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