Rhymes of History

RHYMES OF HISTORY TECHNOLOGY

            Thornburgh suggests that there are six factors that drive emerging technologies and seek to explain how and why these technologies are adopted: evolutionary technologies, rhymes of history, disruptive technologies, science fiction, increasing returns, and Red Queens (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009b).  More specifically, he states that the force called rhymes of history demonstrates how societal events of the past have influenced today’s emerging technology, and thus the affect or impact of new technology rekindles something from the distant past (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009a). One example he presented to illustrate rhymes of history is the use of social networking tools, such as Facebook and MySpace, among adolescents rekindles water hole gathers from ancient times.  Just like social networking is not just a place to keep abreast with what’s going on, but also serves as a social gathering, which allows individuals to chat and socialize with their peers, the water hole gathering served not only as a place where one went to get water for their families, but also served as a social gathering to keep up with what’s going on in their communities and each other. 

            Mark Twain’s quote, “History may not repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme a lot,” is often used to illustrate rhymes of history.  Although I understand Thornburgh’s point about rhymes of history, I personally do not view the emergence of technology in the same way.  Throughout the ages, human beings have specific needs and desires where technology has emerged over time and have enhanced making it possible to best meet these needs.  Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs presented in his paper, “A Theory of Human Motivation,” in Psychological Review in 1943 outlines five levels of basic human needs and desires that man strives to meet: physiological, safety, love and belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization/self-transcendence.  In my opinion, technology has helped man over the years helped in meeting these basic desires.  Man has a natural desire and need to socialize and share ideas with one another, and today’s social networking tools have helped improve man’s ability in meeting this need. 

            With this in mind, I am much interested in exploring how educators are able to take advantage of social networking to enhance classroom instruction and collaboration among individual students.  Edmodo is a social networking tool that can be used in the K-12 setting to allow teachers to best implement collaborative learning activities online. 

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (2009a). Emerging and future technology: Rhymes of history. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (2009b). Emerging and future technology: Six forces that drive emerging technologies. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Thornburg, D. (2008). Emerging technologies and McLuhan’s laws of media. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration. Retrieved from: https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201470_01/PH_EDUC/NCATE_EDUC_8848_EDUC_7108/Module%202/Resources/Resources/embedded/emerging_technologies_and_mcluhan's_laws_of_media.pdf.