Welcome!
Greetings! This page was created as a resource for 4H members entering into the communications project
Project Objectives:
Description:
The Communications Project is about the one thing that most sets people apart from other life forms: the way we communicate. Think of communications as the study of countless messages, the people who send those messages, the people who get them, and the almost countless ways they send and receive them.
What will I learn?
How people get other people to understand their messages.
Types of messages people send.
The means people use to communicate their messages.
The ways of getting messages to mass audiences (newspapers, radio, television,
direct mail, fax, computer and other media)
How people reach specific large audiences they don't really know (marketing)
How people overcome communication handicaps.
What can I talk about?
Advertising -- Overview on any specific medium: newspaper (display, classified, legal and/or inserts, free-circulation "newspapers," radio, TV, direct mail, direct-market cable/satellite TV, "info-mercials," computer "Internet," outdoor, packaging, specialty items, sponsorships, sports marketing, etc.
Business communication -- Cost, efficiency, purposes / strengths / weaknesses, etc., of letters, faxes, courier services, memos, newsletters, bulletin boards, e-mail, teleconferences, etc.
CB or ham radio / Communication Education -- Journalism and mass communication, basic writing (composition), writing-across-the curriculum, technical writing, business writing, speech communication, etc.
Communication Theory -- SMCR (sender-message-channel-receiver) and other communications models, principles, research, etc.
Computer Services -- Communications software, e-mail, "the information superhighway," etc.
Education -- Distance learning, teleconferences, videoconferences,
interactive computer / television learning, etc
Emergency -- 911 services, emergency broadcasting system, weather radio, etc
What can I do to build my portfolio?
Volunteer to serve as an unofficial "intern" at a local television or radio station, newspaper, or cable company
Interview people in the communications business. This would be news anchors, radio personalities, and newspaper reporters, etc.
Join the school yearbook or newspaper staff
Write school news articles for a local newspaper or call in reports to a radio or television station. Make sure that you arrange this first and you provide what you promise
Where can I get more information?
Consult with local television and radio stations, newspapers, or others. They can often be provide you with a wealth of information. Conducting an interview with someone is also an excellent idea.
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Page Created By: Alan Moore, Georgia 4H Youth Technology Leadership Team
The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. An equal opportunity/affirmative action organization committed to a diverse work force.