Second Life a virtual world where anything is possible created by Philip Rosedale changed the way people can communicate via the Internet. Second life allows people to do what they want to do but cannot do in the real world. It goes beyond the standard text to text of normal Internet searches and information is presented in images. Dr. Thornburg defines disruptive technology as a new technology that has the same features as an old technology, but more efficient. The new technology comes along and changes how we do things. With this definition we can look at Second Life changing the way that we chat globally. So many users are in this world at the same time from everywhere around the globe. It allows users to chat as someone else to leave their real world and enter the world of their avatar. Instead of have linear chat with just one person or having to wait your turn to chat in a chat room you can create different conversations with people simultaneously. Dr. Thornburg also refers to a disruptive technology as a wild card that changes the nature of the game instantly, but I am not so sure that Second Life is a true disruptive technology in this since. It has taken years to grow to this level and its creator suggests it has many years and much more potential for growth. It is unclear what technology it truly displaced because chat is still available and it is still being used. I believe that Second Life has about five more years to reach it's full potential because a lot of people haven't caught on to it, or they may just not have time. I would like to see what it is like but I have too many real world responsibilities to take on a virtual world. I am not sure that it will ever be displaced by another emerging technology because people like to live out their dreams via virtual worlds. I think the more advanced the program gets the more people will stick with it because its virtual possibilities are endless. As a foreign language teacher I think it would be a great teaching tool. Students are so scared to speak in front of the class but if they could use avatars in a virtual setting I believe they would become more comfortable with the language. The only problem is my students do not have the technology at home to create virtual worlds.
Resources:
Rosedale, P. (2008) Second Life (video). Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index/php/talks/theinspirationofsecondlife.html
Thornburg, D. (2009) Disruptive Technologies (vodcast). Laureate Education Inc.
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I agree that Second Life will grow as its capabilities grow. I also agree that something like would be wonderful as an alternative for my students who are a little introverted or who have learning disabilities. They would definitely be able to participate in a low-pressure environment.
ReplyDeleteFor those who have the time to devote to the creation of their own virtual world, it must be incredibly freeing to participate from behind the screen.
Rosedale had a vision that resulted in Second Life and he envisions it progressing even further. But there is someone out there (or will be someone out there) who has already thought beyond the virtual world of Second Life who just may displace it. We may not be able to see beyond his vision right now, but when it happens, we'll just say, Ah-hah!
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