DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNICATION
Communication is the passing of a message from one point to another.
Traditional forms of communication
1. Verbal / language. 2. Gesture-on body. 3. Signals- e.g. bananas.
1. Fire and smoke.5. Drum beats.6. Messengers / runners.
1. Horn blowing. 8. Screams and cries.10. Bells. 11. Flags.
9. Whistles. 12. Semaphore (Towers on hilltops with movable arms).
1. Written (scrolls and tablets). 14. Birds
Disadvantages of fire.
Smoke signals could be easily misinterpreted.
1. Its effectiveness depends on weather.
2. The message could be missed if there was no one on the lookout.
3. It can only be used to cover a short distance.
4. The range of message conveyed was limited.
5. It is affected by terrain.
6. It cannot be used to convey confidential messages.
Advantages of traditional forms of communication.
1. They were visible, faster and [Link] Fire and smock.
2. Some of them could overcome the odds of weather e.g. Drum beats.
3. Some were very specific in sending the messages e.g. Selective drumming.
4. Some could give a feedback e.g. Messengers.
5. Some could also explain certain issues e.g. Messengers.
6. Some could keep the message confidential to their community as the outsiders could not
understand their language e.g. Messengers.
7. Some could be used to convey relayed messages e.g. Drum beats and trumpet.
8. Some could be used at any time of the day e.g. Drum beats and trumpets.
Disadvantages
1. Some could be misinterpreted e.g. Gestures.
2. Some could only be used to pass a message to shorter distances e.g. Fire & smock, &
messengers.
[Link] range of messages conveyed was limited e.g. Smoke and fire.
[Link] were restricted to certain weather conditions, like Fire and Smoke.
[Link] were environmental unfriendly, thus they destroyed wildlife e.g. Fire and smoke.
[Link] were slow e.g. Messengers. Some were unreliable e.g. birds.
7. Some could distort the message e.g. Messengers.
8. Some involved dangers e.g. Messenger could be attacked on way.
Disadvantages of horn blowing as a means of communication.
1. They were not effective in mountainous regions.
2. Strong winds affected the message.
3. It was limited to those who could hear.
4. It required skilled persons.
5. Misinterpretation of the message could occur.
6. It was not sensitive to confidentiality.
7. It could not cover a wide range.
Types of messages that could be sent by use of drum beats.
1.
Announcement of ceremonies or festivals.
2.
Death or mourning
3.
Declaration of war.
4.
Arrival of stranger.
5.
Impending danger.
WRITTEN MESSAGES
Early writing was done on scroll and stone tablets.
The earliest forms writing were pictographic (symbols for objects) idea graphic (symbols for
ideas) example- cuneiform by Sumerians and hieroglyphics by Egyptians.
Advantages
They could be stored for future use.
1. They conveyed accurate messages.
2. They could be translated into many languages for easier understanding by many people.
3. They provided reliable information since it could not be forgotten.
Factors to consider when sending a message.
1. The urgency / Time / Speed.
2. The clarity / Complexity / Simplicity.
3. The distance between the sender and the receiver.
4. Availability of facilities / Method / Means.
5. The confidentiality of the message.
6. The cost of the means to be used.
Modern means of Communication.
1. Telephone / cell phone. 2. Email. 3. Radio. 4. Pager. 5. TV.
6. Telegraph. 7. Internet.8. Satellite 9. Fax. 10. Telex
1. Print media e.g. Newspapers, interest newspapers, magazines, periodicals (at regular
intervals).
Modern means of print media.
1. Newspapers.
2. Magazines.
3. Journals.
4. Periodicals.
5. Books.
6. Pamphlets.
7. Posters.
8. Braille.
9. Brochures.
Advantages
1. Some are potable e.g. Cell phone.
2. Some convey Picture message, thus more of reality e.g. TV.
3. Some convey live messages e.g. TV.
4. Some are entertaining e.g. Radio.
5. They are educative e.g. TV, radio, internet.
6. One can serve many e.g. TV, Radio.
Disadvantages
1. They have a short life span.
2. They are not easily available.
3. They can be used as tool for propaganda.
4. They can give misleading information or adverts.
5. They are costly as compared to the traditional means.
6. They promote social crime eg fraud, drug abuse and terrorism.
7. They pollute the environment.
8. They have poor reception network / frequency.
9. They can’t be used without source of power.
10. They cause radio-activity, hence harmful to health.
11. They have eroded cultural values / contain / caused deviant behavior / Pornography.
Telegraph - use of radio signals or coded electrical signals.
- Dots and dashes are used to represent numbers, letters, and punctuations.
Facsimile trans receiver (fax)
- It transmits text, not sound
- It can also transmit images or copies plus pictures, photos etc.
Telex -Point to point system that uses keyboard to transmit typed text over telephone
lines at individual company locations.
Satellite - Artificial device going round the earth, moon and other planet, transmitting back to
the earth scientific information
pager - It uses a phone to call the pager number.
- The person then dials the number of voice message, and within moments, the pager
carriers alerted by an audible “beep” or silent vibration. His no can be read on the
screen.
Impact of telecommunication.
1. Communication has been greatly changed for the better.
2. Management for the information has been enhanced.
3. It has provided entertainment.
4. It helps to bring reality to viewers.
5. It has promoted cultural exchange and understanding.
6. It has promoted air and water transport.
7. Trade and business has been enhanced.
8. It has made access to information easy.
9. Security systems have been improved.
10. Promoted air/space exploration.
11. It has also provided and facilitated employment.
12. It has promoted economic development.
13. Lives have been saved.
14. It has facilitated storage of information more conveniently through the use of computer
system.
15. It has promoted fast transmission of ideas.
16. It has facilitated the duty of weather forecasting.
Negative
It has promoted international social crime.