Communication Technology

Communication Technology

Communication is usually defined as the transmission of information.

Communication technology (CT), also known as information technology (IT), refers to all equipment and
programs used to process and communicate information. When you choose to communicate via any
technology, it is called Computer Mediated Communication(CMC). Communicating excellence through
technology is a necessary skill in today’s workforce. Using any form of technology for communication
means you are taking part in CMC. It is important to note that the technological landscape is ever-
changing. So, it is equally important to keep pace and adapt to new tools. For example, schools and
educational organizations had to adapt quickly to leverage technology.

Modes of interpersonal mediated communication include telephone conversations, letters, electronic

mail, and audio/video cassettes.
 Functions of Communication:
The main functions are as follows:
i) Information: Communication refers to collective storage and dissemination of
information for wider utilization by people. In this way it enables people to participate in
and take intelligent decisions on, any issues of social relevance. Information has been
taken as a resource for development – socio-cultural and economic.

ii) Socialisation: Communication helps individuals become active members of the society to
which they belong. People learn social norms in order to live cohesively. Having access to a
variety of information, individuals get opportunities to understand each other and appreciate
other people’s feeling, emotions, ideas and expectations in a social system.
iii) Motivation: Motivation of the individual members of a society plays an important role for its
development. Communication fosters the individual and community activities, and motivates the
people to meet goals, which have been mutually agreed upon. Well-informed individuals take the
initiative of social welfare.

iv) Education: Dissemination of information enhances the individual’s intellectual development

and helps one acquire the skills and aptitude required to become a productive member of society.
In this way, communication and education are two sides of the same coin. The quality of
education depends on the quality of communication between society and its members.

v) Entertainment: Entertainment and recreation are important means of making individuals and
society healthy. People find enjoyment and entertainment through various communication
activities, viz. dance, drama, sports, music, etc. These means of communication provide
personal and collective enjoyment.
 Means of Communication
i) Signs and sounds: Since primitive times, human beings have been using simple signs for
communication. Body language and other non-verbal languages, viz., facial expression,
gestures, music, songs, drawings, paintings, etc. are in use in different societies. In the tribal
societies these means of communication are used for a variety of purposes, despite their
obvious limitations (MacBride, 1980). These means of communication became refined and
their reach was extended to still larger uses with the passage of time.
ii) Language: A number of languages and dialects are used for communication purposes all
over the world. In India, there are 22 scheduled languages listed under the Eighth Schedule
of the Constitution and over hundreds of dialects used for communication.
Language plays an important role in communication in both the face-to-face situation and at a
distance — at the national or the international levels. The use of language is an important
factor in educational communication too. Problems arise as a large section of the people
does not understand each other’s language, and this hampers the effectiveness of
communication among them.
iii) Postal system: The postal system is the most vital network for point-to-point
delivery of information. It serves as the focal point for communication at a distance
throughout the world. You may be aware of the fact that most of the communications
of open universities, including IGNOU, takes place through post only. The postal
system is the most accepted means of communication in both developing and
developed countries. India has one of the biggest, well-established and efficient postal
services in the world, which makes it possible for us to reach each and every corner of
the country.
iv) Telephone: One of the interpersonal communication networks is the telephone
system. No other media can match the telephone for direct and spontaneous
communication (MacBride, 1980). The use of the telephone in education is not yet
popular in India. The limited telephone network and the high costs, besides the lack of
initiative on the part of the educators in the country, are the main handicaps in using
the telephone extensively in distance education. The growth of telephone communication,
however, has been quite rapid in our country in recent years, especially with the
emergence and rapid proliferation of mobile telephony. As of April 2010, the total number
of telephone subscribers in India was 638.05 million (including 601.22 million wireless and
36.83 million wire line connections) with an overall tele density of 54.10%.
v) Mass media: The invention of the printing press and the radio waves has
revolutionized the communication system throughout the world. These means have
increased the reach and effectiveness of communication. Textbooks, newspapers, radio
and television broadcasts have stepped into the area of mass education. By overcoming
geographic barriers, broadcasting is successfully transmitting information to an unlimited
audience. It crosses the boundaries of countries. The innovations in communication
technology have opened new horizons for communication.
vi) Satellites: The satellite-based communication has opened new horizons for the
transmission of information over long distances. Satellites have brought the entire would
together. One can transmit or receive information from any part of the world in no time at
all. Many countries have their own communication satellites. The satellites so far
launched by India are largely used for various domestic purposes. Besides the television
and radio broadcasts, the Indian National Satellites (INSAT) are capable of providing
facilities for the meteorological data, telephone networking, remote sensing, etc. In 2004,
India launched a dedicated satellite for education.
vii) Computers: The computers are the most advanced and sophisticated means of
communication. They are a force in education, as they perform a number of functions
with complete efficiency. They have made communication more interactive and
individualized, especially because of the email and the web. We will study more about
these in Block 4.
 MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY OF COMMUNICATION

Communication media include the various instructional aids that are used in the
instructional process. These can be classified according to the senses they stimulate and
the messages they transmit.

i) Audio
a) Voice (any human sender of the message)
b) Gramophone records
c) Audio tapes, to be used in a tape-recorder or language laboratory
d) Stereo records/ tapes
e) Radio
f) Telephonic conversations.
ii) Visual (Verbal) print or duplicated
a) Textbooks, supplementary books
b) Reference books, encyclopaedia, etc
c) Magazines, newspapers, etc.
d) Documents, clippings from published material
e) Duplicated written material

iii) Visual (non-projected, two dimensional)

a) Messages/ pictures on roll-up board
b) Flat pictures, cut-outs
c) Posters, charts, graphs, etc.
d) Cartoons, comics, etc.
iv) Visual (non-projected, three-dimensional)
a) Models, mock-ups, display materials
b) Diagrams
c) Globes or maps (three-dimensional)
d) Specimens (animate or inanimate)
e) Puppets

v) Visual (projected-still)
a) Slides
b) Film strips
c) Overhead transparencies
d) Micro image system: micro film, micro card, micro fiche
vi) Audio-visual (projected-motion)
a) Film
b) Television
c) Close-circuit television
d) Video cassettes

vii) Multi-media packages (for more than one sense)

a) Slide + tape + workbook
b) Slide + tape + workbook
c) Radio + slide or posters (Radio vision)
d) Film + posters + workbook (print materials)
e) Television + workbook (print materials)
f) Any of the above + group discussion
g) Any of the above+ introductory and summarizing talk by teacher/ leader of the group
viii) New emerging media (all of these are multisensory)
a) Tele-conferencing (group discussion through telephones)
b) Cable television (localized television where feedback is possible)
c) Satellite television/ communication satellites
d) Computer networking
e) Video discs
f) Mini computers/ micro computers/ word processors
Technology in the
Workplace
Communication via
Internet, Intranet and
Social Media
 Internet

The Internet is a vast network that connects computers all over

the world. Through the Internet, people can share information and
communicate from anywhere with an internet connection.

▪ Can you think of how workplaces

operated before the internet?
▪ How do you think the internet
has made the workplace more
efficient?

Source: Britannica 2
Uses of the internet

a) Online Research

▪ Search Engine
▪ Crediting Sources
Research

▪ Checking Sources ▪ Online Forums

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b) Websites

A website refers to a ‘site’ on the ‘web’ where

you can put information about yourself, your
business, or any other topic .

A company’s website forms the first

and foremost impression of the brand.
A website is the most important
communication an entity will have
with external stakeholders.

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Intranet
Companies often provide private, organization-wide information networks
that look like a website. These networks are called intranets, and they
provide pages where employees can get the latest company news, view
calendars of events and access important documents.

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Benefits of intranets

Increase employee Integrates third-party tools

productivity for a unified workplace

Boosts employee
Save costs
engagement

Provides a built-in
No IT knowledge required
social media platform

Enhances collaboration
Supports remote work
and communication

Provides high security

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 Social media

Social media are web-based

communication tools that
enable people to interact with
each other by sharing and
consuming information.

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Source: Lifewire
Popular social media platforms

▪ Facebook ▪ YouTube

▪ LinkedIn ▪ Twitter

▪ Pinterest ▪ Reddit

▪ Instagram ▪ Social Media Groups

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Let’s Discuss: Facebook at work

Why should you use Facebook at Work?

Why should you not use Facebook at Work?

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How companies use social media to achieve success

1. Helps increase brand awareness

2. Develops human connections
3. Develops brand recognition and recall
4. Increases website traffic
5. Helps generate leads and boost sales
6. Helps promote new products and services
7. Develops direct communication with customers
8. Helps in customer support
9. Helps target the right audience
10. Helps stay updated on the latest industry news
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Tips on how to manage social media for the workplace

1. Start with a plan

2. Decide which social media platforms are right for you
3. Know your audience
4. Build relationships for the company with external stakehold
5. Become a part of social media groups
6. Connect with other entrepreneurs and influencers
7. Use the interactive tools provided by various platforms
8. Choose content that is relevant and effective
9. Post interactive and engaging creatives
10. Be regular with updates and usage
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In order to achieve excellence with Communication Technology

▪ Decide whom to send

▪ Pause to think
it to

▪ Match the right

▪ Send message using
message with the
selected channel
right channel

▪ Think about timing

to send message

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