communication assignment

Communication and Media

 

With the emergence of modern technologies, flow of information has become easy and faster. Different mediums of communication have been invented thus making flow of information very easy. News story is a perfect example of media commonly used in the modern society. In the textbook Introduction to Communication, Boateng, Davis & Goldfarb argue that technological changes experienced in different parts of the world have changed the way people communicate (10). The authors of this text attempted to analyze various aspects of communication in the modern times. The text puts great emphasis on the functions of technologies and institution of communication, which include language, Internet and television. The authors suggest that these changes mediate human experience. In developed countries, almost all people use their mobile phones to communicate and to interact in their everyday life. The people communicating are virtually selves, but the medium of communication is very real. Technology has the ability to envelop parties communicating in a sphere of instant access and perpetual contact. Therefore, affecting all aspects of human life. Information technologies invade both the psyche and the home of the users. Somewhat, this has liberated people. Communicative forces occurring due to emerging information technologies are a subject of concern to people of all walks of life (Boateng, Davis & Goldfarb 16).

In the wake of information technologies, different stories about different issues have been published. News story is a common media used to enlighten people about what is happening around the world. As a media, the news story How Slang Affects Students in the Classroom by Ryan Lytle, discusses impacts of communication technologies on language. The central stage of the story is a classroom setting in developed countries with the students from different social backgrounds. The news story supports arguments by Boateng and colleagues (12) that communication technologies have affected the way people communicate and the language they used. Social media and television are means of communication available to most families in the modern times. Boateng et al. (14) examines how and where communication occurs. Lytle (1) attributes use of slang language in modern schools to the fact that young people are exposed to social media and television. The way young people communicate with each other through social media and text messaging becomes evident in the classrooms. For instance, high school students are victims of slang language such as IDK (I dont know, BTW (by the way) and SMH (shaking my head). This has affected writing abilities of students. Students are addicted to texting, tweeting, and communicating via Facebook. Boateng, Davis & Goldfarb (23), point out that communication technologies have contributed to various concerns in the field of communication. Communication technologies have significantly affected lives of many young people in most countries around the world. In the book, the authors discuss the role communication technologies, such as mobile phone, texting and emailing play in peoples everyday life.

Though there is little research on the impact of communication technologies on the users, Boateng and colleagues believe that this has influenced individuals interpretation and reflections of their responsibilities in everyday life. In the news story, the author reveals that communication technologies have led to irresolvable glitches in the modern society. This revelation is relevant to Boatengs suggestion that technology never goes without a hitch. It affects everyone and young people in high schools are no exception. In the news story, the author shows that more than 85 percent of students aged 13 to 18 use modern forms of electronic communication. This is due to the fact that most of these individuals grew up in technological era. As a result, these individuals use language shortcuts in school, and this has affected their academic performance (Boateng, Davis & Goldfarb 26).

The news story explicitly reveals how communication technologies have influenced the way people behave and relate in the modern days. Based on research in various disciplines, Boateng, Davis & Goldfarb (32) argue that communication technologies have mediated human experience. The news story by Lytle (1) reveals how communication technologies have changed culture and behavior of young people in the learning environment. In this digital age, communication and media industries have undergone drastic changes at an unprecedented pace. Some people may argue that the digital age is better than the Golden Age. However, this is not true as described in the news story. One of the discourse texts discussed by Boateng and colleagues in the textbook Introduction to Communication is that communication technology has led to erosion of traditional structures, systems and values which governed the behavior of people. Technological changes have propagated individualization, which has changed the nature interaction and day-to-day social behavior. Young people have devised new ways of being self through experimentation. In the ancient days, self was a rigid entity and interactions were similar from one society to another. Through communication technologies, people are free to do what interests them. The freedom to choose what one likes applies to almost all aspects of our life. The news story confirms the truth behind the discourse text. With the present of major social media devices, young students in high school have created a unique language, which is not familiar among the older people.

Boateng contends that communication technology has contributed significantly to fluidity of relationships. The old ways of living have been redefined and new forms of living are being reinvented every day. This situation is confirmed by the news story by Lytle (1). Learners have portrayed elements of self through social media and mobile phone. In most cases, this is not a true representation of the students. Notably, the same misrepresentations occur in teacher-student interaction. Communication technologies have enhanced use of unrecognized languages in school, and this has enabled young people to construct ethereal behavior (Boateng, Davis & Goldfarb 56). Many people agree that technology has affected individual performance in the working environment. Lytle (1) points out that students academic performance has declined drastically because of the slang language being used more often. Even though traditional roles and responsibilities of every individual in the society are clearly defined, information and communication technologies give young people latitude in social character. In the news story, it is reported that older teachers who are not familiar with the slang language are not happy. Almost 70 % of the students inadvertently use short forms of words when writing. Younger teachers, who understand the language, do not bother with them. This means that teachers themselves no longer deliver their services in an appropriate manner.

Another discourse text in the book Introduction to Communication is mobile communication. Mobile is undoubtedly an astounding explosion in the modern world. Statistically, more than 75 % of the 13-18 year olds cannot live without the mobile phone. Young people are the main consumers of classy phones. In China, one-child policy holds that young people should be allowed to use media technologies as a replacement for the lost extended family. Young people highly depend on mobile substantiates, which has a far-reaching effect on configuration of the self. Due to this trend, the following question arises: To what extent is communication technology incorporated into day-to-day life?

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Conclusion

Communication and media technologies have been completely incorporated into daily life. The discourse texts in the book have been supported by the news story. Communication technology has changed the peoples behavior, students academic performance, behavior and language. This is explicitly shown in the news story where young people in high school are reported to be using mobile phones and slang languages.

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