Module 4~Second Life as a Disruptive Technology

Brigit McAroy

Dr. David Thornburg (Laureate, 2009) states that “New technology with the same functionality of an existing technology, but it functions more efficiently, and then obsoletes that technology.”   Linden’s Lab Second Life (SL) is a Multi User Virtual Environment (MUVE) and 3D world where everyone is a real person and the places you visit are built by people.   Second Life is a disruptive technology that has the capability to replace social networks.  Phillip Rosedale (2008) describes Second Life as “the place he wanted where you could build things and explore.  He views it as a place to explore, interact, and where you can be anything you want.”  This virtual 3D environment allows users to collaborate globally attend classes, seminars, share information, explore and create virtual words.  

Laural  McCullen and Lori Galli (http://sleec.edublogs.org/about/), a group of educators from my school district, initiated a journey through Second Life about five years ago.  They created a group called Second Life Educator of Escambia County (SLEEC) and started sharing the environment with colleagues and district curriculum specialist.  SLEEC is now part of the new virtual classes of Escambia County Schools.  One of my students will be attending virtual school in second grade next year. 

I believe that Second Life continue to emerge and grow.  The technology at hand can only become more advanced by keeping up with the demands of society. 

References:

http://secondlife.com/whatis/?lang=en-US

http://sleec.edublogs.org/about/

Elon University/Pew Internet Project. (n.d.). Imagining the Internet: A history and forecast: Forward 150 timeline. Retrieved April 22, 2013, from http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/predictions/forward150years.pdf

Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). Disruptive technologies. Baltimore, MD: Author.

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