Names: David Sedman and Barry Vecker
Type of Session: Presentation
Audience: General/Beginning
Track:
Abstract/Description: New Processing Power and lower computer prices have seen exponential increase in applications for digital technology. These applications are transforming the landscape of traditional mass a media. The instantaneous, interactive nature of the digital media are creating now synergistic patterns within the media industry impact of the new media patterns can be seen in media usage and media education. This paper examines the changes in media technology as they impact the educational objectives of communication studies as we enter the 21st Century.
The authors trace the evolution of communication studies in the 20th Century and relate them to the technological changes which have taken place. Technological applications have begun to dissolve the distinctions between the traditionally specialized media. This has resulted in significant implications for communication curriculum and scholarship.
The authors demonstrate that U.S. Colleges and universities have taken two distinct approaches with respect to mass communications scholarship. in the first approach, schools have chosen to remain sedentary within their specialized educational approaches. in the second approach, the institutions have revamped their educational program toward application-driven curricula.
The paper suggests that neither of the approaches that educational institutions have taken with respect to this seemingly relentless transformation to digital technology are ideal. The pace of new media technology, which is producing a demassified media landscape, will only escalate. The authors suggest an approach which places technology in the role of "enabler" in media curriculum of the new millennium.
Contact information: David Sedman Southern Methodist University Communication Arts P.O. Box 750113 Dallas, TX 75275-0113 Tel: (214) 769-3375 Fax: (214) 768-2784 email -- dsedan@mail.smu.edu
Barry Vecker Southern Methodist University Communication Arts 3300 Dyer Ave. Dallas, TX 75275-0113 Tel: (214) 827-0410 Fax: (214) 768-2784 email -- bvacker@mail.smu.edu
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