Module 2: Emerging Technologies Tetrad

Emerging Technologies Tetrad

With your Learning Community, select one emerging technology that has gone through a series of progressions (similar to the communications example in the “Back 150 Timeline” in this week's Optional Resources). McLuhan indicated that tetrads can grow as clusters or as chains. Chains form when reversal or retrieval becomes the technology for the next tetrad. Clusters form when different media share one of the same laws: enhances, obsoletes, reverses, or retrieves. For example, if four different technologies all obsolete or retrieve the same concept, then they form a cluster (McLuhan & McLuhan, 1988, p. 130).

Create a tetrad of an emerging technology with progressions. All members of your Learning Community should use the same technology to create their tetrads; this way, everyone can observe the different approaches taken by their classmates. Post your tetrad to your blog, including an explanation of how it answers the following four questions.

• Enhances: What does this technology do that is new?
• Obsoletes: What does this technology replace?
• Retrieves/Rekindles: What does this technology bring to mind (or retrieve) from the past?
• Reverses: What might replace this technology in the future, or what might it cause to occur? 

             Smartboard technology enhances the learning process for students. It enhances use of the LCD projector and the computer for both the students and the teacher to make it interactive. It has made the chalk board obsolete. There is no need to write on the board, when you can display it with or type it on the computer. It reverses the use and need of the LCD projectors and computer, because it allows both students and teachers to get up and become in the class and with the lessons. It is also takes educational technology to a new level.