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Section Five

Assignment 5: Technologies

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Technologies

Dora Desiderio-Eaton

COMM 320: Craig A. DeLargeMBA, Design Management

March 4, 2011

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Technology and Communication

Technology has influenced and assisted my communication methods over the last decade in many unexpected ways.

My ability to communicate, both personally and professionally, is enhanced by text messaging, email, social and professional networking, locating family and friends on sites like Facebook and also by using the software, research and communication tools that are available to me through current technologies from multiple resources around the globe.

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Technology and SUCCESs (Heath)My ability to communicate effectively by using technology may be

expressed by using Heath’s SUCCESs model as described below:

Simple — find the core of any idea and create a prioritized yet, profound single statement. (Heath 16-18)

Technology has allowed me to express myself, in both words and pictures, in an instant. I am able to easily communicate a message, invitation or report and send it to my mass contact list virtually, within moments and easily attach a flow chart, document or memorandum, when required.

The simplicity of communicating my message to many friends or colleagues is astounding and correlates to the “Simple” in Heath’s SUCCESs model.

I can simply communicate my core idea and eradicate the majority of potential “noise” associated with my message, in many cases. This does, however, take some practice as the written word may be interpreted in many ways.

Over the last decade, I have witnessed technology gain momentum. Technology has become, in some respects, all encompassing and heavily relied upon in many areas of my personal and professional life.

Unexpected — grab people's attention by creating interest and curiosity gaps that can only be filled by exploring further. (Heath 16-18)

One aspect of technology that is both unexpected and priceless is its ability to be used to create endless “curiosity gaps”. (Heath 16-18)

The internet has changed my communication methods through the availability of easily accessible professional resources or .edu websites that provide best practices and well researched answers to my professional, and sometimes personal, challenges. I can always share more information, simply because more information is always readily available for me to share.

One factor in creating Unexpected (Heath 16-18) communications lies in my use of these resources effectively to design communications that invariably pique my listener’s interest and leave them wanting more information.

Technology constantly reinvent’s itself. This aspect of my personal and professional experience's with technology has been both exciting and, at times, a bit daunting.

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The evolution of technology…

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Technology and SUCCESs (Heath) continued…

Concrete — make sure an idea can be grasped and remembered later by using images that mean the same thing to each person in our audience.

Technology has enabled me to rely less on the spoken or written word. I am able to visually illustrate my message in a much more Concrete manner (Heath 16-18) using multiple media formats. I can add clip art, content – both audio and video, and express information entirely in picture or other non-verbal (Heath 16-18) methods.

The ease of expression of concrete notions is available to me know more than ever. Academically and professionally, I use presentations to display my message using signs and symbols that are universally agreed upon and understood.

The ideas that I need to share are quickly grasped using technology and in many cases, no further explanation is needed to convey the concrete message that I intended to share.

Credible — give an idea believability that relates to the individual’s sensibilities and experiences.

The Credibility of my message is reinforced with facts, figures and statistics that have been well researched and established by resources unavailable to me without the use of current technologies. (Heath 16-18)

I can share credible information that is cited, referenced and easily located for further scrutiny by the listener.

My credibility as a communicator is seen as stronger and more reliable. The reinforced belief in the factual content of the information that I communicate to my audience allows them to hear my message more easily.

In addition, they may confirm that the foundation that I am providing is accurate.

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Credible technology and other resources…

The advent of credible websites, often distinguished by the .edu domain name, has allowed me to communicate most effectively and in a SUCCESs-ful (Heath) manner by offering Concrete and Credible (Heath 16-18) information and resources that have been properly researched and well cited.

This technology offers an unlimited number of options for communication in both my personal and professional life. I am able to easily locate white pages, research, professional “best practices”, templates and almost any necessary information to SUCCES-fully (Heath 16-18) work in a fast-paced environment that demands the most current information and knowledge of applicable standards.

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Technology and SUCCESs continued…Emotional — help people see the importance of an idea by feeling something relevant to the situation as well as themselves.

I have used technology to search for Emotional (Heath 16-18) images personally in my volunteer work as the Vice President of Fundraising for Unite, Inc. Bereavement Support. The images that I can search and share seem unlimited and they are very helpful in creating and emotional appeal or connection when combined with our monthly or annual fundraising efforts.

Technology has assisted my efforts in creating relevance through emotions in this area more than any other to date.

Stories – allow us to rehash information or connect to the situation through sensory elements.

Technology has allowed me to connect Stories (Heath 16-18) to my own communication needs by correlating the information shared within the story to my message.

A professional example of my use of stories is in our campaign for drop-out prevention. I have searched our organizations local and international stories for successful outcomes that may be shared in my communications with funders and internal staff members alike.

The use of Stories (Heath 16-18) to rehash information and to connect my listener to other program participants has been SUCCESs-ful (Heath) in building morale and creating momentum in many of our programs.

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Technology impact’s on my personal communication…

Verbal impact:

Verbal cue's may be reinforced with readily available resources found on the internet that may offer credibility to the speaker.

Speaking guides and language assistance software and internet sites offering everything from pronunciation to translation assistance.

Non-verbal impact:

Lack of full attention such as eye contact, “active listening”, (Shell) appropriate response to verbal and non-verbal cue’s.

Assistance offered from software which helps to provide direction in written communications (i.e. – spell check, word count, formatting, MLA style guides, etc…)

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Augmented RealityAugmented Reality (reality augmented by technology with

communication tools built on the web and displayed through a “window”…in this case, the window being an iPhone). (Jarvis)

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Augmented Reality continued…

“Augmented reality (AR) is a term for a live direct or an indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input, such as sound or graphics.

It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is modified (possibly even diminished rather than augmented) by a computer.

As a result, the technology functions by enhancing one’s current perception of reality. By contrast, virtual reality replaces the real-world with a simulated one.” (Chen)

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Other Assistance Provided by Technology…Websites like MediaBuzz have assisted me in locating much needed resources

to pursue my education. This information is communicated to me with no effort on my part other than my initial acceptance to receive regular email updates and notifications.

“Education is more affordable when seeking financial resources that are easily located using simple search engine websites like

the one listed below:

Thousands in Scholarships& Hundreds of Degrees

MediaBuzz has located over $158,000 in new scholarships so you don't break the bank by going back to school. Get the information you need to find the right school and learn how to finance your

career-targeted education.” What Does It Take to Get a Scholarship?

Scholarship ChecklistSearch Scholarships”

(Media Buzz)

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Other Assistance Provided by Technology continued…

I have been able to complete classes online at both Villanova University and Philadelphia University. This method of communication is welcomed by me due to a busy professional and personal schedule.

Overall, the courses make good use of many elements of Heath’s SUCCESs model.

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Reference Page

Heath, Chip, and Dan Heath. "What Sticks?" Introduction. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die. New York: Random House, 2007. 16-18. Print.

Technology types: Image Source Page: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/t3frKu3MCVauz6sWplPutw

Technology evolution: Image Source Page: http://encefalus.com/cognitive/dealing-informational-overflow/

Technology anywhere: Image Source Page: http://www.majoreventsint.com/pub/news.php?mscID=245

http: Image Source Page: http://www.cobrapitstop.com/photos.html

Wikipedia Image Source Page: http://www.debateitout.com/is-wikipedia-a-reliable-source-for-credible-information.html

Credible technology sites: Image Source Page: http://founderstech.wikispaces.com/

G. Richard Shell and Mario Moussa. The Art of WOO: Using Strategic Persuasion to Sell Your Ideas. (PORTFOLIO/PENGUIN) http://www.theartofwoo.com/documents/ArtofWoo_Ch1.pdf

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Reference page continued…

Image Source Page: http://helpingpsychology.com/communication-technology-may-lead-to-disconnection

Technology chart: Image Source Page: http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/tech/imym/6/student/ict_map.html

Augmented Reality (AR): Image Source Page: http://www.zonkio.com/augmented-reality-technology-and-communication_1700.html

Jarvis, Yates. Augmented Reality Technology and Communication. 10 July 2009 zonkio Magazine. http://www.zonkio.com/augmented-reality-technology-and-communication_1700.html

Chen, Brian X. (2009-08-25). "If You’re Not Seeing Data, You’re Not Seeing". Wired Magazine. http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/tag/augmented-reality/. Retrieved 2009-08-26.

Media Buzz Image Source : spotlight@m.mediabuzz.monster.com

History of on-line education: Image Source Page: http://www.onlinecolleges.net/2010/01/26/the-history-of-online-education/

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Reflection: Technology

Written Assignment #5 Reflections: