Communication Technology

The word ‘Communication’ came from the Latin word communicare, meaning ‘to share’.

The act of teaching and learning is also an act of sharing the content, skills and the attitudes.

Communication is a science, which is based on certain principles, which can be verified and used to make communication effective.

The technologies, such as computers, videotapes, video discs, tele-text, communication satellites and teleconferencing services have stepped in to improve the nature of Educational communication.

These technologies have made the teaching –learning process more lively and interactive.

Communication technology is a vitalarea of instruction. It is an instructional tool in modern education and its scope is increasing day by day and becoming the backbone of teaching.

 Education needs many improvements including improvements in the field of Communication Technology. Effective communication is really the dire (dreadful) need of the hour.

S.GEORGE: “Communication is the ability to transmit thoughts and ideas to others”.

Edgar Dale :- Communication as the sharing of ideas and feelings in a mood of mutuality.

Communication Definition

To answer the question, 'what is communication?', it appears that communication involves at least three things:

1.     intention

2.     agency

3.     recipiency

That is to say, someone (the agent) intentionally instigates a communicative behaviour, e.g. he or she speaks a message. However, on its own, this act is insufficient to be described as communicative. An act is only communicative if it is subsequently received by another person (the recipient). Typically, communicative acts are aimed at instituting some change in the recipient. For example, if I inform a stranger where I live then I intend to bring about a change in the stranger’s knowledge, and if I ask a child to be quiet I intend to change the child’s noisiness. In summary:

Communication is an intentional act performed by an agent for the purpose of causing some effect in a recipient.

Communication is a process whereby information is enclosed in a package and is channeled and imparted by a sender to a receiver via some medium. The receiver then decodes the message and gives the sender a feedback.

Effective communication involves the Speaker/Sender, the listener/Recipient, the Channel/medias and the Feedback/response.

Components:
1.Sender
2.Message
3.Medium
4.Receiver
5.Feed back

Functions of Communication

  Communication involves individual as well as collective activities of sharing ideas, facts, and information.

Thus communication performs various socio-psychological functions.

Mac-Bride (1980) have given some functions of communication in a social system.

a) Information

  Communication refers to collective storage and dissemination of information for wide utilization by people.

b) Socialization

  Communication helps in dissemination of information to individuals who get an opportunity to understand each other and appreciate others feelings, emotions, ideas and expectations in a social system.

c) Motivation

  Communication fosters the individuals and community intellectual development and helps one acquire the required skills and aptitude to become a productive member of the society.

d) Education

  Dissemination of information enhances the individual’s intellectual development and helps one acquire the required skills and aptitude to become a productive member of the society.

e) Entertainment

Communication helps in various activities like drama, dance, music, sports etc.

Different Media of Communication

  It is a well-known fact that a teacher who can communicate well is bound to get success in the teaching- learning process. But his success is quite dependent upon the success of the learner’s power of communication. In turn the success of the task or process of communication very much depends upon the appropriateness of the media of communication

•Audio Media

•Visual Media

•Audio-visual Media

•Multi-sensory Media

•Mass Media

•Multi-media 

Process of Communication

  Communication as a two–way process involving interaction between two or more persons (on giving and receiving ends) is carried out in a cycle as illustrated below.

There are six main components or elements in general in any process of communication.

1.The source of communication

2.Contents of communication or message

3.Media or Channel of communication

4.The Receiver of the communication

5.Response Material/ Feedback

6.Facilitators or Barriers of communication 

Theories or models of communication

•The basic communication theory indicates that there must be four elements-source, message, channel, and destination, in the communication process.

•Any communicator sends message through a channel to the process. In the technical jargon (language), the communicators known as the encoders, the message whether words, picture or signs is called symbol, the channel may be one of the media or means and the audience is called decoder. The diagram of this basic theory is as simple as this:

Wilbur schramm's circular diagram

According to him both the parties communicator as well as audience should play the ideal roles as senders and receivers. 

SMCR model by  David K. Berlo

•Another theory or model of communication is known as SMCR developed by David K. Berlo this model emphasizes the psychological nature of communication and provides as analysis of messages and of sensory channels of communication.

•

•In this model source is considered along with communication skills, attitudes, knowledge and socio cultural context. Message includes content treatment and code. channel consists of eyes, ears taste, nose and touch and receiver comprises communication skills, attitudes, knowledge and socio-cultural context.

•Berlo has rightly made it clear that encoding or decoding a message successfully will depend heavily on the communication skills, but the sender’s as well as the receiver’s attitude of the recipient is favorable towards the source, reception of the message will be different, if it is otherwise.

Similarly, knowledge and socio cultural background of the source as well as of the receiver are equally significant for successful transmission and reception of the message