The Importance of Communication

Communication is a very complex process and is a very important part of our everyday life. It is a never ending process and is constantly taking place. It is important for individuals to be able to communicate efficiently and effectively with one another. There are many ways to improve how we communicate with one another. Classes such as this one can help improve an individual’s way of communicating with others. Let’s discuss some reasons why I feel communication is important.

Communication is very important to everyone. One form of communication that occurs among individuals is known as interpersonal communication. Interpersonal communication is a term “reserved for two-person, face-to-face interaction and is often used interchangeably with the term dyadic communication” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 134). Being able to display good spoken language and listening skills is imperative when communicating with others.

The world is made up of many different individuals from many different countries and cultures. I believe it is important to learn about the correct ways to communicate with people from different backgrounds and how to avoid saying or doing something that might accidently offend them. Studying communication allows you to learn the skills to overcome barriers that prevent effective communication with others.

The way I communicate with others depends on how well I know them on a personal level. When I communicate with individuals I know really well I speak more freely and don’t worry about what I say. On the other hand, when I communicate with individuals I don’t really know I tend to avoid using language that may seem offensive or inappropriate to others. The social constructionist model “emphasizes that we should take responsibility for the things we talk about and the way we talk about them” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 30). It is important to use language that is clear and is easy for individuals to understand when you are communicating with them. This will help prevent any miscommunication that may occur and prevent any possible arguments from taking place.

Good listening skills are just as important to have as being able to display good language skills. Listening skills are very important when communicating with others. “Listening takes skill and mental effort” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 44). Many miscommunication problems that occur are the result from poor listening skills. Individuals who display good listening skills have better relationships with others.

 “Listening is more than just keeping quiet. Listening requires you to train your brain to focus on the speaker instead of on yourself or your surroundings” (Olsztynski, 2008). Whenever I am communicating with others I try to limit distractions and I give them my undivided attention. I make eye contact with them and I engage in conversation with them so they know I am listening. “According to the psychological  model, communication is unsuccessful whenever the meanings intended by the source differ from the meanings interpreted by the receiver” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 26). If I feel like I misunderstood something or didn’t hear them the first time I ask them to repeat themselves. By displaying good listening skills I am showing the person I am communicating with I value what they have to say.

Another important quality to have when communicating with others is the ability to display good relationship skills with others. According to Jan Maizler, relationship skills are the tools that build deep functional relationships (2011). In order to maintain good relationships with others it is important to be able to express how each other are feeling and to work out any conflicts that might occur. An important relationship skill to have is the tolerance for individual’s differences. “Any difference between two people is a potential for conflict. Conflict breaks out when needs negotiation fail and tolerance is absent” (Maizler, 2011). By displaying good spoken language skills and listening skills individuals can use these skills to help maintain good relationship skills.

Understanding communication can be very beneficial in one’s personal and professional life. Studying communication has given me the skills necessary to communicate better with others. When I communicate with others I try to avoid barriers that could prevent us from communicating effectively. I am more aware of others and how not everyone communicates in the same manner.

Communication can be defined in many different ways. According to our text book, communication is “the transmission of information, ideas, emotions, skills, etc., by the use of symbols—words, pictures, figures, graphs, etc” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 19). After reviewing the different definitions in our text I found this one to be the one I most agreed with. I believe communication can be found in many forms. When people communicate with each other it can be verbally, written, or even by the use of gestures. These different ways of communicating can help make communication more effective.

Each of us has our own traits and qualities that make us who we are. Some individuals share the same traits and qualities while others do not. The cognitive schemata model uses personal constructs which “are characteristics that we notice on a daily basis about others” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 49). When I judge others the personal constructs  I choose usually vary depending on the person. Stereotyping usually doesn’t play a role when I judge others. The constructs I choose are usually based on how I see that person and how they behave and interact with others.

Improving relationships require a lot of hard work and dedication. Relationships don’t happen as soon as you meet someone. When I first meet someone I am quiet and reserved. I choose what information I want that individual to know. Once I get to know that individual more I will open up and confide in them more. Once I have established a close relationship with that individual I am open to discuss anything and everything with them. I trust them and turn to them for advice and guidance.

Group communication can be very important. “Groups do not suddenly manifest themselves as well-integrated, fully-functioning and task-efficient teams” (Kernohan, 2011, p. 9). When you work in a group there are going to be individuals in it that have different qualities and work ethics. I believe I bring a lot of good qualities to the group that attribute to our success. I am dedicated and hard working. I am also punctual so the group can rely on me to be on time for meetings and accomplishing things before their deadlines. I am also smart and I have a lot of knowledge to bring to the group. I am friendly and I get along well with others and I think this is important and will help the morale in the group stay high and positive.

“The individuals take different roles within the group, that the individual chooses for himself or he is being chosen by the group” (Boteanu, 2010). I think I have certain roles I take while being part of a group. I usually don’t like to take charge and be the leader of the group. I rather help the group come up with ideas and research information. I also like to encourage everyone to participate and give their input about the information being presented.

Individuals can become very territorial when communicating with others. Everyone needs their own space and it is important to respect that. I am definitely a territorial person. I enjoy the company of others and socializing with them, but I also like the comfort of going home to where it is quiet and I can get away from everyone else. I don’t really like to be around large groups of people. I like my personal space and I much rather be around a smaller group made up of people I know. I think this has an effect on how I communicate with others and it is something I have had to learn to work on.

It is important to be able to communicate with your family. The pragmatic model of communication states “the best way to understand and improve communication is to describe the forms or patterns that the communication takes. If these patterns are destructive, then the players should be encouraged to find more productive ways of playing the communication game” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 34). My family and I communicate very well with one another. We listen to each other’s problems and help come up with ways to resolve the problem. We also communicate our wants and needs with each other. It is important for families to communicate with each other because it helps bring the members of the family closer together and limits the amount of arguments that could take place.

In order to be effective in an organization there are certain skills individuals must obtain and display. An individual would benefit most by having good work-content skills. Work-content skills are those “skills that are directly related to a particular job” (Trenholm, 2011, p. 213). It is important for individuals to have knowledge and some experience with the job they are doing or are trying to do. I have eight years of experience in my job and I know that I am very knowledgeable when it comes to my job. This makes me more qualified and marketable than someone who has just started working.

Our skills related to our personal attributes are also important to have. When working in an organization it is important to be able to communicate effectively with everyone. This helps prevent miscommunication and gets the job accomplished quicker. I also believe punctuality is important. I hate being late for anything and I always have to be early or on time for everything. When people see that I am a very punctual person it shows them that I am reliable and they can depend on me to be where I need to be and on time.

With our ever changing society technology continues to become more advanced and is seen more in the work place. I think it is important to have the basic skills to use some of today’s most common technology. I think it is definitely important to be familiar with the equipment you will be using and to know a little knowledge about how it works and why it is used. This will help get the job done more accurately and help prevent any mishaps from occurring. If I do not know how to use the equipment I work with in my job then I could cause damage to million dollar aircraft or worse someone could get hurt.

In conclusion, communication is a very complex process. It is never ending and is constantly taking place whether we realize it or not. There are several ways individuals can communicate with one another. It is important to study communication and to be able to understand how important effective communication is. The more knowledgeable you are about communication the better you will be at communicating with others effectively and efficiently.

References

Boteanu, M.. (2010). Communication and Social Environment. Revista de Asistenta Sociala,(1), 70-78. Retrieved August 5, 2011, from ProQuest Social Science Journals. (Document ID: 2027698121).

Kernohan, E. (2011). Group Communication- Working in teams. Retrieved August 4, 2011, from http://www.slideshare.net/hazelowendmc/group-communication-working-in-teams-by-elizabeth-kernohan.

Maizler, J. (2011). Relationship Skills. The Relationship Handbook. Retrieved July 23, 2011, from http://www.enotalone.com/article/2683.html.

        Olsztynski, J.. (2008, December). Master the Art of Listening. National Driller, 29(12), 16,18. Retrieved August 5, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry. (Document ID: 1602395761).

Trenholm, S. (2011). Thinking Through Communication: An Introduction to the Study of Human    Communication (6th Edition). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

The Effects of Using Humor and Persuasion

        
            Persuasion plays an important role when we communicate with others. Persuasion is an attempt to change someone’s view about something or someone. There are several tactics one can use to help them persuade someone into doing something they want that person to do. Humor is just one tool that can be used to persuade others. Using humor to persuade others can result in a positive or negative effect. Let’s take a closer look at the effectiveness of using humor in persuasion and the risks involved with using humor in persuasion.

Emotions play a critical role in persuasion. One emotion often used in persuasion is humor. Humor is a quality that causes amusement in individuals. People use humor to make others laugh. Laughing makes people happy and puts them in a good mood. This will cause people to see you as likeable person and they will be more comfortable in your presence. Humor can be used to help “gain you attention, rapidly create rapport and make you and your message more memorable” (eruptingmind, 2011). Humor can also help alleviate stress and tension among individuals. When individuals lower their guard around you they are more likely to be persuaded by you.

There are important factors to remember when using humor to persuade someone. Humor should be used to “ introduce, summarize or highlight certain key points to give them added impact in the listener’s mind” (eruptingmind, 2011). Use humor to state facts and try not to over use humor in your attempt to persuade them. If humor is overused people tend to resist it and find it irrelevant. People will also feel like you are trying to be funny on purpose and they will not take you seriously.

Humor can be just as dangerous as it can be good when it comes to persuasion. You must know when to use humor and you have to be careful what you say won’t offend anyone. You must also be aware of the fact that humor should not be used with certain topics of discussions. When trying to persuade someone while discussing controversial topics humor will definitely back fire on you. If you offend the person you are trying to persuade they could completely shut down and then you will not be able to get your point across to them. You will also be shining a negative light on yourself and any future attempts to persuade this person will be at risk for not being successful.

There are many theories associated with persuasion. One theory associated with persuasion is known as the Mere Exposure Theory. This theory works by individuals being exposed repeatedly to something. This repeated exposure increases their attraction and favorability towards that object (Seiter & Gass, p. 48). Humor can be very useful when an individual is using this type of persuasion theory. If the individual can successfully incorporate humor in their attempt to persuade someone then they will be able make the persuasion attempt memorable and that person they are trying to persuade will associate positive thoughts with that object. The next time they are exposed to that persuasion they will remember their last experience and will be more easily to persuade.

Another theory associated with persuasion is the Cognitive Dissonance Theory. This theory “postulates that holding dissonant cognitions (beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, etc.) is an aversive psychological state” (Seiter & Gass, p. 51). Humor can be used with this theory to help persuade an individual without offending them. The individual doing the persuading can create dissonance by using humor and increase the individual’s trust without unintentionally offending them.

The last theory we will discuss that is associated with persuasion is the Social Judgment Theory. The Social Judgment Theory “focuses on how people evaluate persuasive messages and how such evaluations affect whether or not persuasion occurs” (Seiter & Gass, p. 54). This theory requires a lot of work to persuade the individual to side with your argument. Using humor with this theory can have little or no influence on whether or not you will be able to persuade that person. When the person you are trying to persuade is adamant about their position you will have to work harder to persuade them. If you are able to use humor successfully with this theory you will be able to establish good rapport with that person and they will perceive you as a likeable person and would be more open to listening to what you have to say.

In conclusion, humor plays an important role when persuading someone to do something you want them to do. There is several persuasion theories used to persuade someone. Humor can be incorporated into these persuasion theories and may or may not help you persuade someone. Humor may help you persuade someone or back fire on you. The most important thing to remember when using humor is to know when to use it in your argument and when not to use it. If you are successful in using humor to persuade someone you will be able to establish good rapport with them and you will be liked and respected. People will want to hear more of what you have to say and will be more easily persuaded by you. If you use humor at an inappropriate time in your argument you could risk the possibility of offending the person you are trying to persuade. Knowing when and when not to use humor in persuasion will ensure you have greater success when it comes to persuading someone into doing something you want them to do.

References

Eruptingmind. (2011). How Mood Affects Persuasion. Retrieved January 7, 2011, from http://www.eruptingmind.com/how-mood-effects-persuasion/.

Seiter, J. S., & Gass, R. H. (2004). Perspectives on Persuasion, Social Influence, and  Compliance Gaining. Boston: Pearson Education.

Resolving Conflict Through Stages

A conflict occurs when two parties have differing views or opinions about an issue. Conflict will always be around and there is nothing anyone can do to put an end to it. However, there are certain strategies that can be used to help manage conflict. Let’s look at an example of how a conflicting issue goes through certain stages and how conflict can be viewed in a positive manner.

There are many ways to deal with conflict and choosing the best way to deal with it depends on the issue and the parties involved. The process view of conflict suggests that a successfully resolved conflict moves through a series of five stages and each stage has an effect on the next stage. The five stages in this process are the prelude to conflict, the triggering event, the initiation phase, the differentiation phase, and the resolution phase (Abigail & Cahn, p. 22). Let’s look at a conflict I experienced and discuss how my conflict moved through these stages.

The first stage in the process view is known as the prelude to conflict. This consists of variables making it possible for conflict to occur. In my situation, there were other people involved in my conflict. The main conflict was between me and my friend Rebecca. However, our friend Crystal played a key factor in our conflict. Crystal was always interested in knowing everything Rebecca and I were doing. She was the main cause of the triggering event. The triggering event occurs when one person identifies something they believe to be the start of the problem (Abigail & Cahn, p. 23). Crystal was the cause of the triggering event because she betrayed my friendship and trust. She was also going around telling Rebecca lies about me.

The third stage in the process view of conflict is known as the initiation phase. The initiation phase occurs when one person makes the other person aware a conflict exists between them. I wasn’t even aware there was a problem between me and Rebecca. I noticed something was wrong when she started to ignore me. I tried to confront her about it, but she would just say there wasn’t anything wrong and that things between us were alright even though I knew she wasn’t being honest.

 Rebecca was using the avoidance strategy to deal with our conflict. The avoidance strategy is used when “emotions are running high and time is needed to cool them down” (Miller & Stetson, 2011). As much as I wanted to discuss the conflict and figure out what was going on and how to resolve it, I found it best to wait for her to be at a point where she was ready to discuss it. One day she finally told me she was upset by something I had did and that she was going to need time to get over it. The strategy I was using was the accommodating strategy. By being accommodating I ignored my own goals and temporarily resolved the conflict by giving in to my friend (Johnson, 1990). Our friendship was more important to me than trying to resolve the conflict as quickly as possible. If time was what Rebecca needed then that was what I was going to give her.

This eventually brought us into the differentiation phase. The differentiation phase is when both parties involved in the conflict present both of their sides and go back and forth discussing the conflict at issue. For about a month and half, Rebecca and I talked almost daily about what was going on and how we were going to get passed this problem and move forward. At this point our husbands and friends could sense something was going on between the two of us. We tried to play it cool and act like nothing was wrong between us, but it was a lot harder than we thought it would be. We finally sat down and we both listened to each other tell their side of the story. When we discussed what was going on we found out that we had both been lied to and that neither one of us was actually responsible for anything. It turned out our “friend” Crystal had made up lies about me to Rebecca. Rebecca didn’t want to believe they were true, but was so upset by what she was told that she didn’t want to deal with it and figured if she ignored it the problem would eventually go away.

The final stage in the process is the resolution phase. This phase occurs when the individuals involved in the conflict agree to the outcome of the conflict resulting in a win-win situation for everyone (Abigail & Cahn, p. 24). After Rebecca and I had talked and found out we had been deceived we came to the agreement that we would never put our friendship in jeopardy like that again. If there was a problem we would bring it to the other one’s attention and we would resolve it right away.

Conflict will always be around and with the help of strategies we can learn to manage conflict more effectively. It is important to know the stages a conflicting issue goes through and how to resolve issues without making things worse. The type of strategy someone will use depends on the conflicting issue and the individuals involved. The key to resolving any conflict is to listen to each other’s side of the story and to not be disrespectful. It is important to remember conflict isn’t always bad. Rebecca and I have been talking and hanging out for two weeks now. I think our conflict has made our friendship stronger and we have learned a lot from this experience. We definitely have the tools to use to eliminate any future conflicts that might arise.

References

Abigail, R.A., & Cahn, D. D. (2011). Managing Conflict Through Communication. Boston: Pearson Education.

Johnson. (1990). Conflict Management Styles. Retrieved January 19, 2011, from http://webhome.idirect.com/~kehamilt/ipsyconf.html.

Miller, C., & Stetson, N. (2011). Managing conflict. Retrieved January 19, 2011, from http://www.slideshare.net/profjim/managing-conflict.

Delivering Bad News Successfully

         Communication is an important and never ending process. It is important to be aware of whom you will be communicating with and the necessary steps you will have to take to ensure you do not communicate in a way that might offend that person. Resolving conflicts with an individual will require a lot more patience and skills in order to be able to effectively communicate with them. Let’s take a look at an example of how delivering bad news can be accomplished effectively.

I am a department manager for a company that provides technology support services. One of my employees has been with the company for two years. This employee’s job performance is decreasing and I have been getting several complaints from other employees and customers. This employee has also been displaying confrontational behavior that has created a hostile work environment. I must now confront this employee and give them the ultimatum to change their behavior and work ethic or be dismissed from their position at the company.

There are several key things to remember when confronting someone to deliver bad news. One important thing to remember is to “be considerate when you deliver the news. Show that you are sympathetic. This will not only reflect professionalism, but also compassion” (eHow, 2012). I intend to approach this employee immediately. Delaying delivering the news will only make things worse. I plan to have a one-on-one meeting with the employee behind closed doors. I feel this will be more private and the employee will not have to worry about someone over hearing our conversation and being embarrassed or feeling like they are being ridiculed.

I would start off the meeting by discussing the positive contributions the employee has contributed to the company and how these positive effects have had an impact on the success of the company. I feel it is important to include positive things about the employee to show them they are worthy and that not all of their work or what they do is bad. It is also important to let them know that they shouldn’t take anything too personal and that honest feedback will help them improve in their weak areas and allow them to be able to grow and become more successful.

I will be honest with my employee and explain to them how their job performance and behavior is hurting the company. I would let them know they have to change their behavior and attitude or I will have to dismiss them from their position at the company. I anticipate this employee will become very hostile and defensive. No one wants to hear they are not up to par in accomplishing something and I am sure my employee is going to be very upset and hurt. I will listen to my employee’s perspective and hear what they have to say, but I will still stay firm to my ultimatum.

One important thing to remember about conflicts is that they should be resolved in a timely and effective manner. There are different ways a person can deal with handling conflict. I am going to deal with my employee and the issues that need to be resolved by using the collaborating approach. The collaborative approach allows each of us to be able to speak freely and listen to what each other has to say. It also allows us to understand each other’s point of view (studygs, 2012). I feel this approach will be the most beneficial and will help resolve the issues with my employee more effectively.

In conclusion, effectively managing conflict is a big part in communicating with others. In order to deliver bad news to someone it is important to be honest with them and to be considerate of their feelings. It is also important to ensure you are communicating with the individual in a way that they can understand and correctly interpret what you are trying to convey to them. This paper and other useful information about communicating effectively with others can be found on my blog at http://jodiehubbardcom480.blogspot.de/.

References

eHow. (2012). How to Deliver Bad News in a Business Setting. Retrieved on April 29, 2012, from http://www.ehow.com/how_2295524_deliver-bad-news-business-setting.html.

Studygs. (2012). Conflict Resolution. Retrieved on April 30, 2012, from http://www.studygs.net/conflres.htm.

Intercultural Communication

        Being in the military allows you the opportunity to work with many different individuals from numerous cultures. It also allows you the opportunity to be stationed in different countries. I am currently living in Germany. I have been here since May 2009 and will leave in May 2013.

        It was a huge adjustment when I first moved here. I didn’t know the language or customs so that made it awkward and difficult especially when looking for a house to rent. Most of the younger generations of Germans know English pretty well so communicating with them is a lot easier than older generations. Some older generations say they don’t know English, but do. However, they refuse to speak it.

       The majority of my neighbors are German and they speak either little or no German. Even though we don’t understand each other we still try to carry a conversation sometimes. Through the use of words we both kind of understand in each other’s language and symbols we are usually able to make out what the other is communicating.

      During the summer there is a type of plant that grows here and it is poisonous. If your skin comes into contact with it you will feel like your skin is on fire. We had heard of it before, but didn’t know what it looked like. One day my German neighbor was outside and started to try to tell us the stuff growing in our backyard was poisonous. Through his body language and gestures I was able to understand he was trying to tell us the plants growing were poisonous and to don’t let our children get near them.

     By communicating with each other even though we knew neither one of us knew the other’s language showed that we respected each other and took the time and initiative to still try to converse. The use of body language and gestures allows me to figure out what they are saying most of the time. There are times where I have no clue what they are saying, but we don’t let it interfere with us being polite and nice to each other. This follows some of the commandments listed in the article by Martin Hahn. Hahn’s tips to communicating effectively interculturally include being respectful and patient and persistent (2005). By using these tips it helps the communication process between my neighbor and I go smoothly and more effectively.

                                                 
References

Hahn, M. (2005). Ten Commandments of Intercultural Communication. Retrieved on April 26, 2012, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Ten-Commandments-of-Intercultural-Communication&id=120247.

Studying Communication

Communication is a never ending process and is constantly taking place. Good communication skills are a must have. People are willing to be more receptive towards you if you are able to communicate effectively and efficiently with them. There are many ways to improve how we communicate with one another. Classes such as this one can help improve an individual’s way of communicating with others. Let’s discuss some reasons why I feel communication is important.

My main motivation to study communication comes from the fact that I want to work in the media field. I know working in this type of atmosphere will require me to communicate with people all of the time. I think it is important to study communication and to learn about the different perspectives people have and to understand more on how people communicate with one another. I also believe it is important to learn about the correct ways to communicate with people from different backgrounds and how to avoid saying or doing something that might accidently offend them. Studying communication allows you to learn the skills to overcome barriers that prevent effective communication with others.

Understanding communication can be very beneficial. After studying communication I have been able to apply what I have learned to my professional and personal life. I have been able to communicate more effectively with the people I work with and it has made it easier to get what is required from them done. When communicating with others I try to remember to avoid the barriers that cause ineffective communication. I am more aware of others and how not everyone communicates in the same manner and I have been more tolerant of this fact and it has helped improve my communication with some people.

There are many definitions when it comes to the term communication. According to our text book, communication is “the transmission of information, ideas, emotions, skills, etc., by the use of symbols—words, pictures, figures, graphs, etc” (Trenholm, pg.3). After reviewing the different definitions in our text I found this one to be the one I most agreed with. I believe communication can be found in many forms. When people communicate with each other it can be verbally, written, or even by the use of gestures. These different ways of communicating can help make communication more effective. I am living in Germany and I don’t really know any German. I have come across several Germans who do not speak any English. When it comes to communicating with each other it can be very difficult. With the use of pictures and gestures these forms of communication have helped get the message across successfully even though we didn’t understand each other’s languages. This example here is the main reason I felt this definition was the right one to choose.

In conclusion, communication is an important part of life. Communication is constantly taking place and happens even when we don’t expect it to. It is important to study communication and to be able to understand how important effective communication is. The more knowledgeable you are about communication the better you will be at communicating with others effectively and efficiently.

References


Trenholm, S. (2011). Thinking Through Communication: An Introduction to the Study of Human    Communication (6th Edition). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

The Influence of Communication

Communication plays an important role in everyday life. Communication is a never ending process and can be delivered in many different forms. Your communication skills tell a lot about your personality and how well you get along with others. Good communication skills are a must have. However, for those that has trouble communicating with others there are ways to improve your communication skills. Let’s take a look at a few examples to prove the importance of good communication skills in everyday situations.

The impact of technology on communication has become an important factor in communicating with others. If you walk inside any building on my base you will be able to find at least five computers in each building. Everyone has access to these computers and has their own email account set up. There is also an instant messaging chat service used to communicate with individuals located on the base and other bases. The increasing use of email and instant messaging services has decreased the amount of face-to-face conversations. People find it easier and less time consuming to send an email rather than having to get up and leave their office to track down the person they are trying to get in touch with. This is especially true if the person they are trying to contact works in another building.

I find the use of email to be very beneficial in most cases. One of our computers at work disconnected from the printer line and now has no printing capabilities. One of my co-workers was using this computer and had some documents that needed to be printed out to be signed and then needed to be faxed to another agency on base. Instead of my co-worker and I having to log off and switch computers with each other she was able to email me her documents and I was able to print them out for her from my computer. Once her documents were printed she was able to sign them and then we used the scanner connected to the computer I was on to scan her documents. I was then able to send her documents as an attachment and email them back to her and she was able to email them to the agency requesting them. The computers we have at work are slow and take forever for you to log on and off so this process helped us save a lot of time and we were able to accomplish this within a few minutes.

The use of instant messaging services is also useful when communicating with others. I mostly use my instant messaging service to ask someone a quick question instead of calling them or having to walk over to the building they are located in. This help saves time and I can continue working on what I am doing while I am waiting for them to respond to my question. I have noticed sometimes people can get distracted by little questions and I know if I don’t see the person face-to-face than it helps me cut down on unnecessary time standing around talking about things that are not work related. I’m less likely to get distracted if I stay behind my desk and wait for them to respond through the instant messenger because I can stay on task while I’m waiting for their response.

Outdoor Media

The last type of media technology we will discuss is the use of outdoor media. Outdoor media consists of using billboards and fliers to relay their messages to their audience. The audience for this type of media depends on what is being advertised. Most information that is being advertised consists of advertisements for businesses and different consumer products.

The location of your billboards and fliers is important and critical in order for your information to be successfully obtained by your audience. Big cities are a good location for outdoor media because there is a large amount of people living and working within the city. By posting billboards and fliers in areas where you know people will be allows your information to be viewed. Many people use public transportation in big cities so a lot of times outdoor media can be found near these areas. Outdoor media can also be found in locations of cities where people frequent most often.

Cities that attract a lot of tourists use a lot of outdoor media. Cities like Las Vegas are surrounded by many different types of outdoor media. There are billboards and fliers on just about every corner and street. People stand in the middle of the sidewalk and hand out fliers and businesslike cards to spread their information to their audience. You can even find billboards and advertisements located on the sides of taxis and other vehicles. In Las Vegas there are trucks that have lighted billboards in their beds and the driver goes around the city driving back and forth to draw attention to their billboard to try to spread their message to their audience.

 This use of outdoor media is considered one of the least effective types to use because your message will only be received if your audience sees your billboards and fliers. That means people have to be in the area where your things are being advertised and they must be placed in a way they can be easily viewed. Placement is the key to the success of this type of media technology.

Print Media

Print media is another popular type of media technology. Print media has been out for several years and was very popular before radio and television media took over. Print media consists of using magazines and newspapers to relay messages. “Print was first used mainly by the church to reinforce and spread religious ideology through the publication of religious literature” (encyclopedia, 2010). Today many people use this type of media as a source to obtain information. The type of information obtained consists of various topics and in some cases a whole magazine or newspaper might be dedicated to one particular topic. The messages delivered by this type of media include local and worldwide news, news going on in the sports world, and information about different current events.

The use of magazines and newspapers are declining with the increasing use of the internet and with everything going digital. Although this is true, “many tech-savvy people prefer to read an actual newspaper or magazine as opposed to reading it online” (Stefano, 2008).

Electronic versions of magazines and newspapers can be found on the internet. Books are also a good example of print media. Books can be categorized in several different ways. Some books are for pure enjoyment and entertainment while others are used as educational resources and describe events that took place in the past. Today many books are being provided in an electronic format as well.

The increasing use of electronic versions of print media can be viewed as a threat. There are currently many people who prefer the use of electronic versions over print because the electronic versions can be easily obtained and are usually cheaper or even free. I believe over time the use of electronic versions will cause print media to cease to some degree.

References

Encyclopedia. (2012). Print Media. Retrieved on April 20, 2012 from http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/print+media.

Stefano, T. (2008). Print Media vs. E-Media: The Battle Is On. Retrieved on April 19, 2012 from http://www.technewsworld.com/story/publishing/64244.html.

Internet Media

Another important type of media technology used is the internet. The internet is the fastest growing type of media technology used and is growing more and more every day. The internet serves several purposes. The internet is popular among everyone especially younger and middle aged audiences and is one of the quickest ways to find out information and to pass on information.

A person can use the internet to find out information about numerous different topics and is used quite often when doing research. You can also use the internet to check out the weather and local news in your area or to even find out what news is going on in other parts of the country and world. Many people use the internet to help plan their vacations as well. People can even do banking online and can shop and purchase items online and then have them delivered straight to their home without ever stepping into the actual store.

The internet connects people together through the use of social networking sites like Facebook and Skype. Facebook allows individuals to connect with old friends and make new friends. It is a good way for people to stay in touch especially if they live in different states or countries from their friends or relatives. Skype also connects people by allowing them to chat with each other and view each other on webcams. This is a very nice tool to have when you are separated from those you love and want to be able to see them live in real time.

Broadcast Media

         The first type of media technology we will discuss is known as broadcast media. “The term broadcast media is really a broad range term that is used to describe a number of media outlets” (mbcnet, 2012). Broadcast media consists of using the television and radio to relay their messages to their audiences. Televisions and radios are available to numerous amounts of people throughout the world so this allows information to be passed on to large amounts of people in a short amount of time.

The use of the radio “remains the most powerful, and yet the cheapest, mass medium for reaching large numbers of people in isolated areas” (FAO, 2012). The radio is a great way to pass on information as it is happening. When the radio was first designed it was used to broadcast world events and stories that took place nationwide (mbcnet, 2012). Today the radio is used to broadcast events that take place locally.

The radio is also a good source used to listen to music. There are several radio stations that play a variety of different music genres. People can also listen to football and baseball games being commentated as they are being played live through the radio.

The television is another popular medium used to broadcast messages to a large audience. Televisions can be found in almost every home and most homes have more than one television. The use of the television allows people to view the news being broadcasted to them. The news can be viewed from a local television station or can be news viewed from around the world. Television allows us to see the effects of the news through visual images.

            
References

FAO. (2012). Communication approaches. Retrieved on April 19, 2012 from http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/X2550E/X2550e04.htm.

Mbcnet. (2012). Communication Connection. Retrieved on April 20, 2012 from http://www.mbcnet.org/category/radio.

Media Technologies

          There are many different types of media technologies available. The four media technologies I chose to discuss are broadcast media, print media, internet media, and outdoor media. Broadcast media consists of using the television and radio to relay their messages to their audiences. These types of media are most often used and can send information out to large amounts of people in a short amount of time. The use of the radio “remains the most powerful, and yet the cheapest, mass medium for reaching large numbers of people in isolated areas” (FAO, 2012). A lot of older individuals rely more on broadcast media as their main source for obtaining information.

        Print media consists of using magazines and newspapers. Many people use this type of media as a source to obtain information. The use of magazines and newspapers are declining with the increasing use of the internet and everything going digital. Although this is true, “many tech-savvy people prefer to read an actual newspaper or magazine as opposed to reading it online” (Stefano, 2008).

        The internet media is one of the main ways to relay messages to your audience. The internet is popular among everyone especially younger and middle aged audiences and is one of the quickest ways to find out information and to pass on information. A person can use the internet to find out information about numerous different topics. You can use the internet to check out the weather and local news in your area or to even find out what news is going on in other parts of the country and world.

        The use of social networking sites allows individuals to keep in touch with each other and relay messages and information that way. I must say I am not too big of a fan about this. I seem to find out things that happen back home through Facebook before I hear it from my family. My father had a heart attack a couple of days ago and before my Mother could even get a hold of me or my siblings to let us know someone had already posted about it on Facebook and that was how I had found out. Although it is a quick way to send out information it should still be used tactfully and in the right manner.

        The last type of media technology I chose is the use of outdoor media. Outdoor media consists of using billboards and fliers to relay their messages to their audience. The audience for this type of media depends on what is being advertised and the location of your billboards and fliers is important. This is one of the least effective types to use because your message will only be received if your audience sees your billboards and fliers. That means people have to be in the area where your things are being advertised and they must be placed in a way they can be easily viewed.

References

FAO. (2012). Communication approaches. Retrieved on April 19, 2012 from http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/X2550E/X2550e04.htm.

Stefano, T. (2008). Print Media vs. E-Media: The Battle Is On. Retrieved on April 19, 2012 from http://www.technewsworld.com/story/publishing/64244.html.

Communication is the Key to Success

Communication takes place on a daily basis and in various forms. One way communication takes place is through the use of blogs. There are a few key elements to remember about blogs. The main thing to remember is that they must serve a purpose in order to captivate your reader and keep their attention. “The biggest challenge is to get your target audience to read your blog” (Nobles, 2011). You want your readers to continue to come back to your blog on a regular basis. If you cannot keep your audience interested in it then it will lead to the failure of your blog.

“Defining the key demographics of your readers based on what your specific “niche” is will help set the tone for your future pieces” (Macale, 2011). The type of audience your blog will attract will be based upon what your blog is about. Once you have an idea of who your target audience will be you should write in the proper tone to address them.

The design and content of your blog is very important and helps your blog stand out. These two factors are important because they will help impact the attention your readers give your blog. If the design is nice and easy to follow and understand it will attract more readers. The content is also important. You don’t want to have too much content to where it is distracting, but at the same time you don’t want to have too little content.

Blogs are a nice way to communicate with your audience. It is important to remember who your target audience will be and to design your blog to meet the needs of your audience. Your audience’s first impression of your blog will be very important and will be a deciding factor determining whether or not they will be following your blog.

References

Macale, S. (2011). These tips will help define your blog’s target audience. Retrieved on April 16, 2012 from http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2011/09/19/these-tips-will-help-define-your-blogs-target-audience/.

Nobles, R. (2011). BLOGS WITH A PURPOSE. Retrieved on April 16, 2012 from http://www.searchengineworkshops.com/articles/blogs-purpose.html.

           

           My blog can be found at http://jodiehubbardcom480.blogspot.de/. I have never created a blog before and I have never really been interested in blogs before. When I first read we were going to be creating a blog I was not too thrilled. I feared creating a blog would be a long process that would be very time consuming and confusing.

           I already had an account for Google so all I had to do was log in and I went to the Google Blogger site. I have never heard of Google Blogger until this discussion forum. I was under the impression it would take forever to create a blog, but I was wrong. Creating a basic blog took about 5 minutes and was very easy to create. I think for my first blog the basic stuff will do for now. Once I get a little more familiar with the blog I intend to play around with things and add more to my blog to make it more interesting and more of my own.

          I think it is important for people to know what a blog is and why it is used. Once you have an understanding of a blog then you can use the Google Blogger or other bloggers to help you create your own blog. I think starting out with the basic blog will be good for first timers and then you can go from there to build on your experience with creating blogs. There are plenty of sites with useful information you can check out to help guide you in creating a nice professional looking blog.