Importance of Communication Technology

Communication technology is drastically altering the field of communication. With advances in email, instant messaging, chat and moderated forums, educators and students have increased options when it comes to learning and correspondence. Email and instant messaging have given students the ability to contact their instructors at any time to ask for information or guidance, allowing them to fully understand the materials and assignments they are working with. Websites, forums and message boards have transformed the classroom, allowing learning to take place online. This has extended learning opportunities to more remote and isolated areas, giving increased access to would be students.

Communication technology has become incredibly important for the world of business. Smart phones, internet work spaces and video conferencing has expanded the work place physically and length wise. Smart phones, such as Blackberry phones and iPhones, give business people the ability to call, text or email business associates any time from nearly any place.

Internet work spaces such as file sharing programs and collaborative message boards have given companies the ability to facilitate group work regardless of geographic location. Video conferencing has given businesses the opportunity to conduct meetings with people on opposite sides of the globe. The result of these advances have been an increase in productivity and a savings in transportation for both the company itself and the employee, making communication technology incredibly important to the world of business.

Communication technology is gaining in importance in the world of politics. A 24 hour news cycle and communication monitoring capacity contribute to this importance. First, the Internet has facilitated the creation of a 24-hour news service. Whether information is being communicated by reputable and recognizable news conglomerates or third party entities, news travels quickly, requiring politicians to respond to the public in an expedited fashion.

It also, theoretically, contributes to a more informed voting populous, making politicians more accountable for their actions. Second, communication monitoring is changing the way we protect homeland security. With the passing of the Patriot Act and the development of more sensitive communication monitoring technologies, the government is now able to pay closer attention to who is saying what to whom and when the conversation takes place. This allows them to screen more vigorously for potential threats, keeping the country safe.

Interpersonal interactions are becoming more and more dependent on communication technology. Cell phones and their texting abilities have spawned a generation that largely keeps in contact through short messages sent in real time. Internet social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter has made it easier for individuals to cultivate a particular image to project to the world, and for people to keep up on each other's lives. Video conferencing services such as Skype allow for loved ones to talk to and see each other over vast differences. In a fast paced society, these technologies make maintenance of networks, friendships and other relationships easier to navigate than ever.

When natural disasters strike, the ability to communicate with the outside world is critical to adequate responses. Advancing communication technology has played an integral role in facilitating those responses. Satellite phone technology has created a way to maintain communication with the outside world when other phone lines go down. The Internet has provided ways for aid organizations like the Red Cross to get information about relief efforts out to concerned citizens. Constant news coverage and dissemination of information pertaining to humanitarian crises has put pressure on governments to offer aid in these situations. The result of all of these communication technologies interacting with a humanitarian crisis is the delivery of more timely, pertinent aid to those who need it most.