How Does Technology Impact Communications?
To understand how technology impacts communication, we should start by considering how technology affects the clarity and depth of communication. With the proliferation of various communication platforms and mediums, is it possible that quality, deep communication gets lost in the noise? The sheer volume of online information can sometimes lead to confusion rather than clarity. Consider a scenario where a team is working on a project together. Instead of having a focused discussion or meeting where ideas can be thoroughly explored, and decisions can be made collectively, team members might find themselves juggling multiple communication channels simultaneously. They might receive conflicting information from different sources, miss important details buried in overflowing email threads, or struggle to keep track of decisions made during scattered virtual meetings. Individuals might need to adapt their communication styles to ensure they are understood amidst the noise of modern technology.
Technology has the potential to both distort and amplify communication. Communication distortion can happen through intentional means, such as filters, editing tools, and content curation, or subtle, unintentional means, such as reading a text message and inferring an emotion that was not intended. Technology can also amplify communication. For example, social media can artificially amplify certain voices over others. People can quickly become a resonating chamber by surrounding themselves with individuals with the same opinions and limiting those with alternate viewpoints. Amplification of communication can also be seen when individuals feel as though they are always connected and always “plugged in” with little escape from communication.
With the rise of online education platforms, remote learning tools, and digital collaboration software, educators must navigate new terrain in facilitating effective communication in virtual classrooms. As a virtual educator, it becomes challenging to “cut through the noise” with my students. My emails and announcements are easily lost in their overstuffed email accounts. When teaching synchronously, I must be very intentional in maintaining student engagement, fostering meaningful interactions, and assessing learning outcomes, as it is easy to disengage in remote learning.
Connectivist theories emphasize the importance of active learning and social interaction, which can be facilitated through technology-enabled collaborative tools. This semester, I adopted a platform called Socrative to help my students remain engaged. I use it to have them do classwork individually and in teams, as well as to give feedback about how they feel in the class, if they are confused, or if I am being too iterative. Technology can support and foster deep and meaningful communication. My UNT cohort is a great example. Through online courses and digital communication, I feel very connected to the other students in my cohort. I know more about their career goals, personal lives, and research interests than any other program I have been in, even though I am a distributed student.
In summary, technology's impact on communication is a double-edged sword. While it offers opportunities for connection and collaboration, it also introduces challenges such as information overload and communication distortion. In education, navigating virtual classrooms requires intentional efforts to maintain engagement and foster meaningful interactions. However, by leveraging technology wisely, we can enhance communication and promote deeper understanding in our increasingly digital world.
