Communication Methods and Technologies

?

Paper-Based

What is it? What do we mean by the method? Paper based communication is any information written typed out or drawn on paper. Written methods of communication include: written memos, reports and letters. Paper-based communication is a method which has documentary evidence.  Its purpose is to provide information within or between companies without the aid of computers or internet access, although documents that are typed up and printed out also count as paper-based.

Why/how do we use it? Within companies paper based communication is used when writing reports and documents, although a lot of this is done electronically in the 21st century paper-based communication is still needed in certain situations. Sometimes reports need to be printed out or written to meet legal requirements, or so a signature or stamp can be added to the document. Sometimes it is used because either the initial sender or the receiver does not have access to other forms of communication such as email or radio.

Advantages... There is no need for equipment, just paper and a pen. There is no need for access to the internet, or radio, or mobile phones. Signatures and stamps can be added.

Disadvantages...Printing out on paper and the delivery of the letter or report may be costly. It isn’t environmentally friendly because of the use of paper and delivery. There is risk of mistakes such as the quality of spelling grammar and handwriting may cause problems. Typed reports may include “typos” and other mistakes. Delivery can take up to a few days unlike email, radio and phone calls which are instant.

 

Screen Based

What is it? What do we mean by the method? Screen based communication is any information displayed on screen. It includes television screens, computer screens, mobile phone screens, music players with visual displays and cinema screens. The purpose of this method of communication is to communicate information and ideas, usually to many people at once, by showing them something on a screen.

Why/how do we use it? Screen based communication is used to communicate information to large amounts of people at once; it is used within companies to communicate to members of staff via their computer screens or during presentations of ideas and information. It is also used worldwide on our television screens, businesses and organisations communicate worldwide through advertisements on our television screens and on news channels and documentaries.

Advantages... It can be very useful in presentations to present information to many people at once. Also a lot of information can be communicated at once.

Disadvantages... The information cannot be edited or changed easily once it is being communicated. The information may only be displayed for a short amount of time and is hard to find again after.

 

SMS

What is it? What do we mean by the method? SMS stands for Short Messaging Services, which is the communication of alpha-numerical messages up to 160 characters long between mobile devices. Its purpose is to provide mobile communication without having

Comments

Mr A Gibson

Report

Covers the full range of communication methods relevant to A Level ICT and when used with the "Test yourself" feature a good reviewer of your knowledge.