Throughout recent years, technology has swept across human society, changing the ways people live their daily lives and even impacting the ways in which they build and maintain relationships. One aspect of relationships which has been dramatically impacted by technology is that of communication, both public and interpersonal. This has brought about many positive changes within human society, such as a speed and ease to sharing one's views. However, communicating through technology has also had negative effects on society. These negative effects reach from the individual to the global level. Through this post, I will firstly be exploring the relationship an individual can build with the public sphere through technology and secondly the changes causes by technological communication within personal relationship, and lastly the effects of technology on student communication.
Throughout history, bringing social change through one's own views was very difficult. The most obvious difference is that the views had to be spoken or handwritten, and could only be shared with those in one's own community. In today's modern computer age, any individual can reach the public sphere through just a click of the mouse. Through the internet, anyone is able to share their ideas concerning a subject with people far beyond their local community, even beyond their country. One-To-Many Communication This has led to the widespread sharing of ideas and thoughts. However, it is easy abuse this phenomenon. The spread of incorrect information and false statements is extremely common. Media such as blogs and social web pages have become a public forum in which people can instantly broadcast anything from their political opinions to their plans for the weekend. While this emerging relationship between the individual and the public seems the ideal means of communicating with like-minded readers, the sharing of personal information can have dangerous results, such as harassment and even violence. It is important to remain aware of the risks while enjoying idea sharing technology.
In addition to the creation of an unprecedented public relationship, technology has also revolutionized interpersonal communication within our closest relationships. The ways individuals communicate with their nearly everyone in their lives, including family members, friends and co-workers has evolved in accordance with new technologies available through equipment such as computers, cell phones and the internet. Through electronic mail and digital photography, relatives and friends can stay in touch across a great distance. However, solely communicating through technology can have negative effects on a relationship. While channels such as e-mail, text messaging and social web pages offer convenience in communication, they also remove the personal element of communicating with the people in one's life. Hearing the voice of a relative or looking into the face of a friend offers a deeper communication experience.
This is also true of communication in an academic setting. While technological channels make instructors more accessible to students, the personal relationship element is often removed. Teachers and students do not recognize one another beyond the computer screen. Students working together on projects and assignments loose the opportunity to share ideas in real time and physically create a finished product together. Student Communication Through Technology In the past, the school environment had often had a distinct sense of community. Communication through technology seems to be removed this aspect of comradery in educational settings. Despite the abundant positive results of technology in the classroom, education is becoming a less personal experience.
Technology has revolutionized the field of communication, offering a speed and ease which has never been possible throughout history. This allows people to share information and foster the conception of new ideas, to not loose contact with a relocated friend or relative, and to scholarly grow. However, the blessings of technology does not come without its risks and negative results. Through technology, people may be compromising not only their privacy but also their humanity. Only through a balance between electronic communication and traditional communication will mankind be able to build successful relationships and navigate this new age of technology.
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