Module 2 - Cell Phone Impact on Society Using Web 2.0 Technology

Cell phone technology was introduced to society by the Motorola Company in 1983. The company released the first generation analog phone technology which would be later replaced by a much more reliable digital technology. Car phones and full size bag phones were the first and only options for communicating outside of a land line. Over the course of the next 20+ years, cell phone technology would transform itself with the growing demand of society and the advancements of technology.

Since the introduction of the first Web browser, the Internet has been considered an interactive communications tool, but we’re just beginning to unlock the Web's ability to help us interact (Schipul, 2006). The exponential growth and advancement in technology has accelerated society’s methods of communication. We have moved from an age of communicating via home or pay phones, digital pagers, cell phones, now SPT (Smart Phone Technology), respectively. SPT provides an accelerated channel of communication through various social networking technologies by way of sending text, email, and blog messages from a single cell phone.

SPT also allows users to download other social networking applications such as IM and Facebook to keep a consistent line of communication open between family and friends. So what does the future hold for smart phone technology? Taking technology to the next level, cell phone makers are introducing 3-D technology to smart phones. For the gadget junkies watching movies or streaming video on a smart phone in 3-D could be considered the next best thing since sliced bread. For those who still operate flip phones with limited capabilities, playing in this new age of technological innovation will be virtually impossible. The exponential growth and advancement in technology has accelerated society’s methods of communication; therefore Smart Phone Technologies becoming emerged.


Reference:
Schipul, E. (2006). The Web's next generation: Web 2.0. Public Relations Tactics, 13(3), 23. Retrieved from SocINDEX with Full Text database.

Module 1 Identify an Emerged Technology

Social networking technology is a growing phenomenon in society. Practically every human being has a cell phone, computer or laptop at his or her disposal. The use of email is sharing the same space of letter writing. The trends of blogging, texting, and using Face Book are taking over the way we communicate via cyber space. Over the past 10 years, the educational system has advanced in its efforts to communicate to parents concerning their children’s progress in school, or sending out general communication about school events via email.

Email is becoming a dinosaur of communication and texting, while blogging and Face Book are the wave of the future. The National School Boards Association (NSBA, 2007) conducted a survey of students, parents, and administrators to determine the purpose of using SNSs; therefore the researchers found that close to 60% of students who utilized SNSs did so to talk about education-related topics (e.g., college, news, jobs, politics) and 50% of students used SNSs to discuss school work they were assigned in the classroom (As cited in Morgan, 2010).

So how do we link these social networking sites to education? How do we address parents and teacher concerns about privacy and possible abuse of the sites as it relates to the content that is placed on a user’s profile? With the assistance from the education system, creators of the most popular social networking sites could develop ESN (Educational Social Networking). The idea behind ESN would be to create a secured education channel to the sites. Built in active monitoring tools for content and create new creative education logos distinguishing social based from education based. Roach (2006), conducted a study which engaged social networking technologies in education, and found that over half of the students respondents would “read a blog authorized by a faculty member” that pertained to course information and school activities.

If embraced by the education system, social networking sites could be utilized to conduct group/class discussions and posting weekly assignments on Blog sites. High school students who are looking to take professional development courses to prepare them for life after graduation could utilize Linked In for professional networking. Student collaboration could be done through Facebook and with the concept of ESN; this goal could be accomplished in a closely monitored virtual classroom environment. The best thing about the concept, it would come at no additional cost to the education system!

References:


Morgan, J. (2010). Social Networking Web Sites Teaching Appropriate Social Competence to
Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. Intervention in School and Clinic,
(45), 147 - 157.

Roach, R (2006). Prospective college students receptive to electronic social networking
recruitment methods, survey finds. Diverse Issues in Higher Education online