Let’s look at the life cycle of the phage virus and then break down the steps and compare it to the techno- virus.
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Attachment |
 The phage virus quickly finds specific receptors on the surface of the host organism’s cell and attaches. |
 The techno-virus finds someone and attaches to them either internally as a new idea or externally as a new device. For our metaphor the techno-virus will be the Smartboard. Therefore, someone (teacher, student, non-teacher) conceives the idea of the Smartboard or is exposed to it after its creation. |
| Injection |
 Once the virus creates an irreversible bond to the host cell, the virus injects its DNA into the cell. The virus DNA inserts itself into the DNA replication process of the host cell, forcing it to produce the necessary parts that will assemble and become phage viruses. |
 Once the techno-virus creates an irreversible bond to a host individual, the techno-virus integrates itself into the individual’s personal and/or professional life; into the very life fabric of the individual. The host organism may be a teacher, student and/or non-teacher. It is important to note that while some techno-viruses may originate within a specific environment no barriers exist. All host individuals, regardless of the environment, are susceptible to an infection. Once infected the host individual is a carrier and they may take the techno-virus to other virgin environments. For example, teachers (in an academic environment) are exposed to and become infected with Smartboards. The teacher may then take the Smartboard techno-virus to a business environment where they pass on the concept to anther individual who then takes it to yet another environment. |
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Replication |
 By hijacking the host cell’s biological machinery, the phage virus replicates inside the host cell, producing thousands of progeny phage. |
 By hijacking the host individual’s social and/or professional life, the techno-virus is replicated through the production of progeny techno-viruses (devices) from the individual who conceived the idea. Or the techno-virus (device) is replicated from an infected individual to anther through exposure. Here, replication is the simple act of committing to integrating the device into one’s life. The “I just gotta have that!” moment. For example, the production and marketing of Smartboards for the public and/or the commitment of boards/teachers to use the Smartboards. |
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Lysis |
 The host cell membrane breaks open to the environment, releasing the progeny phage viruses.This step occurs for each successfully infected host cell. With high concentrations of bacteria, lysis will occur almost in unison for all phage-infected hosts. |
 The host individual that conceived the techno-virus (idea) introduces it to the environment through the manufacturing of the device. Thereby releasing the progeny techno-devices. Or the progeny techno-devices are propagated from one individual to another through professional development, social networking, play, curiosity etc. For schools, this propagation is bidirectional; meaning techno-viruses are carried both into and out of the school by their carriers (teachers, students and/or non-teachers).For example, Smartboards were brought out of classrooms and into other professional environments; the internet was brought into the schools. This step occurs for each successfully infected host individual. |
NOTE: some schools are under quarantine to restrict the inflow of techno-viruses that have not been deemed appropriate or valuable to the educational environment. This unidirectional flow is ironic. While we want our students to take what they learn out to the real world and apply it, administrative educators will not allow students to bring what they learn in the real world back in; especially if it is packaged as a techno-virus.
References:
Microphage. (2003-2011). Bacteriophage Technology. Retrieved November 8,2011, from http://www.microphage.com/technology/phageBiology.cfm
National Science Foundation. (August 20, 2004). Virus on the Attack. Retrieved November 8, 2011, from http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?org=NSF&cntn_id=100420&preview=false