Before I started this week’s group project, I was not familiar with the term Internet of Things (IoT). I was using IoT every day but was completely unaware of its existence. I am an online student and I will continue to use the Internet of Things on my desktop computer, my tablet, and even my phone. I am certain when I open my zoo one day that I will incorporate the Internet of Things as an educational asset through the zoo. I want to give people the opportunity to not only learn by what animals they are seeing but I would also like to have computers available connected to the Internet so they can log into the zoo database to learn even more.
Based on the theory of Diffusion of Innovation and how this theory relates to the Internet of Things I would have to say that the two are interrelated or possibly the two compliment one another. The Diffusion of Innovation theory looks at how products are accepted by their intended recipients and the IoT is the conduit of the new technology connected to the Internet. New products seem to be born constantly in today’s marketplace and with that birth the IoT grows simultaneously.
I consider myself somewhere between the early adopter and the early majority. I am not first in line to purchase new technology but I am also not one to fight technology change. I am also open to new technology and how I can use it for research with school and my zoo as well as for personal use. I do however prefer to read reviews and to ask others about the success or failure of new technology before I jump in to use it. In school with my educational accommodations I was able to try technologies to help me achieve academic success. Some technologies that worked for other students did not work well for me and vice versa.
Tech for Leading and Learning - McElroy 