Process of Human Communication on the Internet

1. Process of Human Communication on the Internet Chapter 2 Shedletsky & Aitken Human Communication on the Internet

2. Some Questions Considered • What happens to our communication because of the Internet? • Why is looking at human communication on the Internet important, or is it? • What do we mean when we say that communication on the Internet is paradoxical? • What is the framework we adopt for looking at communication on the Internet? • How does Communication on the Internet work?

3. Concepts considered • Metamorphosis • Technological determinism • (Cyber)literacy • The interactive nature of communication

4. What sort of medium is the Internet? • Mass medium • Interpersonal medium • Personal medium

5. Information and Communication • Information— an idea of communication represented in linear models of communication; • Communication— an idea of communication represented in transactional models of communication;

6. Distinctions • The Internet • The WWW

7. Our focus • Computer-Mediated Communication • Examples, reading e-mail, looking at web sites, discussion on electronic groups, reading online journals;

8. CMC • A human activity; • Interpersonal communication over the Internet; • Much like having a conversation; • Effects and associations; • Context;

9. Contexts and Media Distinctions • Levels of communication (intrapersonal, interpersonal, mass communication) and media distinctions (such as television and radio) do not make good sense on the Internet; • Simultaneity of levels of communication;

10. Why study human communication on the Internet? • Open to new understandings; • To maximize performance; • To understand who we are, what we strive for, and how we evolve as communicators;

11. Communicaton Media • Examining the dimensions of communication that are enhanced or diminished or even hidden by a medium; • Communication on the Internet incorporates: • Language • writing

12. Language and Writing • Language: • Represents ideas; • For thinking • For expressing • Writing: • Records ideas • To preserve • To transport • To distribute

13. E-mail as a Medium • No need to be present at the same time; • We can edit what we say; • We can take our time in expressing our selves; • We can take our time in thinking about the other’s message to us; • We are not seen nor do we see the other; • Our message is preserved;

14. E-mail as an Interpersonal Device • We can communicate to satisfy our social needs for: • Pleasure • Affection • Inclusion • Escape • Relaxation • Control

15. The Internet Intensifies • The Internet Intensifies: • Mental aspects of communication; • Speed; • Connection; • Change; • Concentration; • Play; • Interactivity;

16. Models of Communication • A transmission model; • A transactional model; • An intrapersonal model;

17. Which model best helps you understand this event:

19. Note that this is a linear model Information source Transmitter Receiver Destination Signal Received Signal Message Message Noise Source Shannon and Weaver’s Model of Communication