The Importance Of Virtual Communication

With the advent of computers and related technologies of communication, the nature of communication has changed drastically. There are some positive highlights to this change as well as negative highlights to this change based on my experience. In my younger years, the only form of communication was one on one communication or writing through snail mail. However, this is not the case today. Today, I make use of emails, social media, and other chatting forums to communicate both professionally and personally to family, friends, and relatives. I have found this change to have its advantages as well as disadvantages. In this paper, I will discuss how computer-mediated communication has aided my communication as well as how it compares to the type of communication that was available during my younger years. In addition, I will give a comparison between computer-mediated communication and person-to-person communication.

Communications through virtual methods are being used more each year. Knowledge sharing (information sharing) through virtual applications is becoming the modern way of doing things. Communication through virtual applications not only transpires between collaborative team members; however, information is also being shared with the manufacture of the software. Organizations are more flexible because the virtual environment allow teams to communicate effective and more efficiently. Virtual interaction in a collaborative team atmosphere saves the organization time and money. It enables members to exchange or share thoughts, ideas, beliefs in an open communication approach while working towards a common goal.

(2016). Understanding the influence of social media on people’s life satisfaction through two competing explanatory mechanisms. Aslib Journal of Information Management, 68(3).

The epitome of a Good Life is the strong relationships humans are able to construct over time, but this can be affected by social media. Even though it connects individuals around the globe, social media can have a devastating effect on the establishment of communication in solid relationships. In Robert Waldinger’s “What makes a Good Life,” TED talk, he believes strong relationships are the framework of achieving a good life. Dr. Waldinger debates that the development of inter-social relationships could highly influence our life in a healthy manner, more than wealth and career success could. The need for relationships is seen through: (a) the Harvard Study, and (b) a healthy lifestyle. Clive Thompson’s article, “A Brave New World: I’m so Totally Digitally Close to You,” discusses how social media has revolutionized the way our community interacts. Instead of having one-to-one interaction with someone in person, now with just a “tweet” or “DM” a person easily contacts another person. He argues that the advancements of technology have led to our society developing an endless addiction to

Social media has connected us in unimaginable ways, and introduced us to a world much larger than our humble backyards. Nowadays, nearly everyone has a Facebook, an Instagram, or a Twitter account. Grandparents, teenagers, children, and even some pets are a part of one social network or another. While websites like Facebook are great for sharing pictures, stories, and interests, but they are also capable of raising awareness about important issues that may have been overlooked. Recently, the overuse of Facebook was thought to promote negative psychology well-being, including depression and loneliness. It 's safe to say that the world has become hopelessly addicted to social media. Plenty of people can 't make it through the day or in extreme cases a few hours without popping on their computers or scrolling through their smart phones to check the newsfeed on Facebook. As Stephen Marche says in his article, "Is Facebook Making Us Lonely?”, Facebook makes us miserable and lonely. In fact, even though there is evidence showing that we 're more detached or lonely than ever because given Facebook is about social relationships; however, the site also offers an extraordinary number of ways to connect with others. This is just a taste of what Facebook can do, and with a huge number of people utilizing them, its possibilities are only growing. Facebook does not replace real human relationship or create loneliness, but it does not exterminate it either. It all depends on ones usage.

Social networking sites (SNSs) have made up an important area of research for those interested in online communication technologies and their impact on individuals interactions (Steinfield, Ellison & Lampe, 2008). The use of these technologies are said to have mixed effects on loneliness and connectedness. While these sites create a more convenient avenue to stay in contact with people (Ellison, Steinfield & Lampe, 2007) they also limit the depth of genuine relationships (Kraut et al., 1998). It is difficult to determine whether it is these SNSs that are making people lonely or whether these sites are reconfiguring our notions of loneliness, as these are not static concepts (LaRose, Connolly, Lee, Li & Hales, 2014). Research has also found that individuals who have high levels of conscientiousness are less like to engage with SNSs as they promote procrastination (Hughes, Rowe, Batey & Lee, 2011).

A human’s use of communication is a major key to our existence here on earth. If we weren’t capable of communicating our survival would probably be hopeless. As Human beings, we have an extremely detailed system of verbal and non-verbal communication that has developed over time and familiarity. With the advent of technology at the end of the 20th century our communications has moved into the computer realm, in the form of computer-mediated communication (CMC) (Bevan & Sole, 2014). CMC is now a completely normal and very common way to communicate in today’s era. Even though CMC seems to be the preferred way to communicate in this timeframe, it is also seen as less personable and the ending of what we knew as real conversations.

In this scholarly article, Wailin Wong claims that using the internet lessen the face to face interaction between people communicating. She explains that communicating through social media builds relationship and self- esteem. This article states the nature of social communication online or its effects on social connection and personal well-being.

Next, compare and contrast the communication methods used to manage a virtual team as opposed to a face-to-face team. Also, discuss the challenges of communication often faced with each type of team.

Stephen Marche’s “Is Facebook Making Us Lonely?” posted by The Atlantic has internet users questioning the meaning of why they use the internet and social media as well as weather or not it has a profound impact on their social lives. In 1995, only one percent of the world had access to the internet according to internetlivestats.com. Today, that number is approximately to 40%. With the expansion of the internet came social platforms such as Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and numerous similar sites. However, while these social media websites may be great ways to communicate with those who are far away or otherwise unable to speak in person, a detrimental effect comes with the power to do so. It can be time consuming and if one has an

Virtual communication can be beneficial. However, it is no use to verbally provide emotion and clarity in sensitive situations. For instance, if I have conflict with someone I immediately ask them to meet up with me in person to discuss the matter. This creates the opportunity allow the individual and I to more efficiently communicate and express our feeling with more passion.

Face-to-face discussions are the foundation of human communication; once established, it allows us to build trust, clearly articulate our ideas and minimize misunderstanding.

While non-verbal behaviors can affect many different communication styles, communicating while using technology devices affect one’s behavior more often than others; especially when communication is not being done face-to-face and computer-generated technology is being used instead. Although, this is common ground today, and computers and telecommunication are the newest trend to hit the market; sometimes the communication style chosen makes communicating impossible to fully understand the message being delivered by the sender. Thus, is because the communication being sent has not been interpreted correctly; due to unwanted communication barriers standing in the way. One of those barriers is that of “computer-mediated communication that influences virtually all behavior in the work environment; such as when

Our everyday communication involves talking to friends, lovers, family members, acquaintances, co-workers and people in service positions. We do this routinely, usually without much thought, unless some problem occurs or the relationship starts to take a turn for the worse. Then we become painfully aware of the poor communication we have had with another. We've probably all had relationships that slipped away because we couldn't talk to each other or didn't bother to try.

Facebook helps people to share one’s information to others through posting and photon on his or her Facebook wall. Dr. Marry Marrow has syntheses her findings about Facebook and wrote, “Social media; staying connected.” She mentions that Facebook can bring happiness when you actively connected to our beloveds. Additionally, Facebook gives opportunities to health care as mean to communicate and to instruct communities (Marrow para 3). Social media like Facebook can enhance