1. advantages and disadvantages of principal communications Media
Module 2
Prepared by
Q Yeard’e

2. Communications Media 4 types Written Oral Visual
Computerised Telecommunications

3. Written Communication (WC)
Letter
Memorandum
Report
Abstract
Minutes
Article
Press release

4. WC advantages
Provides written record and evidence of dispatch and receipt;
capable of relaying complex ideas;
provides analysis, evaluation and summary;
disseminates information to dispersed receivers;
can confirm, interpret and clarify oral communications;
forms basis of contract or agreement.

5. WC disadvantages Can take time to produce, can be expensive;
communication tends to be more formal and distant;
can cause problems of interpretation;
instant feedback is not possible;
once dispatched - difficult to modify message;

6. WC disadvantages
does not allow for exchange of opinions views or attitudes except over period of time.

7. Oral communication Face-to-face conversation Interview, Meeting
Oral briefing,Public address
Oral presentation
Telephone call Conference
Training session
etc

8. OC advantages Direct medium of communication;
advantages of physical proximity and, usually, both sight and sound of sender and receiver;
allows for instant interchange of opinions views, attitudes — instantaneous feedback; easier to convince or persuade;

9. OC advantages cont’d
allows for contribution and participation from all present.

10. OC disadvantages More difficult to hold ground in face of opposition;
more difficult to control when a number of people take part;
lack of time to think things out —
quality of decision-making may be inferior;
often no written record of what has been said;

11. OC disadvantages
sometimes disputes result over what was agreed

12. Visual communication (VC)
Non-verbal communication — expression gestures posture
Diagram
Chart
Table
Graph
Photograph

13. VC
Film slide
Film
Video tape
Model
Mock-up

14. VC advantages Reinforces oral communication;
provides additional visual stimulus;
simplifies written or spoken word;
quantifies — provides ideas in number form;
provides simulations of situations
illustrates techniques and procedures
provides visual record.

15. VC disadvantages
May be difficult to interpret without reinforcing written or spoken word;
requires additional skills of comprehension and interpretation
can be costly and expensive in time to produce;
may be costly to disseminate or distribute
storage may be more expensive
does not always allow time for evaluation.

16. Computerised Telecommunications (CT)
Local/wide area networks
Fax
Telex
Packet switching
Teleconferencing
Computer conferencing/networking

17. CT advantages
Speed of transmission: WAN messages, London to Sydney, Australia in 11 seconds.

18. CT advantages
Versatility: Fax can transmit text, number, graphics, artwork and photographs all on one side of A4 if need be. Tele-and computer conferencing provide interpersonal exchanges visually and via VDU screens.

19. CT adv cont’d
Accuracy Instantaneous message-reading and checking of electronic circuits operating between sending and receiving equipment during the transmission of high-speed ‘bits’ of the message in packet­switching of computer data ensure the message is accurately received in remote locations.

20. CT advantages
Feedback/instantaneous exchange: Cómputerised telecommunications allow for a virtually simultaneous exchange of information and responses.

21. CT disadvantages
Volume of transmitted data: The volume of telecommunicated information is increasing at such a rate that business personnel are unable to absorb it within relevant time limits

22. CT disadvantages
Costs: Telecommunicated messages have billing premiums placed upon them to pay for the enormous development and hardware investments made nationally and internationally. However, the cost of fax, telex and communications modems etc is falling rapidly in an expanding market.

23. CT disad. cont’d
Legal implications: Words printed on paper at source still have a legal currency that a faxed message does not (but which telex does!).

24. CT disdvantages
Instant delivery: The almost instantaneous delivery of LAN/WAN messages etc can cause upsets if messages are composed in anger or are ‘half-baked’ and then dispatched irretrievably.