Globalization Overview and Communication

Globalization

• It enables the free movement of people, goods, and ideas across borders.
• Facilitates integration of markets, trade, and investments, reducing barriers between nations.
• Promotes cultural exchange through the sharing and assimilation of traditions and ideas.
• The Silk Road was an early example, connecting China and Europe.
• Technology like the internet and email has accelerated globalization's pace.
• It can bring peace and prosperity, but can be disastrous if poorly managed.

Communication and Globalization

• Communication is crucial for building relationships, collaborating, and unifying conflicting ideas.
• Globalization integrates cultural, political, economic, and technological aspects across connected countries.
• Companies like Toyota, Jollibee, and Starbucks have expanded globally.
• Technological advancements have made communication smoother and faster across regions.
• Baker's Chocolate (1840s) is believed to be the first branded, packaged grocery item in the United States.
• Milton Hershey built the world's largest chocolate factory, creating the first molded chocolate bar at the beginning of the 20th century.
• The Hershey chocolate bar exemplifies two conditions for the rise of mass media in the 19th century: branding and mass manufacturing.

Mass Media and Markets

• Mass media targets audiences based on demographics and psychographics, influencing consumer habits.
• Different media cater to specific groups, like women, ethnicities, or age demographics.
• Advertisers focus on media platforms that attract desired customers.
• Major conglomerates like Sony and Bertelsmann own multiple media outlets in film, music, and publishing.
• While media products entertain and inform, their main goal is profit.
• Mass media greatly influences modern culture and how people spend their time.

The Internet Today

• Dial-up service was the most common and affordable way to access the internet in the 1990s.
• Companies like AOL offered free internet time to encourage subscriptions.
• As the internet gained popularity, companies like AOL adapted and generated revenue by selling advertising space online.

Business Models for Internet Sites

• Government agencies, businesses, and organizations increasingly utilize the internet for various purposes like purchasing stamps, contacting politicians, and accessing tax forms.
• Websites also allow members to pay dues and stay updated on activities.

Virtual Retailers

• Businesses leverage the internet for convenience, instant gratification, and quick fulfillment of services.
• Virtual businesses like Amazon offer online shopping, while physical stores use websites for advertising.
• Consumers appreciate the convenience of shopping anytime, anywhere.

Bricks and Click Retailers

• Businesses combine physical locations and online selling, offering direct sales, store information, and online shopping.
• Retailers like Target, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy offer both physical locations and online options.

Subscription or Pay-per-View Content Providers

• Websites sell content via subscriptions or pay-per-view, offering convenience to businesses.
• They monetize by upselling services, providing free content, and catering to personal interests.
• Concerns surround internet addiction, especially with the booming online pornography industry.

Advertiser-Supported Content Providers

• Websites rely on advertising firms for revenue, similar to older media models.
• Cost per click (CPC) charges advertisers based on site visitors' clicks.
• Internet search sites like Google and Yahoo heavily rely on CPC advertising for revenue.

The Internet in the Future

• Cloud computing encourages using web services and applications rather than computer-based software for communication, e.g., using Hotmail or Gmail.
• Increased accessibility of electronic transactions worldwide may lead to electronic currency.

Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)

• Any human symbolic interaction that uses digitally based technologies.
• Information contained in sounds, images, and procedures are digitized into ones and zeros.

Characteristics of CMC

• Richness: The amount of information conveyed through non-verbal cues.
• Access: The ease of reaching others.
• Openness: The ability to express oneself freely.
• Mastery: The level of control over communication.

Strategies Using Tools of Technology

• Keep it simple. Emphasize key ideas.
• Show what you can't say (using visuals).
• Use close-up shots and other images.
• Keep the number of images manageable.
• Combine variety with coherence (in visuals).
• Use large lettering.

Multimedia

• Documents and presentations that combine different media types are considered multimedia.
• The web and other computer-based applications and documents are often associated with multimedia.

Basic Kinds of Multimedia

• Photographs
• Video
• Audio
• Animations
• Storyboards
• Podcasts

Advantages of Using Multimedia in Web Design

• Embedded Video Footage: Enhances engagement and information delivery.
• Informative Images: Go beyond decorative purposes, adding context and visual appeal.
• Animated Information: Flash objects can add interactivity and visual interest.
• Sound: Enhances the user experience and can be used for short or long clips.

Photographs

• Use light and exposure to create a reproduction or "picture" of what appears in the camera frame.
• Saved onto film.

Printed and Digital Photograph Formats

• Prints
• Slides
• Posters
• Image files
• Photo CDs and DVDs

Image Resolution

• Refers to the density and number of pixels (dots on the screen) in an image file.

Photograph File Formats and Quality

• JPEGs: Most common format, compressed for various purposes.
• TIFFs: Older but still common, uncompressed for high-quality images.
• GIFs: Compressed for use on the internet, often used for animated images.
• Photoshop (PSD): Widely used, its file format has become a standard file type.

Editing Digital Photographs

• Commonly used software for photo editing includes:
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program)
  • Apple iPhoto
  • Picasa

Ethics of Using Photographs and of Photo Alteration

• Always include a photo credit when using a photograph in a document or on a webpage.

Pocket Technologies

• Personal digital assistants and mobile technologies like smartphones and mp3 players offer fast, portable access to various information formats, including the web and email.

Designing Text and Visual Information

• Pocket technologies have smaller screens and less memory, so information presentation needs to be carefully considered.
• To prevent visual overload, text should be succinct and images should be kept to a minimum
• Many websites have mobile-friendly versions for simpler viewing.
• Generating distinct documents for desktop and mobile formats is often essential.
• Modular content stored in a database helps manage extensive information effectively.

Using Digital Technology

• Digital tools improve communication, collaboration, and learning in various ways.
• Cloud storage makes it easier for users to share files and collaborate on projects.
• Social media, blogs, and vlogs encourage student participation and foster lively discussions.
• Digital media facilitates audio and video recordings for instructional purposes.
• Annotating photos and videos with Thinglink enhances comprehension.
• Wikis and online lexicons boost collaboration and vocabulary development.

Advantages of Using Technology

• Exclusive and easily accessible resources reduce paper consumption, promoting sustainability.
• Offers teachers and students flexible access to reliable and auditable materials.
• Affordable solutions support large online classes, reducing the need for printed textbooks.
• Instantaneous results from online quizzes and surveys enhance the educational process.
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) encourages active student engagement in class.
• Students can test anytime, receiving immediate feedback.

Disadvantages of Using Technology

• Funding is required for equipment upgrades, and software is often expensive.
• Concerns about authenticity, plagiarism, and cheating may arise in student work.
• Initial setup takes time, which can affect students with confidence or health challenges.
• Internet issues like bandwidth restrictions, security risks, and user-blocked websites can be problematic.
• Insufficient resources may impede equitable access for all students in the classroom.

Social Networking and Social Media

• Social networking connects individuals with friends, family, and professionals who share similar interests.
• It promotes positive interactive engagement when teachers implement internet safety practices.
• Most websites are free, but some may charge for specific additional services.

This quiz explores the various aspects of globalization, including the free movement of people, goods, and ideas. It examines the historical context of globalization, its progress alongside technological advancements, and its impact on communication across cultures and markets. Test your understanding of these crucial concepts and their relevance in today's interconnected world.