Chapter 2
Communicating in a Digital Age
CHAPTER OUTCOMES
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Describe the advances in digital technology that have changed communication
•
Define the characteristics that distinguish different forms of digital communication
○ Then and Now
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1970s – Vint Cerf and Robert Kahn led a group to develop a new protocol that would
connect computers and allow them to communicate with each other.
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1990s – Cerf and Kahn formed the Internet Society in 1992 with the mission to “promote
open development, evolution, and use of the internet for the benefit of people worldwide.”
appointments, finding a date, and learning more.
○ Ongoing Dynamic Changes
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Technology is always changing to meet the communication needs of its users and for
competition.
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Lee Rainie argues that we have had three digital revolutions: internet, mobile phone
© 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved.
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Qualities of Digital Channels explores the characteristics specific to digital communication,
including synchronicity, replicability, naturalness, and richness.
○ Some aspects of digital channels are similar to traditional formats of communication.
○ Synchronicity of Messages
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Effective communication must be a good fit between the channels we choose and our
communication needs. Synchronous and asynchronous channels of media both have
advantages. Evaluating the response rates and reasons can be evaluated by:
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Media synchronicity theory argues that some channels enable greater synchronicity: the
ability to communicate back-and-forth rapidly in a coordinated exchange of messages.
○ Media Richness and Naturalness
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We have learned to adapt our language style.
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We use the keyboard to clarify meaning, express emotion, and manage turn taking.
messaging). We can see who is calling, texting, emailing, or posting before we respond.
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The Power of the Crowd introduces students to new ways of connecting with others online
for a particular purpose. Crowdsourcing is reaching out to networks of individuals online to
solve a specific problem with information sharing. There are three main purposes for which
individuals may engage in crowdsourcing:
© 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved.
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Social capital is a valuable resource that comes from having connections and
relationships with people.
○ Social Causes involves crowdfunding, which raises awareness and financial assistance
for various social causes (e.g., GoFundMe, Kickstarter).
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Overcoming Digital Challenges explores various issues that some individuals experience with
digital communication channels. Some of your students may have experienced these
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Social media “trophy hunters” often miss life because of constantly trying to record live
moments. If we become driven to obtain “likes” and other forms of digital recognition, we
may benefit from taking a break from social media.
○ Cyber Attacks require awareness and prevention
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Phishing is an attempt to get information by using digital messaging that appears
1. What are some new technologies that might be part of the “internet of things”?
2. What is the latest social media platform? How has it evolved? What does it do for mediated
communication? Does it use social information processing theory?
3. What does “in the cloud” mean? Give some examples.
4. What did the military have to do with the inception of the internet?
5. What has changed about smartphones over the last year?
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What specifically has changed in communication functionality?
6. How has your smartphone helped you become a competent communicator?
7. How can digital communication become a distraction?
8. How does the media synchronicity theory play out in the real world?
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As an example of media synchronicity theory, discuss how group research projects could
benefit in different communication settings. For example, what would be the most effective
and appropriate way to share information between group members?
9. Give an example of both synchronous and asynchronous channels.
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Ask the class to compare and contrast synchronous and asynchronous channels.
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For what specific purposes are synchronous and asynchronous channels used?
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© 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved.
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Face-to-face communication, video chat, and telephone conferencing are synchronous.
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Texting, email, social media, and online discussion forums can be used as asynchronous
and synchronous channels (if used quickly).
10. What are some ways we use the keyboard to express emotions and make our intention clear?
1.
Social Media Fast
2.
Write a Microhistory
3.
Watch an episode of Halt and Catch Fire
After view an episode of the AMC series Halt and Catch Fire. Write a two-page response
1. Social Network Discussion
2.
Writing tools (paper and pencil or pen)
1.
Show the film clip in class.
3.
Ask each group to compose a list of reasons why they believe Facebook is still successful.
Each group should also cite specific changes in the social media platform.
Debriefing:
2. Distracted Note-Taker Discussion
Goal: To understand ethical use of digital communication
4.
Instruct students to read the “Evaluating Communication Ethics” box in the chapter.
6.
Ask each group to create a list of ways that smartphones, laptops, and tablets can be
7.
Begin a classroom discussion by asking the class to collaborate in order to draft a
crowdsourced classroom policy concerning the use of digital devices in class.
8.
Post the new crowdsourced classroom policy in class or online.
3. Steve Jobs at Stanford University
Goal: To recognize Jobs’s experiences as a computer pioneer and understand how it relates to
2.
Access to Wordle or a similar online word cloud tool
Directions:
2. While showing the Stanford University speech, ask students to briefly outline Jobs’s
main ideas.
4. Have students share their word cloud with the class in order to discuss one transformative
5. Post the transcript word cloud in class or online for all students to view and compare and
contrast it with their own word clouds.
4. Change the Climate
1. Writing tools (paper and pencil or pen)
3. Access to social media
1. Instruct students to create a campaign of positive posts on social media for the next three
days.
3. They are not to discuss politics.
5. Record comments on notepaper and bring to class. Note the amount of replies and who
made them.
Debriefing:
5. Crowdsourcing Curated Content
1. Laptop or mobile device for searching
3. Writing tools (paper and pencil or pen)
1. In groups of two or three, search the internet for:
2. Join a listserv or forum asking for information.
4. As a team, compile your lists using Google Docs, Evernote, or PB Wiki.
5. Work in class to create a curated list of what you learned from the crowdsourcing
platforms.
6. Off the Mobile Media Grid
2. “What about you? How attached are you to social media?” assessment in Chapter 2
3. Debriefing questions on a Power Point slide
Directions:
2. They can use computers or landlines to stay in contact with family, but not their cell
phones or tablets.
3. Students are not to use any mobile device for any reason for three days.
Debriefing:
Place students in groups of five. Write several questions on a PowerPoint slide about the
experience of being off of the mobile devices for three days. Questions might include:
• What did you learn about your dependence on mobile devices?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What was the purpose of the Internet Society?
2. How did social networking sites (SNS) change the way we communicate?
3. With two-thirds of adults owning a smartphone, they have become a pervasive part of life.
What can a smartphone do to enhance life?
4. How has Instagram changed since its inception?
5. How are successful inventions not just technology gimmickries? What do they do for people?
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6. What are the three digital revolutions, according to researcher Lee Rainie?
7. What are some examples that make up the “internet of things”? How are they changing
everyday life?
8. According to some media critics, what are some of the pitfalls of online social networks and
our social needs?
9. What is media synchronicity theory?
10. What is “phishing” and why should it concern you?
MEDIA
interesting look at the years between these two milestones.
Her (Warner Brothers, 2013)
micro-scale—interpersonal relationships with technology.
Jobs (NBC Universal, 2013)
This is the story of Steve Jobs’s ascension from college dropout into one of the most
immediate and more complex at the same time.