Disruptive innovation

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Disruptive innovation (or disruptive technology) is a term proposed by Clayton M. Christensen to describe a new technology that unexpectedly displaces an established technology. This is contrasted with sustaining technology, which is viewed as incrementally improving or evolving technology.

At least in the context of education, wikis are arguably disruptive technologies. Traditionally, knowledge-content was stored and held by experts, schools, publishers, etc. - even in the digital age and even with the advent of supposedly student-centered "learning management systems". However, educational wikis put a simple technology in the hands of "students" and "teachers" alike and minimise reliance on arbitrary power-structures in the educational socio-dynamic of information-brokering.

1. Dvorak, J. C. (2004). The myth of disruptive technology.
2. Klang, M. (2006). Disruptive Technology: Effects of Technology Regulation on Democracy. Doctoral dissertation.

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