Less interaction changes ways to communicate
Tanya Groff
Presentational, interpersonal and teamwork skills are on the top of the list of what employers want in their employee today.If this is true, why is it that communication methods have been ignored in society?
Academic, professional and personal success depends on the ability to communicate effectively.
As of late, it seems as though parents, teachers, and young adults do not take the time to talk anymore.
Tawnya Sherman, a communication instructor at MCC, thinks that communication has changed over the past 20 years.
“I don’t feel communication is lost, I am worried that it might be damaged.
“There is no filter anymore; it’s not the same quality as it was before. Communication has diversified over the years.
“We can communicate better with third world countries; however, we are not communicating well in our own country so it’s difficult to understand.” Sherman said.
“Communication has completely changed throughout the years,” said Kelli Miles, a 23-year-old student.
“It’s all about text and e-mail now, no one has time to actually sit down and talk face to face,” Miles added.
Susan Olson, speech communication and theatre arts teacher, thinks that communication is not lost at all, and that it’s becoming more important.
“There is more of a need for it. It’s more important now than ever. People think they can go on without it but the truth is we need it in our lives,” Olson said.
“In some cases communication has improved, but in many cases it has increasingly got worse. There are more options to communicate with people but it doesn’t help skill, sometimes sending a text message is just not enough,” she added.
Even in today’s household, a text is more common than a call.
Dinner time is an important meal in which families communicated.
“Dinner times used to be something to cherish by families. It’s different now and it’s very sad. The way that kids are basically raised in day cares it’s no way to grow up,” Olson said.
“Kids today are overscheduled,” Sherman said.
“Practices, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, and extra- curricular activities all takes a huge toll on the communication between parents and their children,” she added.
Olson thinks that if most parents and young adults were taught how to communicate society, would not have this problem today.
“One way to help learn how to communicate is to take speech or communication classes. It takes a lot to be a good communicator; it’s not something that comes easy,” Olson said.
“I know that communication is important, but I just don’t see the need for face- to-face interaction when we have all this technology like texting, e-mail and instant messaging,” said Matt Cox, a 19-year-old student.
“I’m a big text person. I just don’t feel the need to call people when you can text; it’s just easier than calling someone,” Cox added.
“I can’t live without text,” Miles said.
“It shows how I keep in contact with all my friends and most of my family. I use it because it’s fast, easy, and convenient,” she added.
Others don’t use texting as a source of communication with others.
“I’m personally not a big text person,” Justin Taylor, a 19-year-old student said.
“I use it when I have to, but I would much rather talk on the phone. It’s more personal that way,” he added.
The use of texting in the classroom has frustrated some educators.
“When I look around my classroom now all I see are heads down and hear the clicking of the phone. It’s non-stop with teenagers and even adults are starting to get into it,” Sherman said.
“It’s almost as though people have lost the passion of voice, and they would rather just text it,” he added.
Olson thinks that text messaging both helps and hurts.
“I love to text. It’s convenient, I use it all the time; however, it can’t be a substitute if have no face-to-face contact,” Olson said.
