What is Media Technology?
In this guide, we’ll look at the impact of media technology on children. Of course, with the coming of technology, not only children have affected the world at large shares in this too. However, media technology and its effects on children will be the basis of this guide. If you are interested in finding out, you should read through this guide.
What is media?
Media is an intermediary in order to transport information used to communicate (like the press, radio, and television). Media let disseminate information to a large number of people without customization of the message. That is why we speak also of mass media. However, the term is used in more general senses, to designate the means of communication such as language, writing, or music.
What is Media Technology?
Media technology is any type of application meant to transfer information via digital techniques, computerized systems, or data networks. First established in the 20th century, this technology is most readily associated with information transfers meant to be manipulated in some way.
Most forms are interactive and contain compressed data designed to be accessed in a variety of markets. The most prevalent examples of new media include Internet-based concepts, like websites, or digital mediums, such as CD-ROMs and DVDs. Anything that is considered old media, such as television, film, or paper-based products, is not part of new media.
The work that media technology specialists produce is used in various media, such as training programs, web pages, and news sites.
Career Opportunities
There are many employment opportunities for media technology professionals in a variety of industries. Anything that needs to be communicated to an audience can contain digital and print images, text, or animation to attract attention and deliver the message. You might find a position in marketing or advertising. You may be employed in publishing and be responsible for managing, designing, or producing multimedia content for websites, newspapers, and magazines. Possible career choices include:
- Graphic artist
- Digital photographer
- Instructional designer
- Production Assistant
- Desktop publisher
Popular Applications of media technology
Nowadays, it is nearly impossible for an organization or company to work without integrating different multimedia platforms to conduct its day-to-day operations. Catering to the demand of various types, multimedia has different usages in a given situation. These are some of the popular applications of media technology.
- Creative Industries
- Commerce
- Entertainment
- Education
- Educational Technology
- Social Work Purposes
- Communication
- Journalism
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Research
- Interior Designing
Journalism
Media organizations everywhere are incorporating convergent technology in their daily reporting and practices of journalism. Global newspapers like the New York Times, Guardian, etc, have already made themselves pioneers in its usage and ushering global media towards a new age.
Guardian’s multimedia story ‘The Shirt on Your Back is a prime example of how a multimedia story is developed through the use of text, video, and other forms of interactive technologies. Nowadays, a journalist, with the help of a mobile phone, is capable of making live video broadcasts without the need for a camera person.
E-Commerce
Online business has effectively replaced traditional ways of buying and selling. Simply, by scrolling through online shopping sites like Amazon we see how text, pictures, and videos have been blended into making an appealing user interface. Through the use of multimedia various companies offer interesting details of products to the prospective consumer who, simply through, a mobile phone buys and compares products online to check their suitability and price variances.
For Example: During the early stage of online shopping or selling, still, pictures of the products were uploaded. But following the recent trends and advancements, you can now see videos in that place and can decide whether the piece of clothing or accessory will look good on you or not.
Education
The applications of media technology in the education sector are no less than a paradigm shift. Through its usage, it is now feasible to create interactive educational materials, like books, PDFs, videos, PowerPoint presentations, etc along with one-touch access to websites like Wikipedia and encyclopedia.
Through virtual classrooms, teachers and students can avail the opportunity to learn, interact and exchange informative ideas without stepping outside and sitting for hours inside a classroom. On top of everything, computer-based competitive as well as scholastic exams are being conducted globally only via the use of media technology.
Communication
With the emergence of the internet and its rapid spread across the world, traditional types of communication have become obsolete. Online video calling has become the new face of communication.
Video platforms like Skype, and Google Meet allow video chats that can happen between friends or can be used for conducting meetings between different heads of countries. Communication has been molded as a matter of a fraction of second, hence, now you can easily convey anything with just a few clicks. This has turned out to be a boon in situations of emergency, thus, it is known as one of the most beneficial applications of media technology.
Medicine
Media technology is increasingly used by doctors to get trained by simply watching a surgery being done on a virtual platform. Simulation technology is used to develop human anatomy and study how it gets affected by different illnesses and then accordingly develop medicines and other remedial measures.
Furthermore, the other applications of media technology in medicine allow patients to consult a doctor online to get medical intervention and treatment for their sickness.
Interior Designing
Nowadays, interior designing is not a process of drawing sketches or designing structures on long white paper. Today, interior designers use different software like SketchUp, AutoCAD, and Revit to create designs that allow a customer to have a virtual walk through the house before it takes the shape of a real house. With the use of this application, we can now take an intricate look at the combined product of architecture and interior design.
Impact of Technology on Children
Positive Impacts
There are also many ways in which technology can positively impact our lives and those of our children—it all depends on how the technology is being used.
- Organization: Technology can be beneficial to organization and planning. For example, families can keep an online calendar to make it easier to stay updated on each other’s schedules. Group text messaging is also convenient for streamlining communication and keeping everyone in the loop. Lastly, technology also makes budgeting easier with different apps, which can help parents teach children about money management.
- Research and critical thinking: The internet provides access to a great deal of information and resources to help children learn about different topics. This is helpful for school projects or for researching areas of interest. This can also be a teachable moment, by showing children how to sift through information to find reliable sources.
- Bonding and community: Technology can foster connection by allowing kids to stay in touch with family members or friends who do not live close by. Also, kids can interact with others in their age group while playing games online and learn to play as a team.
- Self-expression: Children can learn how to share their thoughts online, which is a powerful tool that can build confidence. They can learn how to connect with others and be exposed to other viewpoints or perspectives.
- Creativity and exploring interests: In many ways, technology fosters creativity and learning new skills through various apps for all different ages. Children can explore different areas they have an interest in, such as learning to play an instrument, creative writing, or beginner programs related to various subjects.
Negative Impacts
Technology can negatively affect children’s developing social skills, relationships,
health, and overall ability to focus.
- Social skills: With the increased use of technology, children might not be adequately developing their social skills. This can lead to more children being socially awkward, withdrawn, shy, or intimidated by social situations. They might not know how to engage with other children or adults. Developing social skills takes practice, and if technology is often in the way, there are fewer opportunities for kids to develop these skills.
- Relationships: Children might get used to being alone and lose the desire to engage with their parents or even friends, outside of the internet. Often the virtual reality of their devices is more appealing and entertaining than the physical reality.
- Health problems: Technology can potentially influence the child’s developing brain and problem-solving skills. For instance, the child might be reliant on a device to solve problems for them rather than using brain connections to work through a problem and find a solution. There could also be a lack of exercise due to being inside, which can cause weight gain. If kids use their devices before bedtime, this could lead to reduced sleep quality, affecting their overall well-being and immune system.
- Ability to focus: Children who spend a lot of time using devices might have a reduced attention span and ability to focus due to their reliance on technology to pay attention to them. This is evident in classrooms, where teachers are opting for shorter lesson plans to accommodate students becoming easily distracted.
- Dangers of browsing: With so much information available on the internet, it’s difficult for parents to monitor what their children are exposed to, including inappropriate content or interactions with strangers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, media technology has done children a whole lot of good, and bad. As media technology get advanced, it’ll have more impacts on both children and adults.
