The overhead projector, specifically used for presentations, has transformed many spheres that rely on a structural presentation format. There are two different settings I would like to discuss.
The business setting has seen a radical transformation in presentation styles. An old-style easel with flip pages was the standard for a time. However, with the increasing need for strong, visual sales presentations, powerpoint presentations became the new standard. The ability to insert charts, graphs, pictures with ease and speed quickly gave the overhead video projector a one up.
The classroom setting is another place where this comtech has exploded. Few professors and teachers rely on anything less than a powerpoint presentation, and, consequently, expect nothing less than that from students.
Overall, Jacques Ellul's theory comes to mind in reference to image and truth. This method of presentation and communication brings both into effect. We definitely see the importance of image within this comtech. In the classroom, we are so used to digesting text and lecture that a picture can be a soothing presence to our mind. While we are flooded with truth, a picture can bring it back to reality. In the business world, charts and graphs provide a reality to the numbers. A picture of the product can induce more feelings and prove more persuasive than any sales demo.
However, Neil Postman's question about new problems being created is interesting to consider. I have noticed this in my own class presentations. Students are becoming more reliant on the ppt structure to lead their presentations. There is no need to memorize the information when you have an outline right in front of you. This comes up most apparently when there is a lack of fluid transitions. There is an abrupt shift in thought and speech when the slide is switched. Obviously, good students will still realize the importance of their oral presentation. That is one problem this comtech has created.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Entry 6
There is an interesting communication method being presented over the course of the next year. They are making a fourth Terminator movie that is being precursed by a TV series. This is an incredibly unique system. Many TV series have come from movies, but rarely the other way around. It was so interesting to see how this might fit into communication technologies. The TV series is almost a form of advertising. There are a few thoughts on how this communication could work.
It could fit into Rogers' theory of diffusion. It is difficult to foresee the effectiveness of this strategy, but it will definitely take quite a bit of diffusion for this stategy to be effective. There will be fair amount of people who are chronic television watchers that will buy into it, but it will take a lot of hype to get into more popular circles, as is the case with most TV shows.
Viewing it under the Umbrella Theory provides another perspective that could make a case for its success. There is no competition in this category of advertising. It is such an incredibly unique communication that it is untouched.
Overall, it is not a new technology (TV), but rather a new system within that technology. It could revolutionize both movie and TV technology.
It could fit into Rogers' theory of diffusion. It is difficult to foresee the effectiveness of this strategy, but it will definitely take quite a bit of diffusion for this stategy to be effective. There will be fair amount of people who are chronic television watchers that will buy into it, but it will take a lot of hype to get into more popular circles, as is the case with most TV shows.
Viewing it under the Umbrella Theory provides another perspective that could make a case for its success. There is no competition in this category of advertising. It is such an incredibly unique communication that it is untouched.
Overall, it is not a new technology (TV), but rather a new system within that technology. It could revolutionize both movie and TV technology.
Entry 5
3) What evidence do you see of the impact of communication technologies on our society? This can come from personal experiences, articles you come across in the newspaper, stories from TV etc. - anything that demonstrates changes in society due in part to communication technologies.
As an RA, I have seen the way communication changes from the beginning of the year. Immediately, incoming students are always reading through every message--email, blackboard, syllabus--and listening to every word. About midway through the third week they hit an overload and head in a completely different direction. At this point, all but the most vital messages are utterly ignored. Emails that are designated, or at least seen, as mass emails are definitely ignored. In fact, the messages checked the most are myspace or facebook messages. This depends on the frequency of the messages, but the same principal applies.
I think it associates most closely with Simmel's theory on perceived intimacy. Despite frequency and form, people are still affected by more by perceptions. Mass emails show no intimacy are commonly ignored, while facebook and myspace have a designation of social activity that encourages and produces a form of intimacy.
The only stipulation is this: Even when the form is changed, the intimacy is still perceived differently. Some organizations have started using social networks to communicate and the lack of intimacy is still significant. In this case, it seems that intimacy is only felt through specified and direct communication and has no direct connection to form.
As an RA, I have seen the way communication changes from the beginning of the year. Immediately, incoming students are always reading through every message--email, blackboard, syllabus--and listening to every word. About midway through the third week they hit an overload and head in a completely different direction. At this point, all but the most vital messages are utterly ignored. Emails that are designated, or at least seen, as mass emails are definitely ignored. In fact, the messages checked the most are myspace or facebook messages. This depends on the frequency of the messages, but the same principal applies.
I think it associates most closely with Simmel's theory on perceived intimacy. Despite frequency and form, people are still affected by more by perceptions. Mass emails show no intimacy are commonly ignored, while facebook and myspace have a designation of social activity that encourages and produces a form of intimacy.
The only stipulation is this: Even when the form is changed, the intimacy is still perceived differently. Some organizations have started using social networks to communicate and the lack of intimacy is still significant. In this case, it seems that intimacy is only felt through specified and direct communication and has no direct connection to form.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Entry 2
I have recently considered getting one of the new, high-tech cell phones. You know the kind: email, planner, texting, internet, chat, walkie-talkie, etc. I have been so overwhelmed with the pace of life that I want an all-in-one package that keeps track of it all for me. This is what I want to talk about in response to Neil Postman's question:
What new problems might be created because we have solved this problem?
Considering this question is difficult because I have only thought of the upsides of this purchase. If I had a cell phone that had WiFi capabilities, I could check emails on the go. I could email myself reminders. I could check assignments while on the go. Considering assigments now come from several web based sources, this phone would solve many difficulties keeping track of class work. In addition, life as an RA has me constantly checking email for updates on programming and meetings. I have been late or missed several meetings because of a failure to check email. I also have a very difficult time with pen and paper planners. My current cell phone is maxed on its memory because of how often I use the calendar. A cell phone with a much improved calendar system and higher memory would do some wonders for me. But how could this phone create new problems for me? One, the internet access might cause attention difficulties. Having unlimited access to the internet in almost any location might cause me to miss things. In addition, my reliance on one technology might be bad if that technology were to go out. Of course, the only thing I would really miss is the planner and phone. Overall, I think I'm a shying toward making this purchase.
What new problems might be created because we have solved this problem?
Considering this question is difficult because I have only thought of the upsides of this purchase. If I had a cell phone that had WiFi capabilities, I could check emails on the go. I could email myself reminders. I could check assignments while on the go. Considering assigments now come from several web based sources, this phone would solve many difficulties keeping track of class work. In addition, life as an RA has me constantly checking email for updates on programming and meetings. I have been late or missed several meetings because of a failure to check email. I also have a very difficult time with pen and paper planners. My current cell phone is maxed on its memory because of how often I use the calendar. A cell phone with a much improved calendar system and higher memory would do some wonders for me. But how could this phone create new problems for me? One, the internet access might cause attention difficulties. Having unlimited access to the internet in almost any location might cause me to miss things. In addition, my reliance on one technology might be bad if that technology were to go out. Of course, the only thing I would really miss is the planner and phone. Overall, I think I'm a shying toward making this purchase.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Entry 4
I think that Rogers' diffusion theory is an interesting concept. It makes a ton of sense why some technologies take off and other's fail. Innovators are, as Dr. Sochay would put it, nerds. While they understand the technology better than anyone, they don't have the social networks or skills to communicate the benefits and abilities of this technology. I see a lot of early adopters in terms of the ipod. Thinking of when it came out and the kids in my high school who were the first to have one. They were wealthy and popular. They led and others followed. The rest is history.
One thing I have noticed about this theory is that it may be edging toward a transformation. The thing now that has never been is that the innovators now have large social networks via the internet. Whether they are blogging or gaming, they have an entire online community. They now have their own social code. They have a language with which to communicate. One innovator may be playing Halo 3 online with early adopters and early majority. There is now increased communication between groups that haven't had that before.
One thing I have noticed about this theory is that it may be edging toward a transformation. The thing now that has never been is that the innovators now have large social networks via the internet. Whether they are blogging or gaming, they have an entire online community. They now have their own social code. They have a language with which to communicate. One innovator may be playing Halo 3 online with early adopters and early majority. There is now increased communication between groups that haven't had that before.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Entry 3 (I think...)
I think this is entry 3 because I have two, but they are both titled as entry 1.
The big thing that has been on my mind recently is the use of the internet for classes. In talking with many classmates, we are unsure if the internet has helped our education process. Of course the internet is an absolutely invaluable asset for research and communication, but there are many other things to consider.
First, research is greatly improved with the development of the internet. However, the internet has now become so developed that it is difficult to find a "valid" source. Because of the quantity of sources available, we are now expected to have more sources than we actually need. In addition, because of the quantity of this information, it has become much more difficult to sift through. Some library search engines help, but the sources are limited for many reasons based on the engines filtering process.
Second, communication has been greatly improved. Email, blogs, instant messaging, online forums, social networks, and many others have formed an incredible number of ways to keep in touch with people. Professors have nearly unlimited access to their students, and the same with students to professors. This is good right? Yes and no. Instead of the classic assignment style where the professor gives an assigment in class, the professor now assigns from a variety of medians. The professor assigns a paper at the end of class one, and sends an email the next. After that, there is an assignment posted on blackboard. But is it in the assignments section or the class discussion section? In addition, we can't forget to look in the syllabus. Then, we can't forget to respond on our blog website. Essentially, the potential for an assigment can come from around five or six different places, sometimes from more than one at a time.
Essentially, the development of internet has helped and hurt. We can find information anywhere, but we can't use much of it. There is more communication between professors and students, but also more assignments that can go unnoticed and unkown. It might be that we are in the transition period, and that the next generation will have already been adapted to this and know how to overcome it. However, the positives and negatives are there.
PS. The hard thing about online posts and blogs is that you can type the whole thing, be so relieved that you finished, so excited to submit and forget about it, that you forget to copy and paste. Now what happens in an environment with a system that refreshes constantly and a network that sends info in packets instead of a constant stream? Sometimes, in fact, rather often, the post is lost and must be republished. Difficult to handle for busy college students. But thank God for advancement in communication. Amen?
The big thing that has been on my mind recently is the use of the internet for classes. In talking with many classmates, we are unsure if the internet has helped our education process. Of course the internet is an absolutely invaluable asset for research and communication, but there are many other things to consider.
First, research is greatly improved with the development of the internet. However, the internet has now become so developed that it is difficult to find a "valid" source. Because of the quantity of sources available, we are now expected to have more sources than we actually need. In addition, because of the quantity of this information, it has become much more difficult to sift through. Some library search engines help, but the sources are limited for many reasons based on the engines filtering process.
Second, communication has been greatly improved. Email, blogs, instant messaging, online forums, social networks, and many others have formed an incredible number of ways to keep in touch with people. Professors have nearly unlimited access to their students, and the same with students to professors. This is good right? Yes and no. Instead of the classic assignment style where the professor gives an assigment in class, the professor now assigns from a variety of medians. The professor assigns a paper at the end of class one, and sends an email the next. After that, there is an assignment posted on blackboard. But is it in the assignments section or the class discussion section? In addition, we can't forget to look in the syllabus. Then, we can't forget to respond on our blog website. Essentially, the potential for an assigment can come from around five or six different places, sometimes from more than one at a time.
Essentially, the development of internet has helped and hurt. We can find information anywhere, but we can't use much of it. There is more communication between professors and students, but also more assignments that can go unnoticed and unkown. It might be that we are in the transition period, and that the next generation will have already been adapted to this and know how to overcome it. However, the positives and negatives are there.
PS. The hard thing about online posts and blogs is that you can type the whole thing, be so relieved that you finished, so excited to submit and forget about it, that you forget to copy and paste. Now what happens in an environment with a system that refreshes constantly and a network that sends info in packets instead of a constant stream? Sometimes, in fact, rather often, the post is lost and must be republished. Difficult to handle for busy college students. But thank God for advancement in communication. Amen?
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