As more and more technology emerges and enters our lives, the
communication associated with those technologies is also evolving. It is
important, as we study and improve our communication competencies to consider
the impact these evolving communication channels are having on the way we
communicate and our interpersonal connections with others. OMG! It’s not
just f2f anymore! As noted in the textbook and in many other sources, including
job applications, the ability to effectively communicate is essential and that
means understanding the changing “channels.” If you recall, a channel is a
pathway through which messages are conveyed; the means by which the message is
communicated, including face-to-face, telephone conversation, text messaging,
Facebook commenting, Tweeting, etc. Therefore, the purpose of this brief experiment is for you
to analyze how communication channels influence messages in your everyday
encounters and will help you to analyze your own communication behaviors,
modify and adapt as warranted to hopefully improve your interpersonal relationships.
Directions:
1. Chose two people with whom you have
interpersonal relationships. Rather than communicating with these people via
your usual technological methods (e.g. texting, emailing, calling, direct
messaging, etc.), create a hand-written note (e.g. thank you card, missing you
card, inspirational Post-it note, etc.) and mail it or post it somewhere that
they will receive it. (e.g. I sometimes put handwritten notes in my kids’ lunch
boxes!)
2. Respond to the following questions:
o What was the overall experience like? (i.e.
Was it difficult? Easy? Why or why not?)
o How did the message, emotional components, or
time investment change? Or did it?
o What specific feedback or “sense” did you get
from the receiver’s of your “changed channel messages”?
o What else did you observe or discover during
this process?
o How did “changing the channel” affect your
relationship? Or not?