© 2011 Cengage Learning

Technology Terms Computer-mediated communication (CMC) – the use of various technologies to facilitate communication with others Technological determinism – suggests that technology is irreversible, inevitable, inescapable

Characteristics of Comm. Technology © 2011 Cengage Learning

Characteristics of Communication Technology It is pervasive It is paradoxical – “global village” – global suggests an expansive view of the world; village suggests a small community It is powerful

© 2011 Cengage Learning The Accessibility of Communication Technology Accessibility helps eliminate the technological gap between people and culture communities – “digital divide”

© 2011 Cengage Learning The Accessibility of Communication Technology Access Trends of tech. users: – Elite tech users = 31% of American adults – Middle-of-the-road tech users = 20% of American adults – Few tech assets = 49% of American adults

© 2011 Cengage Learning The Accessibility of Communication Technology Problems with meaning can occur especially when not all have access. Access to technology also has benefits: – Increases safety – Creates a sense of play – Improves psychological well-being

Facts about Internet Usage © 2011 Cengage Learning

Web 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 Web 1.0 – primarily a storehouse of info & tools Web 2.0 – broader, more interactive, more democratic Web 3.0 – computers think intuitively; exists largely in theory

© 2011 Cengage Learning

The Dark Side of the Internet Little Accountability or Responsibility Fostering of Hate “Flaming” Privacy – Invasion of.. – Loss of info. Control – Regret

The Dark Side of the Internet Privacy – Invasion of.. – Loss of info. Control – Regret

The Bright Side of the Internet Widening your Social Network Increase Knowledge base Remaining Connected Throughout Life – With some training, older adults can derive many benefits from using technology.

Issues with the “Presented” Online Self © 2011 Cengage Learning

Assumptions of Online Presentations of Self Assumption 1: The computer screen can deceive

© 2011 Cengage Learning Assumptions of Online Presentations of Self Assumption 2: Online discussions often prompt introspection Assumption 3: Online discussions promote self-orientation Assumption 4: Self-disclosure occurs online – PCDP = postcyberdisclosure panic

Maintain a relationship online © 2011 Cengage Learning

Advantages to Meeting Someone Online Many people online “looking” “Profile” previewing to screen out You know something about how the other person thinks and writes You know how to contact him or her Interaction without identity revealing – Can make us feel safer

© 2011 Cengage Learning Advantages to Meeting Someone Online You can do all of this for less than that it might cost for a typical first date “Hyperdating”: – refers to this accelerated development of online relationships

© 2011 Cengage Learning The “Language” of Online Relationships Abbreviated language – LOL, ASL, BRB, TTYL, FMTYEWTK – Shared meaning can be a challenge here Graphic accents – Emoticons (Ch. 7) ;-) :-/  – Articon (::{}::) =^.^= \m/ – Both of these add to the content and relational dimensions of a message

© 2011 Cengage Learning Communication Technology and Relational Maintenance Social networking: – refers to linking people or groups of people who share common interests – Includes Facebook, Twitter, Google +, etc. – Allow easy sharing of various communication: , IM, file sharing, blogs, etc. – 134 million unique Facebook profiles, second only to Google in traffic, projected 2015 revenue equal to MTV

Improving Online Communication Skills © 2011 Cengage Learning

Choices for Improving Online Communication Skills Sender skills for electronic messages – Be succinct when necessary – Write literally – Stay polite – Take a deep breath

© 2011 Cengage Learning Choices for Improving Online Communication Skills Receiver skills for electronic messages – Check in with the sender – Show empathy when possible – Listen beyond the words

© 2011 Cengage Learning Choices for Improving Online Communication Skills Sender AND receiver skills for electronic messages – Take responsibility for your own words – Build your dialogue – Recall the challenge of online communication