aspects of society and business and are likely to be the standard devices in the next few years
Source:
Horizon Report ( 2009). Retrived on October 1, from http://wp.nmc.org/horizon2009/chapters/smart-objects/
Enhances:
· Objects “knowing ” about themselves
· Objects can tell you their location and state
· Items can be traced to anywhere
Retrieves:
· Bar coding information
· ATM/Credit cards
· Metallic detectors/scanners
Reverses:
· Surveillance systems
· Manually stored records
· Existing shopping cards
Obsoletes:
· Tracking systems like GPS and SATNAV
· Less reliance on human investigators
· Items /people being lost
Explanation:
Smart objects have the ability to “tell” where they are and they can feed vital information to any location. We have not seen anything like before and this is certainly something that is new.
With smart objects being able to tell where they are and the state or condition they are in, traditional tracking systems have become obsolete. Libraries for example can track their books to any place on this earth.
Smart objects bring to mind the old military way of wiring someone’s vehicle to track their movements. The problem with that method was that the intelligence built into the devices were very limited in capability and they were restricted to geographic locations.
Smart objects are likely to proliferate into several other aspects of society and business and are likely to be the standard devices in the next few years
Source:
Horizon Report ( 2009). Retrived on October 1, from http://wp.nmc.org/horizon2009/chapters/smart-objects/
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Obsolete Technology
Obsolete technology is a critical thing to understand. People who do understand it would know how long to keep a piece of equipment and when to part with it and be able to avoid making costly mistakes. An obsolete piece of technology is one in which the useful life is gone and one that fails to interact well with similar modern equipment, is less efficient and is hardly upgradeable. It could be argued that a technology may be useful to one person while another considers it to be useless but there must be some international benchmark by which everything is measured and judged. For example, a firm in one country may decide to ship some old equipment to some poor community where the citizens consider the technology to be state-of-the-art. Isn’t that “new found” technology still obsolete? Yes, it is because when spare parts for that donated equipment are needed to maintain it they may not be available and that technology may not be as efficient as the more recent models.
In fact, new technology emerges to do a far better job so the earlier piece of equipment is no longer preferred. It means therefore that the speed at which more improved technology emerges determines the rate at which competing technologies become obsolete. We say that computers generally have a useful life of five years but when new and more efficient ones are made, we quickly dispose what we had as inadequate and purchase new ones. The five year life span becomes irrelevant. We must therefore measure the usefulness of technology using several units of measurements which must include: life span, availability of better models and equipment efficiency among other factors. This will help use to better understand at what point something becomes obsolete. I expect the life span of most technological pieces to shorten considerably.
In fact, new technology emerges to do a far better job so the earlier piece of equipment is no longer preferred. It means therefore that the speed at which more improved technology emerges determines the rate at which competing technologies become obsolete. We say that computers generally have a useful life of five years but when new and more efficient ones are made, we quickly dispose what we had as inadequate and purchase new ones. The five year life span becomes irrelevant. We must therefore measure the usefulness of technology using several units of measurements which must include: life span, availability of better models and equipment efficiency among other factors. This will help use to better understand at what point something becomes obsolete. I expect the life span of most technological pieces to shorten considerably.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Staff members are techno-resistant
We considered setting up an EMIS in the Ministry of Education and all schools throught out the country and we realized that many members of staff needed to be trained in computer literacy before they would be able to use the new system. To gain the staff's attention, we had the software vendor come over and demonstrated to the staff members how the EMIS works and everyone was given the opportunity to try the new system. Following the presentation, we had extensive discussions on the benefits of the EMIS and everyone agreed that the new system was very relevant to the new thrust in education.
We organized training for the varioius members and noticed that several leading officers were not attending the sessions. We investigated further and discovered that a number of them were uncomfortable sitting in classroom with the younger staff who "knew" more than them. We needed them to come on board so we had one-to-one training in their own offices, for those officers. It took us longer to start using the EMIS but when we did start, everyone was on board.
We organized training for the varioius members and noticed that several leading officers were not attending the sessions. We investigated further and discovered that a number of them were uncomfortable sitting in classroom with the younger staff who "knew" more than them. We needed them to come on board so we had one-to-one training in their own offices, for those officers. It took us longer to start using the EMIS but when we did start, everyone was on board.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
People were made to interact
We were made to interact.
From a spiritual stand point, we were made to interact. Christians will say to you that God saw how important it was for man to interact not just with animals and plants but with his equals- hence the reason for Eve and procreation.
Why do most people find it very difficult to sit by someone for a long period and don't say something to that person. Those who accomplish it, do so with great discomfort. Why people end up online chatting with hundreds of people they dont have a clue about? No man is an island. We some times need direction, affection, medical attention, companion. Interaction brings us closer together and helps us support each other while at the same time accomplishing a lot. Scheinkman(2004) says that social interaction is useful for resolving issues and achieving goals.
If one tries to imagine a world where there is little or no interaction between the people, one will discover a world that is truly unbalance and boring. Iacoboni et al (2003) believes that interaction builds this community spirit in people and it helps people identify the line of authority in a system.
From a spiritual stand point, we were made to interact. Christians will say to you that God saw how important it was for man to interact not just with animals and plants but with his equals- hence the reason for Eve and procreation.
Why do most people find it very difficult to sit by someone for a long period and don't say something to that person. Those who accomplish it, do so with great discomfort. Why people end up online chatting with hundreds of people they dont have a clue about? No man is an island. We some times need direction, affection, medical attention, companion. Interaction brings us closer together and helps us support each other while at the same time accomplishing a lot. Scheinkman(2004) says that social interaction is useful for resolving issues and achieving goals.
If one tries to imagine a world where there is little or no interaction between the people, one will discover a world that is truly unbalance and boring. Iacoboni et al (2003) believes that interaction builds this community spirit in people and it helps people identify the line of authority in a system.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Connectivism
I am not sure that the network has changed the way I learn. What has happened is that it has revolutionized the way I access information. The network has shown that my resource base has also expanded as I am connected to many more people and institutions, many of which are in the virtual world. The way my work is being assessed has changed in some respects since my participation in discussions, blogs and other online activities are graded and a mark awarded to me. This new network has put me in contact with many scholars and professionals whose input gives credibility to my work. The network also shows that my access to information is not hindered by geograhic location nor time zone. I have a good contingency system in place in terms of my ICT support system and my financial connection is also good.
The Ipod is my favorite digital tool. It works for me as a mobile secretary since it always keeps me in touch with my courses and learning community. The beauty of the Ipod is that I am not limited to space and time. I am in touch with the university anywhere and all the time. Another advantage of the ipod is that it not cumbersome and it is very light. When I need to relax I can play music on it and if I need to revise I can also listen to my lectures on it. Great tool!
I gain knowledge mainly by posting my questions on discussion for a, blogs, to my colleagues in the learning community, my instructors and the printed pages.
The Ipod is my favorite digital tool. It works for me as a mobile secretary since it always keeps me in touch with my courses and learning community. The beauty of the Ipod is that I am not limited to space and time. I am in touch with the university anywhere and all the time. Another advantage of the ipod is that it not cumbersome and it is very light. When I need to relax I can play music on it and if I need to revise I can also listen to my lectures on it. Great tool!
I gain knowledge mainly by posting my questions on discussion for a, blogs, to my colleagues in the learning community, my instructors and the printed pages.
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