Living in the 21st Century means that electronic communication is part and parcel of daily life. Our global reach has expanded by shrinking the amount of time needed to connect with others. Accessibility continues to grow, with new innovations available, making our communication and connectivity simpler and easier.
The Meeting Space has been transformed by electronic communication, allowing us to host virtual events in realtime, or giving room for extended communication on a common topic. I will discuss some of the benefits and pitfalls associated with the use of electronic communication in email discussions, threaded discussions and video discussion formats. I will explore the limitations, expectations, problems and concerns that may result when using these three methods of communication.
Continuity
In my opinion, video conferencing provides the best use of time, with immediate feedback. It would be useful for situations where active, immediate participation is necessary for progress, vs a delayed response. Threaded discussions can be drawn out depending on availability and access of the participants. As such, the continuity offered by a live discussion can be interrupted. At times, depending on the format, it may be difficult to follow along due to the number of discussion posts. Finding the right spot to pick up in a thread may be difficult to navigate.
Email discussions present a similar problem, especially if there's a large number of participants contributing. The result is multiple emails and branched threads that can be difficult to navigate. Because each participant contributes in their own time, it can be difficult to follow the entire thought progression. I personally find it a bit distressing to follow a long thread of email or discussion posts, especially if I'm looking for specific information. Other times, I may compose a message and imagine I've sent it, only to find the draft sitting patiently in waiting, later on. Email discussions work best in small group settings such as peer study groups, parent-teacher-student communications and one to one digital conversations. I use them for department communications as well, and find they serve as a great record for past conversations as well as a starting point for future ones.
Video conferencing may be impacted by participant number, and visibility/audibility impacted by the signal strength and bandwidth available to participants. Images and sound going in and out makes it difficult to track the discussion and may result in lost time due to troubleshooting connectivity issues. sitting down for long periods of time in front of a screen may cause eye fatigue and strain, not to mention waxing and waning interest. In fact, it can be easier to check out during online discussions because it's easier to hide.
Social/emotional communication and cues
The physical distance created by electronic communication, means that social cues, body language and, tone, vocal and visual cues can be missed or misunderstood.
Email discussions and threaded discussions are the biggest culprits here, because, with everything type-written, the visual expressions that might accompany the communique, are absent, leaving the reader to decipher any important mood or tone from the writing alone. The use of uppercase letters, exclamation marks, font color and emojis may communicate either appropriate or inaccurate tone and mood.
Some may have difficulty composing text and may come across as timid, bossy, rude or compliant, depending. I have found myself altering my emails and posts to ensure that they are perfectly worded so as not to offend or create tension. This is a great practice, and it can also slow/hinder progress.
In my experience, video conferencing reduces the loss of some of the vocal and visual cues, assuming that sound and visual imaging are intact. The number of participants may interfere with the ability for all to participate and frustration may not be easy to detect if one person dominates the scene. A moderator may help maintain participation to prevent certain individuals from being overlooked or overpowered by others. There are helpful tools in conferencing software like zoom, that allow participants to applaud, make comments or call attention by "raising their hand". These help to maintain a sense of general awareness during the discussion.
Authenticity and Fakeness
My biggest issue with digital communication is that it may force people to adopt a persona, for better or for worse, for the digital world. This may serve the purpose of maintaining a professional rapport between all parties involved, as should always be the case. It may, in some cases stifle true expressiveness and limit the fullness of reactions to various types of news/threads. I find it difficult to convey my heartfelt condolences to someone suffering a bereavement or injury, using email or discussions. I also find it hard to illustrate my shared excitement at a birth announcement or other joyous event, via digital communications. Yet I communicate with various groups of friends and associates via text, and am able to communicate authentically in those circles, because the understanding is that it is a safe and open space.
For the most part, with digital communication including peers and work associates, formality, forced or authentic, tends to be the name of the game.
All in all, I find that video chats and conferences offer the best functionality-combining the digital space with a more personal, video element. Visibility and audibility really help to enhance the communication taking place. The future will continue to provide better functionality in the digital communication space, and I imagine that we may have a lot more unique and exciting features heading our way.
