Communication Refers to the Transfer of Information - Essay Example

?Comparison Communication refers to the transfer of information from one party to another. Such a transfer may be in one direction or may be dual directional to accommodate the recipient’s feedback. Similarly, communication can be either-in person or electronic. An in-person communication involves a direct communication from one person to another while electronic communication involves application of computer-based devices to facilitate communication. This paper compares in-person communication and electronic communication. Similarities Irrespective of whether communication is in-person or electronic, it consists of some basic elements that ensure the transfer of information. Both in-person and electronic communication therefore follows an outline, with specific elements of the communication process. The first element is the piece of information to be transferred as it forms the basis of communication. Further, there must be a sender. This party has the piece of information and wishes to transfer it to another party. The sender then uses an encoding process to disseminate the message in a form that can be understood by the receiver. The encoded information is then transmitted from the sender’s location to the recipient’s location. Once the receiver gets the information in its encoded form, he or she decodes the message into an understanding that generates reaction to the received message. Such a reaction facilitates a response to the sender to complete the communication process. The communication process, whether in in-person or electronic is also subject to noise in the transmission channel that develops barriers between the sender and the receiver. Electronic communication also has variety of features that corresponds to those of the different types of in-person communication. This is because it incorporates a majority of characteristics of in person communication elements. Electronic communication is for instance interactive through instant applications such as chats, voice calls, and video conferencing. In chats, for instance, a person is able to send a text message to another party and elicit a direct and immediate response for further communication. This corresponds to in-person communication through text message in which a sender uses a mobile phone to send a message to a recipient. Incorporated voice applications have also been developed to allow for electronic voice communication. An example is using ‘skype’. This approach corresponds to a number of voice based in-person communication approaches with particular similarity to telephone and mobile phone calls. In both cases, the sender disseminates information and receives an immediate response through a dual line oral communication. Similarly, application of audio visual devices to electronic communication has establish its similarity to the interactive face to face in-person communication in which parties to a communication both hear and see one another during a communication process. The similarity compares meeting based communication in face-to-face communication to video conferencing in electronic communication. Both of the approaches offer an interactive forum in which parties to the communication can be organized into a discussion forum. These features identify electronic communication as a comprehensive approach that combines different features of in-person communication towards application of a multipurpose communication method that can fit into different applications. Electronic communication and in-person communication also share a similarity in their ability to promote teamwork among members of a group. Based on the common features in both methods of communication, they link group members towards interpersonal communication and even interactions. As a result, they both develop interpersonal bonds and understanding that facilitates cohesion. This leads to focus on goals and a resultant corporation towards building teamwork. The features and functionalities of in-person communication and electronic communication also identify a number of similarities with electronic communication exhibiting a number of advantages of each of the different forms of in-person communication. Electronic communication for instance has the advantage of fast delivery of information, as it is instant. This is because the recipient is able to receive the sent information immediately the sender disseminates it. This, for example, corresponds to the text message form of in-person communication in which the text is instantly delivered to the recipient. The electronic form of communication is also able to store its communication if transferred a in written form. This facilitates references and proof of communication that is also achieved by written based communication in in-person communication. This similarity has allowed for application of electronic communication in official transfer of information due to its admissibility as legal evidence of communication between parties and proof of transactions. Differences The two forms of communication also differ in a number of ways. While electronic communication is associated with computer based applications, in-person communication approach does not necessarily rely on computerized systems. Sending of text messages or calling in in-person communication may for example require just a simple phone. The two approaches also vary in their involved barriers and threats to the communication process. Electronic communication is for example susceptible to software-based threats such as hacking and viruses that are not applicable to in-person communication. This is because the in-person approaches such as telephone or cell calls, mobile phone texting, and face-to-face communications are not vulnerable to viruses. Another difference between electronic communication and in-person communication is the associated geographical barriers with the two methods. While in-person communication is subject to geographical based barriers, electronic communication is free from such limitations. One of the geographical barriers that differentiate the two communication methods is the cost of communication across international borders. Involved costs of in-person communication such as in sending text messages or in making calls to recipients in foreign countries is considerably expensive, even relative to communication with domestic recipients. The cost of electronic communication is however constant across international borders. In-person communication is also subject to domestic laws and regulations as opposed to electronic communication that has been tricky to regulate. The level of independence, of electronic communication, from rules is for example identifiable by the fact that cyber crimes are common but goes unprosecuted and unregulated. Regulating electronic communication is also difficult because of existence of different laws in different countries and the relative invisibility of the communicating parties. An act may for example be legal in one country and illegal in another and this conflict hinders administration of justice in international based electronic communication crimes. Conclusion Communication, the transfer of information from one party to another, can be achieved through a number of avenues. Electronic communication and in-person communication are examples. The two approaches to communication however have a number of similarities and differences in their features and functionality. Read More