Module 3 - Rymes of History Technology

   My example of a technology that represents a rhyme of history is the tablet. Some examples of tablets are the Apple iPad, the Microsoft HP Slate, the Dell Streak, and others. Tablets have the capability of replacing all materials that are needed by each student, during a school day. When schools first began, students used materials such as small portable chalkboards, pens, ink, and books. These materials continue to be the main types of materials that are required in a classroom, however, this is beginning to change in some schools. The iPad can replace the need for a notebook, paper, pens, textbooks, lecture notes, library books, and it is easy to keep everything organized (Pauff, 2010).

Pauff, S. (2010). Computer tablets replace paper, books for Broostone freshmen. Retrieved from http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2010/10/07/1297243/computer-tablets-replace-paper.html


   I believe that Kelly's concepts of embodiment, restructuring, and codependency on the Web are examples of the rhymes of history by the way they continue to reorganize and go through the same process again, for all new technologies. There is always going to be something, a tangible object. Everything needs to be restructured at least in the beginning, in order to make something work the way it is supposed to work. Finally, if the two are not able to work together, there will be no need for the technology. The goal of technology is to make things easier or to come up with better, more efficient ways of doing things, routines, that we have been doing for many years and will continue to do for many more years.


Kelly, K. (2007). Kevin Kelly on the next 5,000 days of the web. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/kevin_kelly_on_the_next_5_000_days_of_the_web.html

Emerging Technologies Tetrad - Module 2

• Cellular Phone Tetrad

• Enhances - Allows mobile communication
• Obsoletes - Stationary telephones
• Retrieves - Cordless Walkie Talkie
• Reverses - Foldable/Flexible Phone

How this Tetrad answers the four questions.

1.    Enhancement – The cellular phone allows people to communicate from almost any place in the world (History).

2.    Obsolescence – The cellular phone obsoletes stationary telephones.

3.    Retrieval – The cellular phone brings back a type of mobile communication, that came from cordless Walkie Talkies.

4.    Reversal – The cellular phone is setting the stage for a foldable phone. This foldable phone would be flexible, which would allow for it to fold out several times. This would also allow for a bigger screen (Rice, 2010).

History of cell phones. Retrieved from www.historyofcellphones.net

Rice, A. (2010). Cell phones 2030. Retrieved from http://arikrice.wordpress.com/2010/02/27/cell-phones2030

Module 1

   One current technology that has emerged in the last few years, that has shaped learning in my industry is the SMART Board. Even though it came out in 1991, the majority of classrooms in the United States started getting them between 2005 and 2007 (SMART, 2010).  The school system I work in started purchasing them for a large amount of classrooms last year.
   The cost of purchasing a SMART Board is between $3,000 and $5,000 (SMART, 2010). Schools do not have the money to buy one for every classroom. There is also the problem of training to use a SMART Board. The majority of teachers who get a SMART Board in their classroom do not receive any more than 1 to 2 days of training.
   The SMART Board is used in businesses and schools. Presentations, conferences, meetings, and classroom lectures can be enhanced with the SMART Board.
   I think some companies and schools are avoiding the costs by losing the interactive quality that comes with the SMART Board. Using a computer and a projector allows the students in a school, or the audience of a presentaion to see anything the instructor or presentor wants them to see. There may still be some training needed, but most people know how to use a computer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U05WeXPGlk