Module 4: The Disruptive Power of Second Life

Dr. Thornburg (2011) explained disruptive technologies as completely new tools that change how things are done, and are not gradual extensions of older technologies. Second Life is a disruptive technology because it has the strength and ability to obsolete many different technologies and institutions. Some of the technologies that Second Life could obsolete are websites as we know now and current abilities of social networking sites. The virtual world of Second Life is replacing real world situations allowing people to virtually tour places and information. Is a new way of communicating that let people perform activities that came from the real life. Second life replaces traditional social networking sites because provides a physical meeting space that gives reality in the communication, presenting gestures, modes and new words forms that let the intercultural collaboration be the most important act.  As discussed by Rosedale (2008) the social benefits of Second Life was its immense diversity, and the ongoing communication and collaboration among people from many different countries and cultures, speaking many different languages.

I don’t think that Second Life should replace all face-to-face but could be that eventually replaces the physical teaching environment and creates things and experience that would be impossible in the physical world where the students need practice. I think that in years to come, Second Life will replace the traditional educational practice of teaching and learning environment.

I really can imagine how many years Second Life has before it is replaced by another disruptive technology, but as Rosedale expressed (2008) its influence will continue to increase, and that fear of this technology is futile because its increasing ubiquity is inevitable. 

Resources:
Highfield, R. (2007, June 19). Virtual worlds could replace real relationships. From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1554999/Virtual-worlds-could-replace-real-elationships.html         

                         
Rosedale, P. (2008). Second Life [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html.

Thornburg, D. (2011). Disruptive Technologies Vodcast: In Laureate Education, Inc. Emerging and Future technology.