Communication Flashcards
What is communication?
Way of sending a message
To tell someone something by talking or writing
How do we communicate?
Language (7000 in world) Symbols Art Song Dance and Movement
List some old forms of communication
Storytelling
Drums
Smoke signals
Carrier pigeon
How was storytelling communication?
People may not have been able to read.
Stories were a way that information was passed on through generations.
How true were the stories? Some could have been changed through the years
How were drums communication?
The sound of drums could travel to neighbouring tribes.
The pattern of drumming would give a message (like morse code)
When were smoke signals useful?
When people were far from each other, this was a quick way to send a message
What was the first airmail?
Carrier pigeon: letter ties to pigeon’s foot
What were the earliest forms of communication in SA?
These were all for written communication Postal stones Runners Horseback riders Stage/ mail coaches
What was the postal stone system?
Letters were left under ‘postal stone’ for other ships
These were wrapped in oil skins to keep them dry
What was the postal runner system?
Slaves would deliver messages from farm to far.
Letters were carried in a cleft stick
Why did horseback riders and stage coaches develop as a form of delivering messages?
The distance between communities grew larger
Size of packages grew larger (so stage coaches were developed)
People also wanted to be transported
How has the postal system changes over time?
Changes in transport to make deliveries quicker
First people delivered the messages
Then animals were used since it was faster
Then various forms of transportation depending upon size and urgency of package/ letter
How is transportation of letters and packages paid for?
Using postage stamps.
These indicate that the transportation has been paid for.
Why was the “wireless telegraph” developed?
Speed
What was the “wireless telegraph”?
Use radio waves to transmit signals to a receiver without wires.
Morse code was used
How does the radio work?
The radio changes sounds and signals into radio waves.
Radio waves travel through air, space and solid objects
Radio receiver changes radio waves back into sounds
Why did radios become the centre of family entertainment?
The family could listen to news, stories and music.
Previously they would have had to go out to a concert, or have someone play at their home if they were rich
This could have been too expensive, and too far away.
What is a typewriter?
Small machine that people used to write printed words on a piece of paper
Why were they developed?
Faster to write than by hand
Print easier to read than handwriting
More than one copy could be made
Why are the keys on the typewriter not in alphabetical order?
First typewriters had keys arranged in an alphabetical order, but people typed so fast that the mechanical character arms got tangled up.
As a result the keys were randomly positioned to actually slow down typing and prevent key jams.
What was the telegraph?
Way of sending a message along a wire
How does the telegraph work?
Sends electrical signals to represent words or letters
How did the telegraph become more useful?
Samuel Morse invented “More Code”. Each letter and number is represented by a series of sounds.
These are converted into a message by the operator/ receiver
What invention was an improvement on the telegraph?
The telephone
Why was the telephone an improvement on the telegraph?
It allowed voice messages to be sent along wires, rather than just electrical signals
How did the telephone change people’s lives?
Made communication earlier and faster
People could contact emergency services more easily for assistance
Helped business people communicate faster
Who invented the telephone, and when?
Alexander Graham Bell
1876
What is the Personal Computer (PC)?
A multi-purpose ALL-IN-ONE machine: typewriter library calculator telephone dvd player
What can a PC do?
Type letter Store information connect to the internet send emails play games, music and movies
What do you think has driven the changes in communication over time?
The desire for faster communication
This had led to devices becoming smaller and portable
Now we can communicate in most places in the world, at any time!
