Dr. Ellen Wagner presented her knowledge to class today. Opposed to Dr. Bonk last week, Dr. Wagner main concern is how we make the most out of what we have (Web 2.0 tools). Her way of taking on the class was less business-like and more of a instructional role by asking the class questions and concerns about the way we see and understand 1) web 2.0 and 2) present and future roles. Among the many subjects we discussed the following are the ones that grabbed my attention the most.
Web 2.0 Green Tech?
There was some discussion with the question about whether Web 2.0 was a green technology. In reality Web 2.0 was not meant or designed to be a green technology. For example, solar panels were designed as a green technology for energy conservation. They were and still are designed for that purpose. Whereas Web 2.0 is more of a continuous implementation of the ever changing online Internet experience. In fact this technology, the Internet, has created/contributed more waste, or e-waste.
Web 2.0 may reduce the number of prints-- reducing the number of trees needed to make paper, but it increases energy consumption and e-waste. Research by Harvard school shows that it takes as much energy to do a search in Google as it takes to boil a cup of water. Imagine how many times you do a search in one day, how many people? Google came out with a response on this subject. There are viable venues to combat such immense energy consumption and some seem very far in the future, but all we can hope is that at some point "Web x.0" becomes "eWeb."
Business to Education dilemma
One of the reasons I decided to get my Master in Instructional Technology was my desire to teach and to help: 1) kids/adults without the necessary tools (computer, Internet, phone, etc.) whether in poor cities in the US or anywhere in the world. 2) help people like who have that desire to improve and help reduce the gap between the have and the have nots. And this is where I come to the dilemma. How will my transition from the business/corporate world shape me as an instructor to the public sector? Dr. Wagner talked about her experience and how hard it is to push technology that could be use in education but fails to make money. Web 3.0 simulation? I don't see itDr. Warner asked the class what we thought about
Web 3.0 what will it look like?
Web 4.0? There were a interesting ideas, but I started thinking about how our society is all about "us", personality, what many may coin as "Narcissist". And we are, in general. I think Web 3.0 will be based on this modern social trait, we want to be different, customization. Thus, giving birth to cognitive search intelligence from a platform stance. We should be seeing a change in browsers and software and uniform cross-platforms compatibility.
Free Puppy vs Free Beer
This example was probably the best way to describe what I have always thought about all these "free" tools available to educators right now. My questions has always been when are they going to start charging people to use these tools? why are they free? and how much more improvement is there once fees start to roll in? Web tools like SlideShare, VoiceThread, etc ., are cool, but what exactly is their business direction? How will they survive and make sure they stay in business so that educator don't have to run from free services to free services?
Mar 6, 2009
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I have also been a bit skeptical on "free" tools as well. Sustainability does require incoming funds, whether its from advertisers or private sponsors. Usually an upgrading option is pushed on you for a small fee. Unexpected costs may arize too, like vulnerability to hackers and viruses entering your computer. It is also nice to know that there is some kind of customer service on the other end to help troubleshoot problems that may come up, and they need to be paid out somehow. This is why paying for tools is worth the investment
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