The Disruptive Power of Second Life

I. How is Second Life a disruptive technology?

 “Disruptive technologies are those which may surface without warning and change the way things are done, but, they may have the same functionalities of an old technology while functioning more efficiently”, (Thornburg, Laureate 2009). Second Life technology may be considered to be a disruptive technology due to the fact that it surfaced quickly in the industry and seeks to apply technology that is used to create virtual worlds that may replace more traditional computer games, decrease F2F learning environments and potential distance learning opportunities.

II. What technology or innovation did it replace?

This technology innovation sought to enhance video gaming with the intent of affording a higher level of involvement in the learning process using 3D technology. Second Life is used for a variety of purposes. An example includes universities that seek to present a virtual experience of their college and affords the potential to replace the need for field trips and enables users to virtually visit educational settings and environments. Individual learning styles may be enhanced via resources towards role playing and collaborative projects.

III. How many years do you think Second Life has left before another emerging or disruptive technology replaces it?

Companies such as Linden Lab engaged in a joint effort with IBM (2008) to create an open virtual world grid permitting an operator’s avatar to travel freely between Second Life and software such as OpenSim. (Livingstone, n.d.) noted that “Holographic imaging is another technology which could replace Second Life allowing users to travel to virtual locations and affords a greater ability to create backups of work and share assets via XML-based archived formats”.

IV. What are the social benefits of Second Life, and what might the social implications of virtual worlds in your industry be?

Social benefits of Second Life or other virtual worlds are key to providing learners access to various resources, learning aids, instructional methodologies and concepts that may not otherwise be available. Creativity is greatly enhanced while managing and controlling learning environments towards a richer learning environment. Virtual worlds such as flight simulation may be enhanced and more adeptly developed towards higher fidelity scenario-based training opportunities. However, it may be more appropriate and a more efficient use of corporate finances to employ virtual world technology for course curriculum development and recurrent training resources.

References and Links

Hologram on CNN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7fQ_EsMJMs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRck4hpWRKs&feature=related

Livingstone, D. (2011). Second Life is dead, long live Second Life? Retrieved from

http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Review/EDUCAUSEReviewMagazineVolume46/SecondLifeIsDeadLongLiveSecond/226180

PBS. (2009). What is Second Life? Retrieve from

http://www.modohisland.com/thwakk/pbs/what-is-second-life.html

Thornburg, D. (2009). Evolutionary technology Vodcast: In Laureate Education, Inc. Emerging and future technology

Virtual World Watch. (2011). Jim Scullion's contribution to snapshot #10. Retrieved from http://virtualworldwatch.net/snapshots/

Tag:  Second Life Harvard

Rhymes of History Technology

Wednesday July 11, 2012

Rhymes of History Technology

Key words: airspace, aircraft, ATC, airports

Air Traffic Control 

Dr. Thornburg (Laureate, 2009) described a rhyme in history as an affect or effort of a new development that rekindles something from the past. One specific technology that comes to mind for me when thinking about the rhyme of history is the United States aviation air traffic control system. This aircraft airspace system has evolved from archaic methods to a high-tech system towards safer air travel and communication of both airport ground and airways operations. The early en route controllers tracked the position of planes using maps and blackboards and little boat-shaped weights that came to be called “shrimp boats.” They had no direct radio link with aircraft but used telephones to stay in touch with airline dispatchers, airway radio operators, and airport traffic controllers. These individuals fed information to the en route controllers and also relayed their instructions to pilots. Today, a similar system of tracking ground and air operations is used aboard US Navy aircraft carriers where items placed upon a ship’s “mock” runway include nuts, bolts, stick pins, dice and other tokens used to represent the aircraft's status or readiness for flight. 

Komons, (1980) noted that, “in the earliest days of aviation, so few aircraft were in the skies that there was little need for ground-based control of aircraft”. After several mishaps including mid-air collisions, standard rules were required to amend this potential issue of airspace control. The International Commission for Air Navigation (ICAN) was created in 1919 to develop “General Rules for Air Traffic.” The U.S. adopted and passed the Air Commerce Act of 1926 while developing its own set of air traffic rules.

 Air Traffic Control (ATC) has rhymes of history linked to early days of fire torches and hand held lights utilizing airport employees standing on tall structures during night and inclement weather conditions. The first rules were brief and basic. Pilots were told not to begin their takeoff until “there is no risk of collision with landing aircraft and until preceding aircraft are clear of the field”, (Komons, 1980).  

With the increase of air traffic and ground operations, these general rules did not meet the needs of safe aircraft and airport operations to prevent accidents. Gilbert (1973) cited in, ATC: The Uncrowded Sky, “As more aircraft were fitted for radio communication, radio-equipped airport traffic control towers began to replace the flagmen. In 1930, the first radio-equipped control tower in the United States began operating at the Cleveland Municipal Airport. By 1932, almost all airline aircraft were being equipped for radio-telephone communication, and about 20 radio control towers were operating by 1935.

Links:

“Building A Safer and More Effective Air Traffic Control System.” National Transportation Library, Department of Transportation. http://www.rppi.org/ps126.pdf

References:

Gilbert, Glen A. Air Traffic Control: The Uncrowded Sky. Washington, D.C.:    Smithsonian Institution Press, 1973.

Komons, Nick A. Bonfires to Beacons: Federal Civil Aviation Policy Under the Air       Commerce Act, 1926-1938. Washington, DOT/FAA, 1980.

Laureate Education, Inc. (2009) Rhymes of history. Baltimore, MD: Author.