DEFINITION OF ICT
Stands
for "Information and Communication Technologies." ICT refers to
technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. It
is similar to Information Technology (IT), but focuses primarily on
communication technologies. This includes the Internet, wireless networks, cell
phones, and other communication mediums.
In
the past few decades, information and communication technologies have provided
society with a vast array of new communication capabilities. For example, people
can communicate in real-time with others in different countries using
technologies such as instant messaging, voice over IP (VoIP), and
video-conferencing. Social networking websites like Facebook allow users from
all over the world to remain in contact and communicate on a regular basis.
Modern
information and communication technologies have created a "global
village," in which people can communicate with others across the world as
if they were living next door. For this reason, ICT is often studied in the
context of how modern communication technologies affect society.
Examples
of Different Forms of Technology-Mediated Communication
TECHNOLOGY AND SMALL
GROUPS
Recent advances in new
communication technologies are not only changing how small groups interact, but
are also redefining our notion of a small group. Although some organizations
have used technology such as telephones and videoconferencing for some time,
those communication tools are costly. New technologies, particularly the
Internet, allow for asynchronous and synchronous communication among small
group members at relatively low cost. These technologies are altering small
group membership, functions, and processes.
Research on Technology
and Small Group Communication
Most research on the use
of technology in small group work compares groups that use communication
technologies (such as discussion boards and videoconferencing) to those that
meet face-to-face. With the rapid changes in communication technology, many
problems associated with groups that do not meet face-to-face have been reduced
or eliminated. Still, groups that never meet face-to-face can encounter
difficult challenges. And yet, not meeting face-to-face also has its
advantages.
New communication
technologies can create new environments that produce more open, fluid, and
dynamic small group environments. For example, recent research suggests that
online discussions facilitate collaborative learning in the university
classroom. One study found that students who are actively engaged in online
discussion earned higher grades in large lecture class and felt that they
learned more than students who did not participate. New communication
technologies also have the potential to provide an avenue of participation for
historically disadvantaged and disenfranchised group members.
Yet, new communication
technologies can be costly, both in terms of time and money. Users who are
unfamiliar with the technology and communication etiquette can become
frustrated and discouraged. Computer software and hardware are expensive and need
regular upgrades to keep up with the ever-changing world of new technology.
GROUP OUTCOMES
Several studies have
found that groups interacting either synchronously (e.g., chat rooms, audio or
video-conferencing) or asynchronously (discussion boards, listservs) produced
higher quality decisions, unique solutions, and more creative ideas than
face-to-face groups. Listservs, discussion boards, and chat rooms in particular
tend to facilitate participation by all group members, thus improving their
yield of ideas. For example, with asynchronous communication (listservs and
discussion boards), group members have time to reflect on what others have
posted, and contemplate responses. Also, some software allows for anonymity in
computer- mediated interactions. Research in organizational decision making has
found that this anonymity can produce better contributions to group problem
solving and decision making.
However, other research
has found that face-to-face groups out-perform groups that meet via mediated
tools. Although mediated groups may develop a greater number of unique ideas,
the final product is not always better. Group members do not always use the
technology available, so the overall amount of interaction may be reduced. It
can be easier for group members to avoid participating and contributing their
fair share to task completion when group members do not meet face-to-face.
Group members can simply delete emails, avoid the discussion board, or fail to
attend a chat room meeting. The relative anonymity of mediated interactions can
reduce group member loyalty and motivation.
Still, a lot of research
has found no differences between face-to-face and mediated group decision
making. Brainstorming, achieving consensus, and producing a quality report can
be equally accomplished in both contexts.
GROUP PROCESSES
Several studies in the
organizational context have demonstrated that groups using new communication
technologies solve problems and reach decisions in significantly less time than
face-to-face groups. In addition, group member participation tends to be greater
and more equally distributed among members in mediated communication versus
face-to-face interaction. Also, it is much easier for one or two group members
to dominate the group in face-to-face discussion, whereas when communicating
using technology such as listservs and discussion boards, lengthy posts can
simply be deleted or ignored.
In contrast, studies
conducted in the laboratory (often using zero-history groups) found that
mediated group decision making is more time consuming and less satisfying than
face-to- face meetings. Group members become frustrated with response-time
delays when using asynchronous forms of communication. Mediated communication
is seen as less personal and more open to misunderstandings. The history that
organization members have is absent from laboratory groups. Thus, laboratory
groups lack the context that an organization provides and common understandings
associated with organizational practices and routines.
Technology Available for
Student Small Groups
Email
A number of online
service companies offer free email accounts. Yahoo, Hotmail, Juno, Linux
Freemail.com, and Mail.com are just a few. Although these services are free,
users do have to pay a price: they must view advertisements on nearly every
page. However, using a free email service can help small group members organize
their email by having a particular address dedicated to the group or the class,
such as jane_group1@freeemail.com.
Listservs
Listservs allow you to
send email to multiple people by entering a single address. Most listservs also
provide an archiving service as well as various options for structuring the
listserv (e.g., moderated or unmoderated). Several free listservs are available
for your use, such as Coollist, eGroups, and Topica. As with free email
accounts, these free listservs are also advertiser supported. Listservs have an
advantage over discussion boards and chat rooms in that email is delivered
directly to members' electronic mailboxes. However, one disadvantage is that
listserv email may get lost in all the other email group members receive
(that’s one reason why an email address dedicated to a class or work group is
useful).
Discussion Boards
Discussion boards are
asynchronous web-based tools that allow you to post messages and read what
others have posted. Lycos Clubs, Yahoo Clubs, Excite, and MSN Webcommunities
have discussion board and chat room functions. With discussion boards, users
have time to think about what to say, to compose, reflect, and edit their
postings, and the posted messages may be read at any time by other group
members. One advantage of discussion boards is that "threads" or
discussion topics are easier to follow than when emails are sent to group
members. In addition, because discussion boards are asynchronous, group members
do not need to meet at a specific time. However, one drawback is that group
members may neglect to visit the discussion board regularly.
Chat Rooms
Technically, chat rooms
are termed Internet Relay Chat (IRC). Chat rooms are Internet-based systems for
synchronous conversation in real time. Participants engage in text-based
interaction that resembles the immediacy of in-person face-to-face encounters.
Yahoo, eGroups, Excite, and @MyPlace.com all provide chat rooms. Most chat
services offer other functions as well, such as free email, webpages, and
discussion boards. Note that older computers can have trouble processing the
software necessary to participate in chat rooms. Online chatting requires that
participants respond immediately; they do not have much time to think about
what to say or how to say it. However, chat rooms allow group members to engage
in real-time discussion without needing to be in the same physical location.
The technology
revolution happened so fast that many people have never stopped to ponder just
how much of their communications depend on technology. People have “friends”
they’ve never met on social networking sites, and a whole generation is already
tired of cell phone calls and has given them up in favor of texting. Examine
the forms of technology-mediated communication that are essential to your small
business.
Email
You must answer your email or hire someone to do it for you. Email
has become a standard form of business communication, especially for short
messages that require action. This kind of technology-based communication
allows you to take care of a lot of customers, as well as partners and other
stakeholders without lengthy conversations. In fact, modern software allows you
to send the same email to all interested parties so that you can keep your
message, name and products in the forefront of their minds.
Texting
Texting has become the most personal form of business
communication. Whereas you might give your email address to many people, your
personal text number is reserved for a few close associates. Your
communications by text tend to be more urgent than email. If your business is
moving too slowly, you should examine whether you are taking full advantage of
texting.
Instant Messaging
Instant messaging through websites or instant-messaging
applications can contribute to the success of your negotiations. Instant
messaging tends to be for longer discussions than texting. You can engage
someone in another city, state or country in a conversation that can lead to a
lucrative business deal. The advantage of this electronic conversation is that
you can take time to think before you respond. In face-to-face conversations,
it can be difficult to pause long enough to gather your thoughts.
Social Networking
Social network sites such as Facebook and MySpace can be essential
to getting your message out. You will have to adjust your communication style
to a more informal approach. You gather “friends” on these sites. These are
places to do relationship marketing. Instead of sales pitches, place messages
on these sites that sound like you have a good deal for your friends.
Tweeting
The website Twitter allows you to broadcast very short messages
called “tweets” to people who have elected to follow your posts. This is not
the place for a long treatise. Instead, briefly refer to a new product, message
or development your company is excited about. This may not result in immediate
sales, but it will result in awareness of your company in the marketplace.
Blogs
The word “blog” is short for “web log.” These sites are often
written by amateurs, but getting a blogger to review a product or service can
be a good way to spread the word about your small business. Contact bloggers by
email, usually listed on their blogs, and ask them to take a look at your
product or service. You can spread the word informally and quickly through this
technology-based communication. Many companies, from sole proprietorships to
large corporations, have established their own blogs as a primary communication
channel to the public.
Video Conferencing
You can save travel money by using video-conferencing. If you and
another person both have cameras and the right software, you can see each other
and talk to each other on your computers. This gives you the face-to-face
meeting you need without having to be in the same location. When you want to
convey your message with physical gestures and facial expressions, this form of
technology can be an effective communication tool.
.jpg)