DVDs versus VOD

In the TED Talk video ‘Chris Anderson of WIRED on tech’s Long Tail’ said, “The digital video disk (DVD) had its debut in the mid-1990s”. WiseGEEK, clear answers for common questions, said, “Video-on-demand (VOD) was originally introduced in Hong Kong in 1990. However, later on it made its debut in the United States.

DVD or Digital View In doing the science fiction assignment of module 4 based on a Philip K. Dick book, I was divided between the idea of watching a science fiction movie through the rental of a DVD or accessing a VOD website. I chose the latter to watch the movie ‘Minority Report’. However, my digital selection was through a free VOD movie website The current competition between DVDs and VOD is an example of increasing returns.

DVD vs. VOD (The Competition) Arthur (1996) said, “In the increasing returns world, especially in high tech, re-everything has become necessary because every time the quest changes, the company needs to change” (p.104). The way movies are being watched is constantly changing. With this change, comes the change in policies among technology entities. If high tech entities are not updating their policies, then their increasing returns would be decreasing, as in the case of ‘Marshall’s principles of diminishing returns among bulk-material manufacturing entities’ (Arthur, 1996, p. 103).

A real life example of this occurrence is my membership with Columbia House. I have been a member of this DVD movie vendor for a number of years. Within the last two years, my purchases have declined, due to the VOD entity Netflix. With this decline, the company (Columbia House) would be experiencing decreasing returns, as my funding is channeled away from them and towards another entity (Netflix) that is experiencing increasing returns. I now find it easier and more convenient to view movies digitally online than to have to wait for the delivery of a shipment of DVDs which may take up to three to five days for delivery. In addition, I can access free on-demand movies from the website mentioned above or any other free on-demand movie websites, if funding is not readily available to me.

McLuhan's Tetrad With respect to McLuhan’s tetrad, the tetrad of the DVD/VOD movie industry is as follows: Enhances: VOD, unlike DVD, allows everyone can have instant access to movies without time delay (Just-in-time). Obsolete: VOD makes DVD outdated. Reverses: VOD reverses instant access to movies on the Internet unlike DVDs that allow for delayed access through mailing. Retrieves: VOD recall DVD that started in the mid-1990s.

Reference Anderson, C. (2004). Chris Anderson of WIRED on tech’s long tail [video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/chris_anderson_of_wired_on_tech_s_long_tail.html WiseGeek (2012). What is video on demand? Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-video-on-demand.htm Arthur, W. B. (1996). Increasing returns and the new world of business. Harvard Business Review, 74(4), 100−109. Retrieved from the Business Source Complete database.

The Disruptive Power of Second Life

Technology and its tools have impacted the lives of people worldwide. Every so often, a form of technology emerged without direct planning. This technology is often referred to as disruptive in nature. Dr. David Thornburg, in the Laureate 2009 video, said, “New technologies are always susceptible to unanticipated ‘wild cards’ disruptive technologies”. He further reiterated that second life is a disruptive technology to real life. As a disruptive technology, second life functions the same way as the technology it is replacing, but with improved features. This improved features focused on three dimensions or 3D development. An example of Second Life is James Cameron’s 2009 movie, Avatar, which is shown in 3D. AVATAR TRAILER Second life, I believe, replaces virtual reality. Philip Rosedale, in the TED video, said, “Second Life virtual worlds are a lot like the Internet in the early 90s today: everybody is very excited”. He further said, “Just replace the words ‘Second Life’ with the ‘Web’, and ‘virtual reality’ with ‘Internet’. The Internet was in existence before the World Wide Web (WWW), but the two cannot be separated. Second Life is an improvement on virtual reality or virtual world. Like any other emerged technology, whether disruptive or not, Second Life will have its limited existence. It may not be replaced totally, but may be enhanced like it did the concept of virtual reality. With the constant improvement in technology, I think that Second Life may see a ‘wild card’ disrupting its existence maybe in the next 3 – 5 years. What name may be given to that improved virtual world technology is not sure, but it probably may be known as ‘Third Life’. Technology has its benefits, and Second Life is no exception. As a social 3D media, it assists in the improvement of social skills among its participants. As Eryn Grant, a PhD student in Queensland University of Technology’s School of Humanities, said, “Social Life, an online social interface, allows people to interact socially and economically in a 3D virtual space”. She further said, “It is like an extension of who we are as social beings, you go to work, see your family, and log on to either Second Life, Facebook, MySpace and it is just about reaching out even more – who does not want to feel connected after all?” In the field of education, the industry in which I work, Second Life also has its impact. Koffman and Clinger (2007) said, “In an educational context, Second Life has the potential to provide rich and engaging learning experiences for students to include discovery, investigation, and creation” (p. 351). At my workplace, this virtual world tool is not being used, but talks among the English Language Arts department are currently underway. Hopefully, this may result in an introduction to virtual technology, not just in that department, but throughout the school. Reference Avatar Movie Trailer HD 3D. YouTube. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTkw4Fdtsjo Coffman and Klinger (2007). Utilizing virtual worlds in education: The implications for practice. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 35. Retrieved from http://www.waset.org/journals/waset/v35/v35-64.pdf Rosedale, P. (2008). Philip Rosedale on Second Life [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html. Science Daily (2008). Science News: Second life improves real-life social skills. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080717210838.htm Thornburg, D. Disruptive Technologies. Laureate Education Inc. (2009).

Rhymes of History Technology

The anonymous saying, “The future will be like the past, only with cooler toys”, is indeed true of the way people communicate with each other. The mode of communication differs, but can be simultaneously similar. People communicate regularly through the ‘spoken word’, but there are times when words are not use for communication; music does. This music communication ranges from voice melody to musical accompaniment and to instrumentals. The instruments used to make music dates back to the year 4000 BC when harps and flutes were played in Egypt. Since then, thousands of years have elapsed before these instruments and others have been rekindled or retrieved by the modern technology of musical instruments that does not require the use of these instruments to play.

Musical Instruments (Obsolete)

As the 20th century ended, with the dawn of the 21st century, listening to music required the use of physical instruments played live or recorded. Each musical instrument has its unique sound, and no two instruments would sound alike, even if they look alike. For example, the guitar may be classified as a family member to the banjo, but they are two different instruments that radiate different sounds.

Guitar

Banjo

When musical instruments come together, they make melody; but each instrument has to be played by a distinct individual. Occasionally, one individual may play more than one instrument simultaneously, but this is rare.



Single Musical Instrument (Emerging Technology)

With the advent of modern technology, the need for several different musical instruments became unnecessary as the music became digital in nature. Digital music requires the use of software, so music technology software became part of the current music industry. A band with players of different musical instruments is no longer necessary, as the software with the sound of musical instrument rekindles or retrieves this band. Training to play a musical instrument is no longer necessary to learn music; one can be trained face-to-face or online, as is the case of Dubspot.



Conclusion

Finally, the history of modern music and technology has a place in the emergent of technology, as I end where I started with the anonymous quote that said, “The future will be like the past, only with cooler toys”.



Reference

Classicalworks.com (n. d.). Music History Timeline – Early Music. Retrieved from http://www.classicalworks.com/his.pages/early.his.htm

Dubspot: Ableton Certified Training Center. Retrieved from http://www.dubspot.com/

Electronic music http://howtomakeelectronicmusic.com/how-to-make-electronic-music-with-computer-where-to-start

History of Technology and Music. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYcWotMzBmE

The Future of Musical Instruments. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi9ZikB_BUA&feature=bf_prev&list=PL754924F63C40B76F&lf=results_video

WIEN - Vienna Historical Music Instruments Exhibition (TRY). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeN9P6-IbrI

The Tetrad of an Emerging Technology – The Telephone

Brief History and Development

The telephone that we use today dates back to the mid 19th century. The basic telephone was invented by an Italian, Antonio Meucci, in 1849 (Elon University/Pew Internet project, n. d., p. 7). However, the Elon University/Pew Internet project said, it was not until 1876 when Alexander Graham Bell was recognized for the first United States of America (USA) patent for the device, when it became popular in the USA. The telephone, since then, has been a technology device that has been recognized by all societies, worldwide. This emerged technology has gone through a series of progressions, thereby, making it an emerging technology device. This tetrad has grown as a chain of events as it progresses over the years.

Bell's first telephone



















The Telephone Tetrad

Tetrad of the Telephone

ENHANCES: The telephone, once a regular land line communication technology device, enhances the communication of people worldwide. People is closely connected with each other than they were without this form of communication. It reduces the time people travel between distant places, which results in savings of transportation cost. The increased mobility of communicators worldwide has given rise to the mobile telephone, with the emerging technology version of the smart phone. This mobile communication technology device, not only allows for telephone services, but acts as an instant messaging (texting) medium, and an Internet connection link that allows for communication through email and social networking sites like Facebook, and Skype. Other features include audio and video connections like radio, music and video download, camera connection for picture taking, and video recording. The access to many of these features is through free or paid applications that can be easily downloaded to the mobile device.

OBSOLETES: The telephone obsoleted the telegraph system. The communication between people no longer requires a third party medium as in the case of the telegraph system, where the sender had to go to the telegrapher who sends the message to the receiver. Direct communication is between two people only, unless a third party is invited in the case of three-way calling. It also obsoleted the music iPod, as users of the mobile device also use it to listen to their favorite songs while traveling.

RETRIEVES: The telephone rekindled interest in the telegraph system that it replaces through text messaging, but instantly. This is like communication between individuals who telegraph each other from different locations, especially long distance, which can include another country. It also retrieves, through the use of its mobile system, the iPod system of listening to music, but through download, and watching televised recordings, which was once only seen via television.

The smart phone


REVERSES: The telephone, through its emerging smart phone technology, sets the stage for the inclusion of other applications, most of which are currently been used without the input of this emerging technology device. Examples of some of theses future applications could include the use of the smart phone as a credit card, a mass transit fare card, a ticket to entertainment, and as personal identification (I.D. card).

Reference

Elon University/Pew Internet Project. (n. d.). Imagining the Internet: A history and forecast: Back 150 timeline. Retrieved from http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/predictions/back150years.pdf

Amanda. Mar. 7, 2012. Alexander Graham Bell and the First Telephone. Geni
Genealogy Research. Retrieved from http://www.geni.com/blog/alexander-graham-bell-and-the-first-telephone-373198.html

From computing to drawing

According to CalculatorsBest.Com, “A calculator is one of the most important devices used for doing mathematical calculations”. For a number of years, the mathematics classroom in the high school system (Grade 9 – 12) has been using the calculator to aid the students with advanced mathematics like trigonometry, but this calculator is scientific.

Calculatorsbest.Com further said, “These gadgets are available in two basic formats, one is the standard and other the scientific calculators”. The display window on most of the scientific calculators is only able to show one row of digits when calculations were done. This is a disadvantage to the learners because only some input data would have been shown, making it difficult to follow the mathematical method.

In recent times, these calculators were replaced with a ‘large screen’ calculator group called the graphing calculator. This replacement was necessary, as the use of the graphing calculator should have met the criteria for the state mathematics examination. As 21st century educator blogger, David Wees said, of the notice on the examination booklet, “A graphing calculator and a straight-edge (ruler) must be available for you to use while taking this exam.” The version of the graphing calculator that is best suited for the state examination is the TI-84 Silver edition, manufactured by Texas Instrument, as it shows full screen displays of the mathematics method used, including graphs, tables, and geometric figures.


Even though this emerging technology has emerged in many schools, its cost has not drastically reduced, and some schools have difficulty in purchasing it. The average cost of this emerged technology device ranges from $100 to approximately $140. To alleviate this, many schools apply for grants to offset this desired expense. In addition, mathematics educators, who have never used the technology, have to be trained in its use; and this can be costly, as well. However, training for new teacher recruits proved less expensive, as they would have been trained in the use of the technology while undergoing their studies in preparation for employment. Ye (2009), in a study, asked, “What are the advantages of using the graphing calculators in mathematics education programs in higher education institutions and in professional development?” (p. 136). In response to her question, the study said, “Since 2003, we have offered a course ‘modern technology of mathematics education’ for graduates in mathematics education, mainly on how to use graphing calculators to solve problems of mathematics teaching, which have achieved good results” (p. 142).

The graphing calculator is most beneficial to the students of mathematics, as it helps them to increase their understanding and the speed at which they solve the problems of the discipline. Understanding mathematics is an important part of mathematics education, as its language tends to be different from those of disciplines like the English Language Arts, social studies, and the sciences. Unlike these other disciplines which is mostly literacy, mathematics tends to concentrate mostly on numeracy. Thinking numerate can be very abstract to many students, and the graphing calculator can help to ease some of these though processes. Ye (2009) said of the graphing calculator, “It encourages diverse learning such as self-learning, cooperation, and exploration” (p. 144). Students like to explore the use of this technology in the classroom. It is worth mentioning that, in addition to mathematics concepts, this mathematics technology device also has a game program, which can be useful to students, especially during mathematics recreational periods.

As this technology tool is a necessity for mathematics programs at the secondary level, it would be even better if it is more affordable. Schools would have quick and easy access without the inclusion of a third party (grant donors). However, it is the hope that as the technology becomes fully emerged, the cost would fall drastically, allowing for affordability, but, until that time, many high schools will have to continue soliciting funds for this emerging or emerged technology, depending on the status of their usage.

Reference

CalculatorsBest.Com Retrieved from http://www.calculatorsbest.com/blog/

Wees, D. NY State Regents exam in Mathematics: Fair or not? 21st Century Educator. Retrieved from http://davidwees.com/content/ny-state-regents-exam-mathematics-fair-or-not

Ye, L. Integration of graphing calculator in mathematics teaching in China. Journal of Mathematics Education. Dec. 2009, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp 134-146. retrieved from http://educationforatoz.com/images/_9734_11_Lijun_Ye.pdf