Communication Technology

Human communication is necessary because we are social beings. According to McDermott

(2013) communication technology in earlier times, to the fashioning of any tool, machine

or technical device used by man to facilitate the process of communicating. We can map

our progress in technological advancements from BCE to CE times; cave paintings, carrier

pigeons, marathon man, the town Cryer, North American Indians used smoke signals,

African tribes used talking drums, postal service, newspapers, telegraphs, radio,

telephone, televisions, bullroarer and the internet.

Today communication technology refers to the application of scientific advancements in

telephony (vice and voiceless) to process of communication with the aim of making it more

efficient (McDermott).
Below are the most common technologies in use today:

1. Instant messaging (IM, live chat)

Advantages:

Immediate communication

Accountability

Cheap (affordable)

Productive

Disadvantages:

Requires hardware (laptop, video)

Requires internet

The internet is not always safe. Privacy is an issue

2. Telephone

Advantages:

Immediate communication

Accountability

Conferencing

Voicemail

Disadvantages:

Expensive international calling rates

Both sender and receiver must have phones

3. Cellular phone

Advantages:
 Mobility

Duality

Disadvantage:

The battery life is short

Cell phones are expensive and the rates are also expensive

Signal coverage varies

Both sender and receiver must have access to either cellular or telephone

technology

4. Email

Advantages:

Emails are delivered quickly

Efficient enough to be sent to multiple students

Inexpensive

Convenient

Disadvantage:

Must have relevant device

Inboxes may be crowed

No guarantee of email was delivered

Persons must be able to read

Emails can lack privacy and accounts are often hacked

5. Facsimile

Advantage:

Can transmit data over long distances (range)

 Convenience because a large amount of documents can be sent

Cost effective

Hard copies are received by receiver and can be available for future.

Disadvantage:

Consumes paper can be challenge if the receiver has not loaded paper in their

system

Both parties must have a fax machines

Sender must make sure fax numbers are correct

Receiver must be able to read

6. Television

Advantages:

Facilitates both audio and visual signals

Facilitates mass communication

Disadvantages:

Television channels can be changed and message missed

Advertising and airtime can be very expensive

The receiver can respond directly or have real time conversation in most

instances

7. Radio

Advantages:

Relatively inexpensive

A form of mass communication

Radio can be found anywhere in any appliance store

 It is convenient and can be listened to when the receiver is doing other things

Disadvantages:

Only audio communication

Interference from other devices and appliances

The flow of information is one way

8. Electronic billboard

Advantages:

Both audio and visual communication can be transmitted

Facilitates mass communication

Images can be animated

Disadvantages:

Dependant on electricity (for the most part)

Receiver must be able to read

Placement may not be convenient for receivers to stop

More visually appealing at night

9. Videoconferencing

Advantages:

Facilitates both audio and visual communication

Real time communication

Receiver can consider both verbal and non-verbal aspects of the message

Disadvantages:

Expensive to implement

Persons need to have special training and computer literacy

 High maintenance cost

Both sender and receiver must have the requisite technology

10. Video chat

Advantages:

Affordable

Laptops, webcams, tablets and smart phones are popular

Can conduct live meetings and Receiver can consider both verbal and non-

verbal aspects of the message

Disadvantages:

Both sender and receiver must have the technologies and programs necessary

11. Personal digital assistants

Advantages:

Facilitates intra-personal communication

Affordable

Can store large quantities of information

Disadvantages:

Features can be distracting

Users must be able to read and use device

User must be able to remember where information is stored in the PDA

12. Social media

Advantages:

The ability to share information in an unrestricted manner

It facilitates 24 hour access

 It enables real time instant communication

Inexpensive

Entertaining but can also facilitates academic pursuits and business

Disadvantages:

Can be used irresponsibly

Privacy can easily be invaded by hackers

Inappropriate content is often posted

Both sender and receiver must have the apps required