Communication 4.1

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CIE IGCSE ICT Your notes
4.1 Communication
Contents
Communication Media
Mobile Communication
Electronic Conferencing
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Communication Media
Your notes
Communication Media
Communication media is the various methods and channels used to convey information and messages
between people, organisations, and devices.
Newsletters: Periodic publications, often used to inform, educate, or entertain subscribers about
specific topics
Usually distributed through email or as printed copies
Suitable for organisations, schools, and clubs to keep members up-to-date
Posters: Visual presentations that convey information or promote events or products
Combine text, images, and graphics to grab the attention
Used for advertising, public service announcements, and event promotion
Websites: Online platforms that provide information or services
Accessible through the internet using a web browser
Useful for businesses, educational institutions, and individuals to share information, sell products,
or offer services
Multimedia presentations: Digital presentations that combine various forms of media, such as text,
images, audio, and video
Used in education, business, and entertainment to present information in a visually engaging way
Audio: Sound recordings, such as podcasts, music, and radio shows
It can be streamed or downloaded for offline listening
Suitable for providing information, entertainment, or educational content
Video: Moving images with or without sound, used for entertainment, education, or promotional
purposes
Can be streamed or downloaded for offline viewing
Typical platforms include YouTube, Vimeo, and social media websites
Media streaming: Real-time transmission of audio and video files over the internet
Allows users to access content without downloading it to their devices
Popular services include Spotify, Netflix, and YouTube
ePublications: Digital versions of printed materials, such as eBooks, eMagazines, and eNewspapers
It can be read on electronic devices, such as eReaders, tablets, and smartphones
Offer benefits like portability, searchability, and adjustable text size
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Your notes
There are various ways mobile devices are used for communication:
SMS messaging: Short Message Service allows sending and receiving text messages up to 160
characters long
Uses cellular networks
Can be sent to multiple recipients at once
Phone calls: Traditional voice calls made and received through mobile devices
Uses cellular networks or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services
Provides real-time communication
VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol enables voice calls over the Internet instead of traditional phone
lines
E.g. Skype, WhatsApp
Can provide better call quality and lower costs compared to traditional calls
Video calls: Real-time video conversations between two or more users with a camera-enabled device
Uses internet connection or cellular data
E.g. FaceTime, Skype, and Zoom
Accessing the Internet: Mobile devices can connect to the Internet using Wi-Fi or cellular data
Allows users to browse websites, send and receive emails, and use social media
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Electronic Conferencing
Your notes
Video Conferencing
Hardware required
Tv Screens/Monitors
Speakers
Microphone
Webcam
Video Conferencing System
Characteristics
Video conferencing is an alternative for face to face meetings between two or more people
Allows both sound and video
Participants of the video conference can be many miles apart or even in a different country
Audio and video are real-time allowing users to interact with each other
Uses
Remote employee meetings
Staff interviews
Multi-person discussion
Remote training
Video conferencing has many uses that include:
Advantages
Convenience
Cost saving
Better for the environment
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Attendees do not have to travel to the event

Anyone within the company can attend regardless of location
Events can be held at short notice as travel is not required Your notes
Allows other members outside of the organisation to attend easily without having to visit on
premises
Some video conferencing software allows record and playback to allow members to review the
meeting
Disadvantages
The initial purchase of equipment can be costly
This can cause issues amongst employees when working across different time zones
Those using the system may need to be trained to use it effectively which can:
Take time
Be costly
Video conferencing systems require a strong and stable network connection
There can often be a delay in response times
The time lag is caused by the image not being synchronised with the sound
Poor picture/sound quality caused by the speed of connection/quality of the hardware
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Worked example
Your notes
A motor car company has some designers based in London and some in Beijing. The cost of travel
between the two cities is very high, so when they wish to meet to discuss new products they use
video-conferencing.
The designers all have PCs with a keyboard and a mouse in order to take part in video-conferencing.
a. Name three other devices used to input or output data which would be needed to take part in the
video-conference.
[3]
Three of:
Webcam / video camera [1]
Speakers / headset / headphones [1]
Large monitor / television / data projector [1]
Microphone [1]
b. Describe three potential problems of the designers using video-conferencing systems rather than
meeting in either London or Beijing.
[3]
Three from:
Time lag / lip sync caused by the image not being synchronised with the sound [1]
Poor picture quality caused by the speed of connection / quality of the hardware [1]
More likely to have poorer sound quality caused by the quality of the hardware / connection [1]
Confidential material about the new cars may have to be signed / viewed in person [1]
The new car may have to be viewed in person [1]
Hardware breakdown stops the conference taking place [1]
Communication breakdown stops the conference taking place [1]
Different time zones will mean the conference has to take place at inconvenient times [1]
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Audio Conferencing
Your notes
Hardware required
A landline phone
Internet Phone
Computer (requires a microphone and speakers)
Characteristics
Voice communication only (no video)
Audio is in real time
Call management options (mute etc)
Participants of the audio conference can be many miles apart or even in a different country
Uses
On the go business meetings
Allows a hybrid collection of devices such as landline telephones, smartphones and laptops
(providing it is a VoIP call)
Advantages
Convenience
Cost saving
Events can be held at short notice as travel is not required
premises
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Audio conferencing is more cost effective as it requires less bandwidth and less expensive
equipment
Audio conferencing can integrate with many other devices and tools for communication Your notes
Audio conferencing provides a higher level of security as users are not sharing a screen
Disadvantages
Can be difficult to determine who is the speaker
Limited interaction
Lack of visuals:
Body language
Users sharing visual content
This can cause issues amongst employees when working across different time zones
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Web Conferencing (Webinar /Webcast)

Your notes
Hardware Required
Computer (requires webcam, microphone and speakers)
Characteristics
Allows both sound and video
Participants of the web conference can be many miles apart or even in a different country
Audio and video are real time allowing users to interact with each other
Allows virtual breakout rooms for teams of participants
Screen and slide presentations
Instant messaging
Document sharing
Uses
Distance learning and education
Online presentations
Online team collaboration
Interviews
Customer support
Virtual events
Advantages
Convenience
Cost saving
Events can be held at short notice as travel is not required
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premises
Web conferencing software often allows recording and playback features to allow members to Your notes
review the event
Enhanced visual presentations compared to video conferencing
Real time collaboration
Disadvantages
Requires a strong and stable network connection
Security and privacy concerns
Distractions from other activities on the device
Those using the system may need to be trained to use it effectively which can:
Take time
Be costly
Dependent on users being technically savvy and having suitable devices/network connections
Differences of Online Conferencing Types
Audio Conferencing Video/Web Conferencing
Requires less bandwidth Requires more bandwidth
Less Social More Social
No Visual Engagement Visual Engagement
No option of non verbal cues Use of nonverbal cues
Fewer resources needed More Resources needed
Exam Tip
Both web conferencing and video conferencing are very similar however, the key differences are:
Video conferencing has a focus on face to face communication
Web conferencing has a focus on interaction and collaboration such as document sharing,
whiteboards etc
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CIE IGCSE ICT Your notes

Attendees do not have to travel to the event

Web Conferencing (Webinar /Webcast)

Differences of Online Conferencing Types

Audio Conferencing Video/Web Conferencing

Requires less bandwidth Requires more bandwidth

Less Social More Social

No Visual Engagement Visual Engagement

No option of non verbal cues Use of nonverbal cues

Fewer resources needed More Resources needed

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