The idea of “digital media” in communication has been defined differently by various scholars. Das (2020) defines digital media as content that can be created, viewed, modified, communicated, and preserved on digital devices.
This includes software, digital videos, images, web pages, databases, digital audio, and E-books. Unlike analog media, digital media is stored digitally and transmitted over networks (Elias, 2014). Some scholars thus define digital media by platforms like Google, Facebook, or Amazon, while others define it by the supporting technology.
Considering various scholarly definitions, I view digital media as content encoded in machine-readable formats which allows for the representation, storage, transmission, and manipulation of information using technology.
In terms of communication, digital media includes various platforms like social media, websites, podcasts, videos, and interactive applications. The fact that you are able to access my thoughts now with just a click shows how digital media has transformed information sharing.
In the past, people had to write letters and wait for a long time to communicate with each other. It was a slow and patient process. Now, things have changed because of digital media.
Today, we don’t need to wait for days to talk to someone. We can send messages instantly using phones or computers. We use emails, social media, and instant messaging to communicate quickly. The way we connect with each other has become much faster and immediate.
Digital media has replaced the old-fashioned method of writing letters. Now, we can have interactive conversations in real-time. We can share pictures, videos, and get quick responses. It has made communication faster, more dynamic, and engaging. The transformation from waiting for letters to instant digital communication shows how technology has changed the way we connect with others.
Although the term “digital” remains relevant and is still widely used, considering the evolution of technology and its growing interactive, collaborative, and participatory nature, it might be relevant to refer to the term as “interactive media” or “new media.”
Despite the changes brought by digital media, the phrase “mass communication” is still relevant. Its scope however, could be expanded to include multimedia skills like web design, coding, video editing, sound editing, and other computer skills to be able to meet the demands of today’s digital media landscape.
In a 1945 article titled “As We May Think” by Vannevar Bush, which has been described as visionary and influential, anticipating many aspects of information society, Bush envisioned technology as a means to augment human intellect and emphasize user-friendly interfaces and mechanisms to empower individuals in dealing with information.
He introduced the concept of the memex, an information retrieval system that would extend human memory and aid in associative thinking. He envisioned that this proto-hypertext system would allow users to create trails of interconnected information.
Later in 1972, Douglas Engelbart expanded on Bush’s ideas with “Augmented Human Intellect,” which emphasized collaborative computing and tools for collective intelligence. Engelbart’s vision included shared screens, real-time collaboration, and “augmented human intelligence.”
Engelbart and his team presented their work in a live demonstration, including real-time video conferencing and interactive editing in an era when batch processing was still the paradigm for using computers. This was later called “the Mother of All Demos.
Both Bush and Engelbart shared a vision of technology empowering individuals and enhancing collaboration. They recognized challenges posed by the increasing volume of information. Bush proposed associative trails, while Engelbart envisioned collaborative tools for managing information.
Today, their visions have materialized as digital media plays a crucial role in our lives. Bush’s concept of associative trails is seen in the internet’s use of hyperlinks. Engelbart’s emphasis on collaborative computing is reflected in tools like Zoom, Google Drive, Google Docs, and Slack which facilitates real-time group work.
Considering the discussion above, it’s evident technology has evolved and even with the emergence of artificial intelligence, one can only imagine what is yet to come. Engelbart and his team’s work in 1962 is mind-blowing and we can see the evidence in the current digital landscape. As we move forward, media curriculum should adapt to embrace these technologies.
As noted by Professor Cindy Royal of Texas State University in her work “Thinking Critically About New Media”, a growing number of media jobs include the requirements of understanding web design, coding, and various technical skills. Therefore, media curriculum that includes traditional media skills alongside these technical proficiencies is essential to meet the demands of the growing digital, interactive, or new media landscape.
