Second Life is a disruptive technology because it replaces the physical teaching environment with a virtual teaching environment. As Thornburg (2009) describes, disruptive technologies are wild card technologies that seemingly come out of nowhere to make obsolete an existing technology. Second life fits this description because it is a virtual world where things we imagine in the real world and things we cannot imagine will be made possible (Nuthall, 2008).
What technology or innovation did it displace?
Second Life displaces video games such as Sims, while also displacing current methods of video conferencing, travel, and classrooms. While Second Life hasn’t completely displaced any of these innovations quite yet, the more it grows and develops the closer it will be to completely displacing them. Second Life also replaces social networking sites. While in Second Life, avatars can meet “physically” and interact with one another. As stated above, eventually SL could displace traditional classrooms, because teachers will be able to meet, interact, and teach students virtually. I really hope this happens and I can be an instructor because teaching from home would be wonderful!
How many years do you think Second Life has left before another emerging technology or disruptive technology replaces it?
In my opinion Second Life still has at least 10 years or so before another emerging technology replaces it. Second Life is not widely used enough yet, therefore, I feel like there is still time for it to grow, mature, and develop into a better technology tool.
What are the social benefits of Second Life, and what might be the social implications of virtual worlds in your industry?
There will be many social benefits of Second Life in the elementary education field. Teachers would be able to teach classes without leaving the comfort of their home, while providing interactive lessons for their students. They would also be able to interact virtually with their students. I think this would allow teachers a lot more time to communicate openly with students. Teachers would also be able to share videos, lesson plans, etc. extremely easily.
References:
Rosedale, P. (2008). Second Life [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html.
Thornburg, D. (2009). Evolutionary technology Vodcast: In Laureate Education, Inc. Emerging and future technology.
Lauren, Great post. I agree with you that it may take up to 10 years for 2nd Life to be replace. Everyone is not using the virtual world site but once more use it, their will be an emerging technology that may enhance it. Using this to teach from the comfort of my home will be great.
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