Unit 2
- 1.1 Describe several communication techniques and explain their appropriate application
With the growing impact and importance of technology on our lives, communication between people has become quicker and far more efficient. There are now various methods to communicate with friends, collegues and family. I will detail some of them now.
Mobile Phones
Mobile Phones are probably the most widely used piece of technology for communicating with others. They allow you to talk, send texts, and send videos/multimedia messages to others almost instantly. However, mobile Phones, whilst being very handy, are a pretty impersonal (and often expensive) communication technique. For example they wouldn’t be suitable for long business meetings, or speaking to important people, as sometimes these things are better done in person. When I am late for work I can call my boss whilst on the move to let her know,
Email
Emails are also a widely used communication technique. Anyone can send an email, if they have an email account and a working computer. Emails are such a good way of communicating with others as they allow you to attach files from your computer, hence making it far easier to share documents than in the past. When I didn’t have a USB stick I found it an excellent method of sending myself documents that I knew I would later need. You can also send group emails between 2 or more people, which makes it great for planning group activities. For example, we were required to shoot a health and safety video in college. Taking into consideration that we only see each other once a week, sending group emails between us was an invaluable way of planning as we were able to allocate roles, exchange documents and finalize a plan without actually seeing each other.
Video Chat
Software such as Skype has made it possible to easily see the people you are talking with over the phone. By using computer webcams and microphones you can hold conversations between 2 or more people. Like emails, you can also transfer files and instant messages. In a way, it is the convergence of mobile phones and emails, all in one package. It also has a way of letting the person who you are talking to, witness what is on your own screen. This makes is brilliant for sharing text or videos that you cannot transfer to the person, for whatever reason. I use Skype often at work for keeping in touch with my boss when she’s out of the office. Due to Skype being available on smartphones and tablets, she can give me tasks whilst on the move, which I find very useful.
