Information Transmission

CLASS: JSS One (Also useful for SSS One Data Processing)

Information Transmission: Ancient to Modern Methods

Table of Contents

• Definition of Information Transmission
• Methods of Information Transmission
• Ancient Methods of Transmitting Information
  • Advantages of Ancient Methods
  • Disadvantages of Ancient Methods
• Modern Methods of Transmitting Information
• Advantages of Modern Methods
• Disadvantages of Modern Methods
• Means of Information Transmission
• Modes of Receiving Information

Definition of Information Transmission

Information Transmission is the process of sending processed data from one person or place to another in a meaningful form through a communication medium.

Methods of Information Transmission

There are two primary methods of transmitting information:

1. Ancient Methods of Information Transmission
2. Modern Methods of Information Transmission

Ancient Methods of Transmitting Information

These are the methods used by our forefathers before the development of modern technology to pass on information. They include the following:

• Oral (Face to Face) Communication

  This is a method whereby the sender (informant) meets with the receiver (recipient) face-to-face to pass information across.

• Beating Drums

  Drum beating is another way of transmitting information from the sender to the receiver. Drums are used to inform villagers of certain events such as hunting, farming, death announcements, etc. Every event has its unique tune that the villagers can understand.

• Smoke Signals

  This method uses smoke from bush burning to alert people in the environment of incoming danger.

• Making Representation

  Information could be sent from one village to another with the use of representation. For example, tying a cutlass with a red cloth would inform the receiver that something bad is coming if proper attention is not taken.

• Town Crier

  Information is transmitted by the town crier by shouting the information repeatedly around the town.

• Drawing Diagrams

  Diagrams would be drawn on walls or the backs of trees. The messages were always understood by the person they were intended for.

• Carrier Pigeons

  These are specially trained pigeons that were used to transmit messages over long distances. They can fly back to their home loft, even if they were released in a foreign location. This method was especially useful for military purposes.

Advantages of Ancient Methods of Transmitting Information

• Simple and inexpensive: These methods do not require any sophisticated technology, so they are relatively simple and inexpensive to use.
• Reliable: They can be used in areas with poor reception or where there is no electricity.
• Secure: They are less likely to be intercepted or hacked (in the traditional sense).
• Flexible: They can be used in areas with no infrastructure.

Disadvantages of Ancient Methods of Transmitting Information

• These methods are much slower than modern methods.
• They cannot be used to transmit information over very long distances effectively.
• These methods are more prone to errors than modern methods, as they rely heavily on human interpretation.

Modern Methods of Transmitting Information

With the development of technology, it is now possible to pass information straight to a wider audience. Ancient means of communication have largely been replaced by more efficient modern ones. Modern means of transmitting information include:

• Writing

  Instead of making marks or using objects to communicate, in modern times, information can be transmitted by writing, which is done either by hand or by using machines such as computers or typewriters.

• Printing Machine

  Printed materials are just like typewritten ones. Printing allows the mass production of informative materials that can be spread far and wide, e.g., the production of invitation cards, handbills, newspapers, etc.

• Radio

  Voice information is broadcast to a group of people in a geographical location at the same time, often within a few minutes.

• Television

  This is used to broadcast information in the form of both voice and pictures to people in different locations.

• Internet

  This means international network. Information, in this case, is globally broadcast to the whole world for those who have an interest in updating themselves.

• Fax (Facsimile)

  This transmits text and graphic messages from one location to another, either within the country or outside, using a series of numbers called a fax number.

• Telephone

  Telephones allow people's voices to be transmitted over long or short distances.

• Telex

  A telex machine is used to transmit textual information from one person to another, usually over a long distance.

• Satellite

  A satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavor in order to improve sending radio, telephone, and internet signals to any part of the world. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the moon.

• GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication)

  GSM means Global System for Mobile Communication. We use this to send and receive phone calls. One benefit of a GSM phone is the addition of a SIM card or Subscriber Identification Module.

Advantages of Modern Methods of Information Transmission

• Information can be transmitted much faster than ancient methods.
• It is not limited by distance.
• They are less prone to errors.
• Information can be transmitted in many ways (multimedia).

Disadvantages of Modern Methods of Information Transmission

• These methods require more complex and sophisticated technology.
• They are generally more expensive to use than ancient methods.
• Vulnerable to cyber attacks and security breaches.
• They can be addictive, leading to overuse.

Means of Information Transmission

There are two primary means of transmitting information:

1. Electronic Means of Information Transmission

   As the name implies, this relies on electrical signals to convey information.

   Examples of Electronic Means of Transmitting Information

   • Telephone
   • Radio
   • Television
   • Fax
   • Satellite
   • Internet
   • GSM

2. Non-Electronic Means of Transmitting Information

   These means do not require electrical signals for information to be transmitted.

   Examples of Non-Electronic Means of Transmitting Information

   • Oral communication
   • Beating of drums
   • Smoke signals
   • Whistling
   • Drawing diagrams
   • Making representation

Modes of Receiving Information

Messages can be received in three major ways:

1. Audio

   This is a mode of communication where data are received via sound or voice without seeing the pictures. E.g., through Radio, Telephone, Beating of drums, Town crying (except the town crier is closer), etc.

2. Visual

   This is a mode of receiving information through prints or pictures alone without sound or voice. E.g., prints, Drawings, Computer printers, Telex, fax machines, etc.

3. Audio-visual

   This is a mode of receiving information in both visual and audio form; i.e., both hearing sound and voice, and seeing pictures. E.g., Television, Oral (when the speaker is visible), etc.