Module 8: Communication Concepts

Activity 8: Read “The Role of Information in National Development” by Wilbur Schramm.

Make a lists of five concepts that intrigue you the most. Search these topics in Google.

Here are the concepts I found interesting and intriguing

1.) Information Overload – today, tremendous amount of information is very much accessible. Like the computer memory, we only have a certain capacity of holding information. We should filter the information we access and absorb. For me, quality is more important than quantity. It is stressful to be overwhelmed with information even in our everyday lives.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_overload

According to wikipidia, Information overload (also known as infobesity or infoxication) refers to the difficulty a person can have understanding an issue and making decisions that can be caused by the presence of too much information.

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/01/21/overcoming-information-overload/

This article tries to give tips on how to overcome information overload. It says that availability of information is a good thing, but if not controlled, it also can overburden our brains.

2.) Dependency http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/social-media-dependency-has-become-mental-health-issue

Social media like Facebook does magic in reconnecting with long lost friends and relatives but as the cliché goes, too much is bad. There are other things to enjoy other than browsing the internet or checking on your virtual friends on line. Getting addicted to this form of media can be harmful if left out of control.

3.) Communication Breakdown http://translationjournal.net/journal/56breakdown.htm

Just like the example presented in our textbook, communication breakdown happens the real messages are not expressed properly or the people involved in the communication process get the wrong message

This article attempted to show how and when communication breakdowns happen and how to avoid them.

4.) Communication as temperature controlling agent

http://www.torbenrick.eu/blog/change-management/communication-is-paramount-when-it-comes-to-change-management/

When the announcement came that our company was merging with another company, employees had a lot of speculations, mostly negative ones. They worried about the security of their jobs, the possible changes in their job descriptions, will there be more benefits, will the changes be favorable, etc. The management launched an information drive of what was going to happen in the first 3 months, after a year, after two years. Keeping employees informed regularly has reduced the tension and made the transitions flow smoothly.

5.) Non Verbal Communication

http://www.andrews.edu/~tidwell/bsad560/NonVerbal.html

It is very important to learn and understand the different meanings of body language in different cultures. As the proverb goes “Actions speak louder than words.” A gesture maybe acceptable to one’s culture but can be offensive to others.