6.1. Communication and communication technology

Communication is the process of thinking, observing, understanding, analysing, sharing, and transmitting or transferring feelings to others through a variety of mediums in diverse settings.

Communication involves several stages that begin with thinking and observing, which lead to understanding and analyzing feelings or ideas. Once these thoughts are clarified, they are transmitted or shared with others through different means (like speaking, writing, etc.). The essence of communication is not just about sending information, but also ensuring that the intended message is understood correctly by the receiver.

Think about a time when you had to explain a concept to a friend. You first understood the concept yourself (thinking), then observed your friend's puzzled expression (observing), and finally shared your understanding (transmitting) to help them grasp the idea. This is a basic example of communication in action.

As the name suggests, the word communication stems from the Latin word communis meaning common.

The root of the word communication indicates an essence of sharing or making something common between people. This makes it clear that effective communication is about finding a mutual understanding, where both the sender and receiver are engaged in the process to ensure clarity.

Imagine two friends discussing a song. For them to enjoy it together, they need to agree on its meaning and feelings it evokes (common ground). If one friend hears the song differently, it can lead to confusion. This illustrates how important it is to share a ‘common’ understanding in communication.

Effective communication is a conscious effort in creating a shared understanding about the intended meaning of the message among people involved in the communication.

This definition emphasizes that communication requires intentional effort to ensure that both the sender and receiver share the same interpretation of the message. It's not enough just to speak; both parties need to engage and clarify any misunderstandings to arrive at shared knowledge or insights.

Consider a teacher explaining a math problem. The teacher presents the problem (message), and if the students do not understand, they will ask questions or seek clarification. The dialogue helps lead to a shared understanding of the solution, demonstrating the efforts involved in effective communication.

Communication can be classified based on the type of interaction, levels of communication, and means or modes of communication.

This classification indicates that communication can occur in different forms and settings. For instance, one-way communication may involve a speaker delivering a lecture without engaging with the audience, while two-way communication allows for dialogue. Different levels (such as intra-personal, inter-personal) and modes (verbal, non-verbal) further illustrate the complexity of communication.

Think of a classroom as a microcosm of society. When a teacher talks without inviting questions, it's one-way communication. But when students interact with the teacher and each other, exchanging ideas and thoughts, that's two-way communication, fostering a richer learning environment.

This refers to communicating with oneself. It is a form of mental process involving observing, analysing, and drawing conclusions about one’s own experiences.

Intra-personal communication occurs within our minds. It can involve self-reflection, daydreaming, or planning. This type of communication can shape our decisions and emotions. By analyzing our own thoughts and feelings, we can better understand ourselves and how we relate to others.

Consider a student preparing for an exam. They might think about the topics they need to study (self-assessment), reflect on past exam experiences (analysis), and create a study plan (planning). This internal dialogue is crucial for effective learning.

It refers to sharing of thoughts and ideas with one or more people in a face-to-face communication situation.

Inter-personal communication involves direct exchanges between individuals, which can be formal or informal. This is where all forms of non-verbal cues (like body language) come into play and enrich the communication process, leading to a better understanding.

Think of a conversation between friends discussing their plans for the weekend. They express thoughts verbally but also use gestures and facial expressions that convey emotions, enhancing the message beyond words.

Group communication involves direct interaction among multiple people, while mass communication reaches a large audience and typically utilizes media such as television and newspapers.

Group communication is usually characterized by a smaller number of participants who can interact directly, fostering participation and decision-making. In contrast, mass communication targets a broader audience and is often one-directional, like broadcasting a news report where feedback from the audience is less immediate.

When a football coach briefs the team before a match (group communication), it's interactive and aimed at achieving a common goal. However, a sports news segment on TV that discusses the game outcomes is an example of mass communication, which lacks direct interaction with the audience.

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