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Evolution of Digital Communication Theories

Explore the evolution of communication theories in the context of new media technologies, including mediated communication and mass media. Understand the impact of digital channels on communication patterns and societal interactions.

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Evolution of Digital Communication Theories

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  1. New Media Technologies: Communication Theories COM 300 – Week 2Evolution of Digital Communication Kathy E. Gill 12 Jan 2009

  2. Agenda • Communication Theories • More “New Media” Discussion • Multi-Media: telegraph

  3. New media (recapped) • Some definitions focus on computer technology, others focus on interactivity • Differences: • Audiences not heterogeneous • Control shifts from communicator to audience

  4. Communication • A process in which participants create and share information with one another in order to reach mutual understanding (Rogers, 1995).

  5. Mediated communication • What is it? • d. mediated. (adj) acting or brought about through an intervening agent; (v) to be in the middle • Why would we study it? • We live in an ever-increasingly mediated world

  6. Part one : medium • A go-between/intermediary in the communication binding the sender and receive • Considers symbolic and cognitive theories of the psychology of representation • Considers theories of meaning in signs and symbols (semiotics)

  7. Part two : mass media (1/2) • Mass communication characteristics: • Directed towards a large, heterogeneous audience • Messages are transmitted publicly, are transient in nature, and are timed to reach all simultaneously • Communicator works for an organization Charles Wright, 1959, from Communication Theories: Origins, Methods and Uses in the Mass Media, 1988, p7

  8. Part two : mass media (2/2) • Mass media communication traditionally encompasses these channels • Newspapers, magazines (print technologies) • TV, radio (electronic technologies) • Note: “news” v “ads”

  9. Channel • The physical/technical transmission as well as any device needed for encoding/decoding • May encompass advertising channels (direct mail) or news (TV) • One-to-many, one-way channel is typical

  10. So, what is new? • Technologically? • Socially? Your thoughts, based on readings? • Three BIG things:

  11. Concept of scarcity • Gone! • Bits can be shared; atoms cannot • Implications? • How does this relate to Bush’s musings about Memex? • Does it make it easier or harder to “remediate”? Why?

  12. Constraint of time • Gone! • Time-shifting (Tivo, podcasting, 24x7 tech support via the web … what else?) • How do you think that the speed in which we now communicate (e-mail, mobile phones, etc.) has affected our communication?

  13. Constraint of space • Geographical barriers: Gone! • Internet technology lets us “space shift” like we “time shift” – (almost) seamlessly • There are environmental benefits from the advancement of technology, specifically from computers. If in the future, all of academia (from grade school & beyond) required only computer-based work, what would your response be to the change? Why?

  14. New channels • WWW • E-mail • Videoconferencing • MP3 • Electronic publishing • Mobile telephony What do they have in common?

  15. Computer Mediated Communication (1/2) • Desktop computers used as tools to influence human cognition and convey messages among people (focuses on the technology, older definition) • Any form of communication between two or more individuals who interact and/or influence each other using social software on separate computers linked by a network (focuses on the people)

  16. CMC (2/2) • CMC software has two categories: asynchronous and synchronous (Smith, 1994). http://www.edb.utexas.edu/csclstudent/kim/text/ASCmC.html

  17. Synchronous • Two or more group members have real-time (simultaneous) communication • Instant Messenging can be synchronous • Face-to-face meetings; video conference; other?

  18. Asynchronous • Allows group members to work individually and “alone” • Provides time/space flexibility • E-mail, BBs • Example: virtual teams

  19. Virtual Teams • Types • Temporary (no common history or future) • Permanent (common history and future) • Forms of Interaction • Face-to-face (meetings, formal or informal) • Electronically-mediated (phone, CMC, videoconference) • Context • Culture and geography may be similar or different

  20. CMC/Web Characteristics (1/2) • Hardware independent • Software independent • IM Not Here Yet, But Close (Google) • Open standards • Information sharing • “Give back” (contribute) to the community

  21. CMC/Web Characteristics (2/2) • A blend of characteristics from “old” media • Print • Radio • Film • TV

  22. Print Characteristics • Abstract • Fixed • Linear • Primarily verbal • Reader controls pace

  23. Radio Characteristics • Auditory • Creator controls pace • Dynamic • Linear • “Live” — happening in real time • Transient audience

  24. TV Characteristics • Animated • Creator controls pace • Dynamic • Linear • “Live” — may be happening now • Primarily visual • Transient audience

  25. Film Characteristics • Animated • Captive Audience • Creator Controls Pace • Fixed • Linear • Primarily Visual

  26. Web Characteristics • Dynamic (not fixed) content • “Live” (maybe) • Multi-media (visual, auditory) • Transient audience • Typically nonlinear • User controls pace and direction

  27. Mass audience no longer • From broadcast to narrowcast • Time-shifting • Accelerates a move foreshadowed by niche publishing

  28. Summary • Mediated Communication is … • Two types are … • Three characteristics of new media and their impacts …

  29. Resources • Effects of Four CMC Channels on Trust • Glossary of Internet Terms • JCMC

  30. Reading Discussion • Break into your discussion groups • There are four questions (seven groups) • Discussion – reach as much consensus as possible • “Report out” and group discussion

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