Module 2 Assignment: McLuhan Tetrad of the Cloud

McLuhan’s Tetrad of the Cloud 

The cloud application is an emerging technology that has provided a mobile platform to allow users to expand their work beyond an office or school as well as providing access to personal content from many devices. It has reshaped the structure of productivity in a way that has impacted many lives on different levels.

In this blog, I will use the McLuhan’s tetradic approach in accessing the cloud application. McLuhan’s tetrad is a remarkable tool to assist one in developing a futuristic view that can anticipate emerging and future technologies. The nature of the tetrad is based on four quadrants that are not sequential but rather occurs simultaneously (Thornburg, 2013e). Aspects of the McLuhan tetrad are as follows:

•         What does the technology do that is new or enhance?

•         What will the technology make obsolete?

•         What does the technology retrieve or rekindle from the past?

•         What will reverse from technology or flip into?

David Thornburg eloquently states that McLuhan’s tetrad “forces you to think about artifacts in a new way, making you more aware of new technologies as they emerge” (Laureate, 2014f). This tetrad allows one to make informative decisions about technology. Using the tetrad is helpful in determining if a technology will help students learn more effectively as well budget wisely as you begin anticipating what technology could possibly replace it. In addition, it allows us to be more creative in the process of how to utilize technologies that will truly assist in facilitating learning.

Enhances:

The cloud application enhances the ability to access content at anytime from anywhere. Storing information in the cloud give you virtually an unlimited storage capacity where third party service provides backup and recovery solutions. Users are able to easily switch devices and easily access content without having to save it on a singular device in order to transfer information. In addition it promotes social collaboration among others through sharing features in real time. This is ideal for use in education...

Obsolescence:

With cloud access readily available, the flash and hard drive becomes obsolete due to the lack of need for external storage. Cloud applications, such as Google Drive, allow you to store information online through a third party source that provides various platforms and features and, in most cases, are free.  Also, it obsoletes expensive productivity software, such as Microsoft Office, because similar productivity applications are available in the cloud where users can create various documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and forms.

Retrieval:

The cloud application retrieves a library organizational system for data and content online as well human social interactions. Since the cloud allows for multiple users, it also brings back group and collaborative effort from a distance.

Reversal:

The cloud application provides many advantages and problem-solving solutions for companies and educational demands.  However, there are concerns in regards to the lack of privacy and security. Many cloud applications are run by a third-party provider so it increases privacy concerns.  

References:

Dimensional Studios. (Producer). (2014). Gorillaz & Madonna: Grammy awards [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.eyeliner3d.com/gorillaz_madonna_grammy_awards.html

Laureate Education (Producer). (2014f). David Thornburg: McLuhan’s Tetrad [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Thornburg, D. (2013e). Emerging technologies and McLuhan's laws of media. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.

Module 1 Assignment: Identifying Emerging Technology

Moving to the Cloud

Emerging technologies are imperative for the advancement of our society and critical for demands of 21^st century learning needs. In Dr. David Thornburg’s (2013b) paper, Current Trends in Educational Technology, he discusses the constant changing landscape of educational technology and explores various technologies that have transformed to help shape and reshape educational practices. One transformational technology, that would be a good addition to Dr. Thornburg’s list of current trends in educational technology, is the transitional process from hardware and software management infrastructures to internet-based computational infrastructures.

Cloud computing is an internet based computing model that creates a virtual environment for users through a shared network of servers. In recent years, cloud computing has helped reshape learning and system management in K-12 education.  The CDW Government (2013) released a study stating that 40% of schools are turning to the cloud for storage to house their data.  However, storage is not the only reason schools are starting to migrate. The study also found that 36% of school used the application for conferencing and collaboration and 33% uses it for office and productivity tools.

From Global Journal of Computer Science and Technology

Although cloud computing helps eliminate the need for computing hardware and software to manage educational system needs, it also helps shape productivity for student learning. I found the figure to the left in an article from the Global Journal of Computer Science and Technology (GJCST, 2012)  and thought that it was a good visual representation of how cloud computing is used in e-learning as a business model to structure learning management. Through the cloud, communication has become essential between teacher and students. It allows interchangeable sharing of documents and other digital activities for students.  However, some issues associated with the application are security, compliance, and possible outages with the main concern of protecting private student data. Pitfalls of cloud computing can be overcome with the appropriate level of planning and architectural effort (Bonfante, 2014). Some experts say that the problem is that many school districts have not set clear polices for storing data effectively (Davies, M.R., Cavanagh, S., 2014).

Cloud computing delivers on-demand computing resources over the internet.  It is much cheaper to run than to purchase software that has to be maintained and the cloud application infrastructure works as a utility for the user.  With major hardware and software brands, like Microsoft and Google, making cloud space solutions (GJCST, 2012), cloud computing is emerging quickly with many advantages that outweigh the issues with the application. With the correct design and implementations of policies and procedures from school districts, cloud computing will revolutionize the shape aspects of K-12 education and directly support opportunities to enhance 21^st century learning.

References:

Bonfante, L. (2014, July) Three flawed issues of cloud computing. Retrieved from http://www.cioinsight.com/it-management/expert-voices/three-flawed-issues-about-cloud-computing.html

CDW Government. (2013). 2013 State of the cloud report. Retrieved from http://www.cdwnewsroom.com/2013-state-of-the-cloud-report/

Davies, M.R., Cavanagh, S,. (2014, January 8).Cloud computing in K-12 expands, raising data privacy concerns. Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/01/08/15cloud_ep.h33.html

 GJCST. (2012, July). Cloud computing issues and benefits modern education. (12)10 Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2013/02/19/cloud-computing-to-make-up-35-of-k12-it-budgets-in-4-years.aspx?=THECL

 Nagal, David. (2013, February 19). Cloud computing to make up 35% of K-12 IT budgets in 4 years. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2013/02/19/cloud-computing-to-make-up-35-of-k12-it-budgets-in-4-years.aspx?=THECL

Thornburg, D. (2013b). Current trends in educational technology. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.

Welcome

Welcome to my Educational Technology Blog!

Hello All! Welcome to my blog.  My name is Jocelyn McDonald and I am looking forward to blogging through my journey as a doctoral student at Walden University.  I am currently studying Educational Technology and will be blogging in regards to issues and trends in education with this matter.  The beginnings of this blog will be in conjunction with the Walden course EDUC 8342 Emerging and Future Technologies. I am looking forward to sharing  knowledge as well as gaining perspectives within the realms of educational technology. I welcome comments, questions, and feedback in response to any of my post.

A little about my background:

I have been teaching for he past 10 years in public education within the Houston area of Texas. Growing up, I never thought I would become a teacher or even would be remotely interested in education.  I had always had a strong passion for science and looked forward to becoming a Pharmacologist. Little did I know that I was already destined to love the field of teaching.  As an undergraduate I attended Stephen F. Austin State University, in Nacogdoches, Texas, where I received a Bachelors of Science in chemistry.  The next step was graduate school.  However, to my surprise a bundle of joy arrived and education was an profession to join with flexible days off through out the year. Therefore, I started teaching chemistry and fell in love with the connection  was able to make with students and my passion for science.  After 8 years of teaching chemistry, I wanted to to do more and and love how different technological aspects began to transform my teaching practices.  I then decided to go back to school and get a Masters of Education in Instructional Technology at Houston Baptist University in Houston, Texas. After my first year in school, I decided to start teaching technology.

I am looking forward to growing professionally and personally through this experience.

Cheers to Educations,

Jocelyn McDonald, M.Ed.