Of all the skills that we will develop in our lives, one will always remain at the core, and that is the skill of communication. Now we have communication technology that makes it easier for us to share information. It also allows us to understand it, use the knowledge to make better decisions, and solve problems. Earlier communication technology was limited to radio, television, and cell phones. But today, the list of communication technologies is endless. In this discussion, we will understand why communication technology is important and what are its types.
Why is communication technology important?
With the help of communication technology, we can connect with millions of users around the globe. The benefits are not confined to the telecommunication sector, instead, nearly every sector is getting immense benefits.
It has made it easier for people to access information and learn new things. Now, even the physical distance is not seen as a problem. The reason is that despite geographical boundaries, communication technology creates an equal distance among users. It keeps them updated about current affairs so that they can make better choices and improve their personal and professional lives.
We explained this in detail in our article on “modern technology and communication.”
What are the types of communication technology?
Our communication has improved significantly thanks to video conferencing, wearable technology, and many others in-between. Here are different types of communication technology along with their benefits.
Video conferencing
We are more connected globally than we ever were thanks to communication technology. Now, it’s common to see collaboration among customers, employees, and stakeholders from different locations. Our goal of effective communication is achieved using video conferencing.
In fact, these technologies are cost-effective, allowing information distribution on a wider scale. There is no need to travel to places when we can achieve the same results using video conferencing.
Lately, due to the pandemic outbreak, we have started to use video conferencing technologies such as Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, and Webex. It promotes collaboration along with providing benefits like saving time and travel expenses.
Additionally, it allowed businesses to build a remote workforce and maintain good communication. Finally, it represents a reliable communication technology, helping people build personal and professional relationships.
Benefits of Video Conferencing:
- Face-to-face communication.
- Multiple participants.
- Non-verbal cues visible.
- Saves travel time/cost.
- Enables live demonstrations.
Online forums
The online forum is a communication technology that increases our productivity. It provides a platform for the team members to come together and share their experiences. This encourages discussion in organizations.
In addition, the online forum allows the creation of groups based on different topics, making conversation interesting. We can use online panels to get instant responses, achieving our goal of improving communication. The statistics say that there is an increase in creativity when team members collaborate and share their knowledge and experience.
When we work on various tasks, we may come across concerns and get stuck. Usually, in these times, we seek support from our colleagues and seniors. However, they aren’t always available to assist us.
Therefore, it’s better to use online forums to get resolutions and proceed with the assignments. The process is quite simple as well. All you have to do is post your problem, and other participants of the forums will respond. The online forums provide active support and improve overall communication.
Benefits of Online Forums:
- Asynchronous discussions.
- Wide range of topics.
- Peer support/advice.
- In-depth conversations.
- Available 24/7, global access.
Social media
We live in a digital age, where most of them own social media accounts. When social media technology was still in the early stages, there was uncertainty about its future.
Today, it has become crystal clear that it can transform our interactions. In fact, businesses that do not use social media are left behind. This is why they are forced to increase their social media presence to create awareness about their brands and build a good customer base.
What makes social media technology so important is that it is not one-way communication. The customers get to explore different brands and choose the one that suits their personality and needs. It allows them to get a resolution for their queries.
A few of these social media platforms that are changing our lives are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp. In short, using social media we can communicate quickly and efficiently.
Benefits of Social Media:
- Global connection.
- Instant communication.
- News/content sharing.
- Business-customer interaction.
- Feedback and discussion platform.
Podcasts
The podcast is a time-efficient communication technology. It increases users’ productivity by allowing them to listen while simultaneously working on other tasks. And, they can listen to podcasts on the go. No doubt, we have other technology such as email for communication, but sometimes it’s better to opt for podcasts for direct communication.
Furthermore, the content can be personalized to engage the audience. You will find podcasts on most of the topics, allowing you to select the ones that pique your interest. It is also pocket-friendly, making it an effective medium of communication.
Benefits of Podcasts:
- Audio information/entertainment.
- Multitasking friendly.
- Wide topic variety.
- Anytime, anywhere access.
- Opportunity for niche conversations.
Wearable technology
We have come a long way from using telegrams to sending text messages for communication. We now have wearable technology that provides us convenience and simplifies our lives. These smart devices are connected to our cellphones, where we can simply give commands and our tasks will be completed in no time. Wearable technology in particular can be so advanced that we don’t have to talk; we can simply use gestures instead.
The wearable technology allows us to monitor our fitness levels, track locations, and check messages. It is also used in different sectors to improve communication. Take the healthcare sector for example, where wearable technology keeps patients engaged with their well-being.
It collects the data and informs the patients about their physical and psychological conditions. This information can also be shared with healthcare professionals, allowing them to provide personalized care and improved treatment.
Benefits of Wearable Technology:
- Real-time health tracking.
- Hands-free operation.
- Timely notifications.
- Personal safety features.
- Integrates with other tech devices.
Wrapping Up
We covered basic communication technology in this discussion, but there is more to it. Some other communication technologies are blogs, vlogs, live video, web chat, and automation. The purpose of designing these technologies is to improve our communication while boosting our productivity and saving time. Using communication technology, we have been able to save a lot of resources.
Now, we have more business opportunities. Finally, we have been able to eliminate the cultural gaps and easily communicate globally.