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McLuhan’s Technique for exploring effect of technology on society |
McLuhan: “Tetrad creation comes from answering these questions about artifact under study.” |
McLuhan’s example of desktop publishing |
Application of McLuhan’s tetrad for the artifact: M-learning devices like the MP3 digital device (MP3, MP4, ipod, PDA, cell phone with voice recording capabilities) |
| 1. |
It creates something new through enlargement or enhancement. |
What does the artifact enlarge or enhance? |
Desktop publishing enhances the capacity of everyone to become a publisher. This was facilitated by the ease with which attractive page layouts could be created and then printed with laser printers whose image quality approached that of low end offset presses. |
M-learning devices like the MP3 increases the opportunity for shy Chinese university students to learn English in a non-threatening environment. This was facilitated by the ease with which this technology, the MP3 for example, is mobile. Students are able to listen to podcasts of their own recordings and those of their classmates anyday, anytime and anywhere. |
| 2. |
it obsoletes something used prior to the new technology |
What does it erode or obsolete? |
Desktop publishing obsoletes the typewriter, paste up tools, Xacto knives, and page layout tables. |
M-learning devices like the MP3 obsoleted the traditional language lab and peripheral items such as: lectures recorded on cassettes and learning materials facilitating rote memorization. |
| 3. |
it retrieves or rekindles something from the past |
What does it retrieve that has been earlier obsolesced? |
Desktop publishing rekindled an interest in typography – an art form that was popular during the Renaissance. |
M-learning devices like the MP3 digital recording device rekindled an interest in the power of the human voice – an integral aspect of human communication. And it rekindles the ancient art of story telling and sharing information, history, and progress via the spoken word By listening to one’s own voice and the voice of classmates and teachers, the student is able to reflect on personal growth and areas needed to improvement. This methodology also encompasses collaboration fostering a powerful exchange of ideas. |
| 4. |
it flips or reverses into something else when pushed to the limit of its potential |
What does it reverse or flip into when pushed to the limit or its potential? |
As computers became capable of running more powerful desktop publishing software, they kindled an interest in the creation of documents for which there was no printed analog. Publishing moved from printing to the creation of non-printable documents. |
As digital recording devices became more accessible and cheaper to compete with apple’s ipod in conjunction with the technology of a recording device was integrated into other products such as cell phones and PDAs, they have allowed for privacy and retrievable archives of audio files making learning the English language as a speaker easier. It pushes the potential of ordinary Chinese people to overcome their shyness and learn how to speak English and thus improve (hypothetically) their lifestyle.It pushes the limits of people to learn. M-learning moved from logistical technology of digital recording devices to the creation of a cultural phenomena of shy English learners. |