New Media Technologies: Communication Theories
COM 300
Kathy E. Gill11 April 2006
Agenda
Recap Last Week Characteristics of New Media Managing Overload Technology Adoption Lab
Recap Last Week
What is mediated communication? Differences between mass and new
media Gone: time, scarcity, space
Computer Mediated Communication (1/2)
1. Desktop computers used as tools to influence human cognition and convey messages among people (focuses on the technology, older definition)
2. Any form of communication between two or more individuals who interact and/or influence each other using social software on separate computers linked by a network (focuses on the people)
CMC (2/2)
CMC software has two categories: asynchronous and synchronous (Smith, 1994).
http://www.edb.utexas.edu/csclstudent/kim/text/ASCmC.html
Synchronous
Two or more group members have real-time (simultaneous) communication
Instant Messenging can be synchronous
Face-to-face meetings; video conference; other?
Asynchronous
Allows group members to work individually and “alone”
Provides time/space flexibility E-mail, BBs Example: virtual teams
Virtual Teams Types
Temporary (no common history or future) Permanent (common history and future)
Forms of Interaction Face-to-face (meetings, formal or informal) Electronically-mediated (phone, CMC,
videoconference) Context
Culture and geography may be similar or different
CMC/Web Characteristics (1/2)
Hardware independent Software independent
IM Not Here Yet, But Close (Google) Open standards Information sharing “Give back” (contribute) to the
community
Summary
Mass audience no longer From broadcast to narrowcast Time-shifting Accelerates a move foreshadowed by
niche publishing
New Media Characteristics
A blend of characteristics from “old” media Print Radio Film TV
New Media
Typically nonlinear Dynamic “Live” (maybe) Multi-media (visual, auditory) Relies on hypertext User controls pace and direction Transient audience
Source: http://www.mala.bc.ca/~soules/CMC290/290wk5.htm
One new technology
Hypertext
Presents information as linked nodes Breaks the linear narrative
Envisioned by Vannevar Bush (1945) Coined by Ted Nelson Apple : Hypercard Online (software) Help systems Tim Berners-Lee
Networks of Remediation (1/4)
“A medium is that which remediates” … and it is measured “against” other media (like we just did)
New media in turn change the “older” media TV … tickertape Print … adopting web design conventions
Networks of Remediation (2/4)
Economic success depends on supplanting a pre-existing medium Conflict: newspaper websites v paper Conflict: CDs v downloadable (sharable)
songs Hypermediacy
Survivor… The Apprentice… mediated or authentic?
Networks of Remediation (3/4)
How do we separate technology from its social use? Can we? Technological determinism : says
technology causes social change … Social determinism is the converse Corollary: “nature versus nurture” …
“'technology-push” v “demand-pull” Can new media technology offer us
transparent democracy? Howard Rheingold, John Perry Barrow
Networks of Remediation (4/4)
Postman: “the uses made of technology are largely determined by the structure of the technology itself” For example, arguably the underlying
Net Tech is ‘old’ (TCP/IP) and yet adoption has proved to be a function of ‘ease of use’ (new software) and social necessity (network effects)
Technology & Info Overload
Did “information overload” exist before new media technologies? Why or why not?
What are the characteristics of new media that have contributed to “information overload”?
Observations (yours!) (1/4) To effectively and confidently use the "Internet-
turned-Information-Superhighway" students/people need to be taught that it is a skill and not just a resource. – Tiana
While I would agree that a great deal of the information available to us these days is trivial, sensational and in many cases false, I would also say that finding good information is nowhere near as treacherous or convoluted as the articles would suggest. All it takes is a touch of skepticism and practice. – Theo
As Nelson says, “a person should know what tools are available and how to use them.” I definitely believe this is the key to managing the massive amounts of information out there. - Jessica
Observations (yours!) (2/4)
Is it really that hard to search for information on the Internet?... I have decided there could be two reasons why I don’t find it very hard to use search engines or the need for more understanding of Information Literacy. Maybe I just don’t conduct very complicated searches when I am using search engines or it could be that I am part of a generation that has been brought up using the Internet. - Meredith
While I understand why the authors are placing the value on information that is accurate and timely I seem to look at search engine benefits in terms of the fact that these search engines did not even exist when I was younger. - Christine
Observations (yours!) (3/4)
Too many times I have gone to individuals for information, and they were unable to assist me but pointed me to the internet. I remember a time when you could ask a question and get an answer, not a wild goose chase. – Laura
It also takes the www only one second to expand by seventeen pages. Thinking about the internet like these really made me think about how vast and dense the internet must be with information. – Mia
Observations (yours!) (4/4)
I agree that there is an information overload on the internet and users can become frustrated and experience anxiety, especially because so much of the information is actually advertising. – Holly
Fine and Newman point out two distinguishable types of information – “information” and “real need knowledge.” Majority of the time, I am specific in my search for information, thus I experience less of “information” but more of “real need knowledge.” - Grace
Quick Answers
How does Google do what it does? Is it possible that a substantial
information overload could "crash" or "freeze" the internet?
What is the role of Search Engine Optimization in controlling overload?
Discussion Technical solutions or human solutions?
Explain. Whose responsibility is it to filter, analyze,
judge credibility of information? Have digital media changed how we use/view gatekeepers?
Are we finding ourselves more willing to sacrifice accuracy and credibility of information in exchange for "instantaneous responses"? Explain.
Why Use a Technology? Cognitive Needs – Desire (demand) for information,
knowledge, understanding Affective Needs – Aesthetic, pleasurable, and
emotional experiences Personal Integrative Needs – Inner-directed, deal with
credibility, confidence, stability, and status Social Integrative Needs – Outer-directed,
strengthening relationships with family, friends, the world
Escapist Needs – Desire for tension release or diversion
- Katz, Gurevitch, and Haas
Diffusion Theory Rogers (1995) outlined four parts:
Innovation Social system Time Communications channels
And five steps: Knowledge Persuasion Decision (adopt or reject) Implementation Confirmation
Summary
We define (or frame) new media in comparison to old media
There is an intrinsic relationship between content and technology: both contribute to meaning
Churchill : “we shape our buildings and then our buildings shape us”
Empowerment means responsibility
Lab
Proposals – break into peer groups Feedback in person, online Discuss final proposal – due Friday via
eSubmit Next Assignment (distribute) Discussion Leaders
Process, expectations
Resources Effects of Four CMC Channels on Trust Glossary of Internet Terms Hypertext Terms (W3C) JCMC Patterns of Hypertext Semantic Web: Intro