lOMoARcPSD|22015503
BUSI 604 - DB Forum 1
International Business (Liberty
University)
lOMoARcPSD|22015503
I have chosen the key term Communication Technologies. Communication technologies are
used every single day to process and transfer messages and information. I would describe myself
as multimedia and technologically savvy. I use communication technologies every day. I am
constantly communicating with people with people using these technologies. I once created a
video about a vacation I went on and provided valuable information for other people seeking the
same adventure. I’ve shared information using digital communication in the form of blogs,
newsletters, and press releases. Communication technologies are used by everyone, especially in
todays world. Families and coworkers connect through Zoom, celebrities recently used Facebook
to celebrate the graduating class of 2020, and more and more people are creating podcasts and
radio shows to share their experience with Covid-19 and ways to help.
Communications technology, also known as information technology, refers to all equipment and
programs that are used to process and communicate information. Communication technology
influences business and society by making the exchange of ideas and information more
efficient. Communication technologies include the Internet, multimedia, e-mail, telephone and
other sound-based and video-based communication means. Communication technology
specialists design and maintain technical systems of communication, according to the needs of a
specific business, industry or market. Communication technology increases the ways in which
information can be communicated, the speed of transmission and total volume that can be
handled at any one time. It helps people communicate more information to more people in less
time with greater accuracy and fewer misunderstanding.
I chose to read the article “‘Who over 65 Is Online?" Older Adults' Dispositions toward
Information Communication Technology.” This article is about a research project that examines
patterns of information communication technology (ICT) use, group participation, and health as
well as wellness of older adults (age 65+) residing in the New England region. The researchers
observed the wide use of ICT, technology understanding, and uncommon characteristics of
nearly 200 elders and explored the dispositional correlates of ICT adoption. Their results
showed that majority of participants used ICT to maintain family and social connections and to
access information on health and routine activities. Those aged 65–70 with higher education
and/or living with a spouse/partner were more likely to use ICT. Key relationships between ICT
use and perspectives on technology were found. Higher ICT use was associated with self-
perceived
socio-personal characteristics such as being “satisfied with activities”, “persevering”, “physically
and emotionally independent” and having a “positive outlook”. Although, the majority of non-
users reported that their activities did not change across time and that they felt “intimidated” and
“anxious” with technology. The performance of ICT-based activities and/or the desire to perform
them were significantly associated with the perceived importance of the activities. The older
population’s age, education, attitudes, and personalities influence how they approach ICT.
As I previously stated, communication technologies are critical in this day and age. As defined in
our text communication technology influences both businesses and society. They can be
designed based on specific needs. Ultimately it communicates information to people in less time
with greater accuracy. As noted in this article the primary user information communication
technology were older adults. The technology enabled the users to receive their health
information without making a doctor’s appointment and avoid the added efforts of getting to the
appointment and
lOMoARcPSD|22015503
waiting to be seen in an examination room. The majority of the older adults using ICT did so in
order to communicate with family. Many of them are unable to travel or leave their home or
facility to visit their family. Communication technologies such as Zoom, FaceTime, Skype,
Facebook, Twitter, cell phones, etc. help them communicate. Another large group used the ICT
to access health information, this is particularly helpful to an aging population who may be
experience limited mobility issues or not have easy access to transportation.
The articles I chose all have one theme in common, communication technologies. However, all
of the articles clearly demonstrated the ways in which communication technologies are being
used to help people. Lives are made easier due to these technologies. Without them, the world
would be a different place. While there may be some negative impacts, the good uses of
communication technologies heavily outweigh the bad.
Sources:
Gungor, V. C., Sahin, D., Kocak, T., Ergut, S., Buccella, C., Cecati, C., & Hancke, G. P. (2014)
Dar, K., Bakhouya, M., Gaber, J., Wack, M., & Lorenz, P. (2000).
Vroman, Kerryellen G., et al. “‘Who over 65 Is Online?" Older Adults' Dispositions toward
Information Communication Technology.” Computers in Human Behavior, Pergamon, 20 Nov.
2014, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S074756321400541X.
do Amaral E Melo, Giselle Rhaisa, et al. “Nutritional Interventions for Adolescents Using
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs): A Systematic Review.” PloS One, Public
Library of Science, 29 Sept. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28961248.
Akesson, Kerstin M, et al. “Health Care Consumers' Experiences of Information
Communication Technology--a Summary of Literature.” International Journal of Medical
Informatics, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2007,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16931133.
