Understanding Digital Media Study Guide

Understanding Digital Media Study Guide for the Final Exams

Digital Media / Analogue Media

  • Definitions:

    • Digital Media: Media that are encoded in machine-readable formats and can be seamlessly manipulated, stored, and distributed with digital technology. Examples include social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, Instagram), streaming services (e.g., Netflix), and digital publications (e.g., eBooks).

    • Analogue Media: Media that represent information in a physical or continuous form without discrete digital encoding. Examples include vinyl records, traditional film photography, and newspaper print.

Web / Internet

  • Definitions:

    • Web: The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet using web browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox). A notable feature is its use of hyperlinks and uniform resource locators (URLs) to facilitate quick navigation.

    • Internet: A global network of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide. It encompasses a vast range of services including email, file transfer, and the web itself.

  • Distinctions:

    • The Internet is the infrastructure that connects computers and devices, while the Web is a service that operates over this infrastructure.

  • Representative Examples:

    • Internet: TCP/IP, email, FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

    • Web: HTML, HTTP, websites, and web applications.

Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory

  • Core Principles:

    • The theory explains how, why, and at what rate new ideas and technology spread within cultures. Central to this are several stages:

    1. Knowledge: Individuals become aware of an innovation.

    2. Persuasion: Individuals form an opinion about the innovation.

    3. Decision: Individuals engage in activities that lead to a choice to adopt or reject the innovation.

    4. Implementation: Individuals put the innovation into use.

    5. Confirmation: The individual seeks reinforcement for the decision they have made.

  • Applied Examples:

    • The adoption of smartphones, where early adopters lead to widespread use due to perceived benefits in communication and social interaction.

“Newness Ideology”

  • Definition:

    • This concept revolves around the belief that new technologies or media are inherently better than their predecessors and must be adopted for progress.

  • Relevant Examples:

    • Transitioning from traditional print media to digital platforms, where the narrative often suggests that digital formats are superior in accessibility and immediacy.

“Interactivity”

  • Definition:

    • Interactivity refers to the degree to which users can participate in the exchange of content in a mediated environment. It encompasses feedback opportunities, user control, and personalized experiences.

  • Examples Across Media and Technologies:

    • Interactive video games that allow players to influence the game's outcome.

    • Social media platforms enabling users to comment, share, and create content collaboratively.

“Digitisation”, “Digitalization”, “Digital Transformation”

  • Definitions:

    • Digitisation: The process of converting information from a physical format into a digital format. For example, scanning a physical document to create a PDF file.

    • Digitalization: The integration of digital technologies into everyday life, which changes how businesses operate and deliver value. An example is banks offering online customer services.

    • Digital Transformation: A broader concept that refers to the profound changes in how organizations operate and deliver value to customers due to digital technologies. This could include a complete reimagination of business models to utilize technology fully, such as how Netflix transitioned from DVD rental to streaming services.

  • Distinctions Between Terms:

    • Digitisation is the first step toward digitalization, which serves as a precursor to digital transformation.

Key Historical Developments to Know

  • Students should be familiar with the following areas regarding historical development, focusing on broad trends, major figures, and impacts rather than technical details:

    • Historical Development of the Internet:

    • Originated in the 1960s with ARPANET, evolved through the 1980s and 1990s with the introduction of TCP/IP protocols and the commercialization of the Internet.

    • Major figures include Tim Berners-Lee (invention of the World Wide Web) and Vint Cerf (one of the 'fathers of the Internet').

    • Impact: Revolutionized communication, commerce, and access to information.

    • Historical Development of the World Wide Web:

    • Established in 1989 with Tim Berners-Lee's proposal, it became publicly accessible in 1991.

    • Key innovations: Hypertext and HTML.

    • Impact: Enabled the creation of billions of interconnected web pages, impacting education, marketing, and media.

    • Historical Development of Computers:

    • Dates back to the 1940s with ENIAC and progressed through personal computers in the 1970s (Apple, IBM).

    • Key figures include Alan Turing and Bill Gates.

    • Impact: Transformation of workplaces and everyday tasks, from calculations to advanced software applications.

    • Historical Development of Mobile Phones:

    • Originated in the 1970s with handheld devices, evolving into smartphones in the early 21st century.

    • Major figures include Martin Cooper (first mobile phone call).

    • Impact: Changed communication practices, with significant implications for social behavior and information access.