Transcript Issues of Theoretical Perspective. Tannenbaum, Chapter 5.

Multimedia 2
Issues of Theoretical Perspective
Tannenbaum - Chapter 5
Abbreviated Outline
Similarities and Differences
• Commonalties between communication
science and computer science include:
– the study of the representation, manipulation,
transmission, and reception of information.
• Differences between the two are these:
– Computer science concentrates on the
electronic, digital aspects of information
– Communication science concentrates on the
human aspects of it.
Human-Computer
Communication Dyad
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“Human Factors”
Interface Design”
Virtual Reality
Interactivity
Shannon (1948)
• Linear model of communication
– because it posited a direct flow of a message
from an information source, through a
transmitter, to a receiver, and then on to its
destination
• The model also allowed for the introduction
of noise from a noise source between the
transmitter and the receiver.
• Shannon’s theory contains mathematical
formulations of the concept of information
Extensions of Shannon’s theory
• Schramm introduced the concept of field of
experience and feedback.
• The concept of feedback (reminiscent of the
much earlier work of Saussure, 1915) is a
direct precursor of studies of interactivity.
• Berlo’s model (1960) adds several
additional aspects
– communication as a continuous process, as
opposed to a series of discrete events
Interpersonal vs. Mass
Communication
• Multimedia shares characteristics with both
traditional interpersonal and mass
communication; lessons learn from studies
in both areas are of potential value to a
multimedia developer.
Interactivity
• Communicative interactivity occurs in
different forms and to different degrees
along a continuum from not interactive such
as network TV to highly interactive such as
face-to-face conversation
• the study of conversational management
entails a consideration of the details of
– how people interact when they are speaking to
each other;
• Key ingredients have been identified in
interpersonal interactions, including
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immediacy of response
nonsequential access to information,
adaptability,
and feedback
• All of these apply to multimedia as well.
Telepresence
• Telepresence is the sensation that a person
has of being actually present even though a
communication is mediated technologically
across distance and, perhaps, time.
• Interactivity in telepresence is defined by
range, speed, and mapping.
• Another approach to interactivity is derived
from the concept of vividness in
telepresence.
Alternate definition of
Interactivity
• One other definition of interactivity derives
from six dimensions:
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choice and selectivity,
effort
responsiveness
monitoring
addition of information, and
facilitation of communication
• Each of these six has its uses in considering
multimedia production under development.
• It is generally agreed that increasing
interactivity enhances multimedia.
• The degree to which the interactivity should
be increased is dependent on the nature and
objectives of a particular production and the
cost-effectiveness of the development and
delivery of the interactivity.