COMM 180 EXAM 1 review

Trade-off in technology change

All technology change requires society to pay a price.

Winners and losers in technology change

The benefits of technology change are unequally distributed, creating winners and losers.

Underlying philosophy of technology

Every technology embodies an underlying philosophy that influences its impact on society.

Ecological impact of technology change

Technology change is ecological; it affects everything in society.

Mythic nature of technology

Technology often seems preexisting, natural, and beyond our control.

Analog technology

A type of technology that transmits information through continuous signals, such as sound waves.

Asynchronous communication

Communication that does not occur in real time, allowing messages to be sent and received at different times.

Convergence in media technology

The combining of different types of media and communication technologies into one device or platform.

Digital technology

Technology that converts information into binary code (0s and 1s) for storage, processing, and transmission.

Gatekeepers in media

Individuals or organizations that control what information is shared with the public.

Interactive communication

Communication that involves active participation and exchange of information among users.

Narrowcasting

The practice of sending media or information to a specific, targeted audience.

New media

Digital forms of communication that use the internet to allow user interaction.

Smartphone

A mobile phone that combines calling and texting with internet access and apps.

Telecommunications

The transmission of information over long distances using electronic technology.

3G technology

Mobile technology that introduced mobile internet, email, and basic video calling.

4G technology

An advancement in mobile technology providing faster internet and supporting HD streaming.

5G technology

The latest mobile technology offering even faster speeds and lower delays.

Universal service

The principle that everyone should have access to affordable telecommunications services.

Packet switching

A method for transmitting digital information by breaking it into packets for transmission.

Spectrum management

The regulation of radio frequencies to prevent interference between wireless communication services.

Radio waves

Electromagnetic waves used for transmitting information wirelessly.

FCC (Federal Communications Commission)

A U.S. agency that regulates communications via radio, television, telephone, and more.

Public Broadcasting

Noncommercial services that provide educational and cultural programming funded through donations.

Indecent speech

Language that describes sexual or bodily functions offensively but is not legally obscene.

Frequency (in radio)

The number of times a radio wave cycle repeats per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

AM radio

A type of radio broadcasting that varies wave amplitude to transmit sound, with longer range but lower quality.

FM radio

A radio broadcasting type that alters wave frequency for clearer sound, generally with a shorter range.

VHF (Very High Frequency)

Radio frequencies from 30 MHz to 300 MHz, used in TV and FM communication.

UHF (Ultra High Frequency)

Radio frequencies from 300 MHz to 3 GHz, used in television broadcasts and cell phones.

Bit

The smallest unit of digital data, represented by a 0 or 1.

Byte

A group of 8 bits, commonly used in digital data measurement.

Last mile

The final part of a telecommunications network connecting directly to the consumer.

Digital divide

The gap between those with access to digital technology and those without.

Digital inclusion

Ensuring access to affordable internet and digital technology for all.

Digital equity

Providing equal resources and opportunities for all to benefit from digital technology.

Broadband

High-speed internet connection enabling quick access to online content.

Streaming video

Watching video content online in real time without downloading the entire file first.

Web 2.0

The development of the internet into an interactive platform allowing user content creation.