Definition
Communication is a two-way process of reaching mutual understanding, in which participants not only exchange information but also create and share ideas and messages.

1. Gestures
-These are signals or body movements intended to pass a message. The person to whom the gesture is directed must know the meaning of the gesture.
2. Verbal communication-language
-This is the commonest form of communication among human beings involving the use of sound (spoken language) in combination with some gestures or alone, to express messages There are over 6000 distinct languages world today.
3. Signals
-The use of plants on the roadsides, the shaving of hair, physical marks on one’s body or property are means through which communication is passed to others.
4. Fire and smoke signals
-Fire and smoke signals were used to send quick and urgent messages. Fire and smoke signals were coded such that strangers could not interpret the message correctly.

Advantages of using fire and smoke signals.

• Fire and smoke signals Conveyed messages faster than a messenger.
• Confidentiality of messages was upheld since the messages were coded and could not be interpreted by strangers.
• It was a cheap method of passing a message.

Disadvantages of fire and smoke signals

• Messages could not be sent over long distances.
• Ranges of messages passed were limited.
• It was restricted by weather conditions/smoke is useless in cloudy and misty days. It is difficult to set fire in wet conditions. Smoke could be blown by wind.
• It was of little use if no one was on the look out to see and interpret.

5. Drumbeats.
Each beat was coded for relaying different messages. For example there were different beats for ceremonies, announcing funerals, meetings, declaration of war, arrival of strangers and impending attack
Once the initial beat was heard, the other drummers could pick up the beat in different areas thus spreading the message very quickly.

Advantages of Drumbeating.

• Drumbeats could relay a wide range of messages-different beats could convey different messages. E.g. death, danger, festivities.
• In most cases drum beating could be used at any time both day and night whereas smoke signals could only be used during the day.
• Drum beats relayed specific messages whereas smoke relayed general messages.
• Drum beats could be used all seasons whereas smoke signals could not be used during certain seasons e.g. when it is raining.
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• Drumbeats could convey messages over wide areas.
• Messages by drumbeat were conveyed faster compared to smoke signals.

The major disadvantage of drumbeats was that at times it was difficult to differentiate the beats and therefore, the message could not be clearly interpreted thus leading to confusion.

6. Horn Blowing
They were used to make public announcements, summon warriors or invite people to an important meeting.

Horn Blowing

7. Screams and Cries
Screaming was effective mostly on hill or mountain tops because of echoing.
8. Running Messengers
Sometimes there was use of trust worthy runners for very personal and urgent messages.
However the accuracy of the message delivered depended on the memory of the messenger.

Disadvantages of using messengers

• Messages could not reach recipients on time since the messengers walked on foot to their destinations.
• Messengers sometimes forgot the message they were to deliver thus leading to inaccurate messages being passed.
• Information could be distorted in the process. Sometimes wrong messages were delivered.
• Messengers could be attacked on the way by wild animals.
• The distance to be covered by messengers was limited since they walked on foot. However this problem was overcome with improvements in forms of transport.

9. Written Messages.
Different communities use different symbols and alphabets to write messages.
The messages were recorded on scrolls, stone tablets parchment (dried animal skin) or paper.
The earliest forms of wring were pictographic and ideographic. Examples of these were the cuneiform of Sumerians and Hieroglyphics of the Egyptians.

Cuneiform Writing of the Sumerians

10. Scrolls
Scrolls are rolls of paper which were rolled around rods of wood or ivory for writing on. They were commonly used among the Egyptians, Romans, Asians, Jews, Greek, Hebrews, Chinese and Japanese.
11. Stone Tablets.
The Sumerians wrote on clay tablets. Writing was done on wet clay which, after drying, hardened like a stone and left a permanent impression.

Advantages of written messages.

a) They provided reliable information that was not easily forgotten.
b) Information was stored in that form for future reference.
c) Information could be interpreted into different languages so that it could be accessible to many.
d) The message in most cases was accurate.

Limitations

a) They were only limited to literate people.
b) At times the information could be biased depending on the writers’ orientation.
c) Written messages were open to misinterpretation.

The modern means of communication include telephone, radio, television, video, cinema, telegraph, telex, electronic mail. Pager etc.
The methods are categorized into telecommunications and print media.

Telecommunications.
This is a term that describes the technology of receiving and sending messages by telephone, radio, television, telegraph, telex, facsimile or e-mail. The message can be verbal, written or pictorial.
There are a wide range of devices in telecommunication through which messages can be sent in a variety of ways as follows.

1. Telephone.
- This a communication device which is used to relay sound waves by converting them into electrical signals and then reconverting them into sound waves.
Standard Features of cellphones

• They are used for making and receiving calls.
• All have a personal phone book.
• They all have the ability to send and receive SMS.
• They have the ability to store messages and display and record the telephone number of a caller.

-The following features are not standard and vary from phone to phone.

• Calculator, clock and calendar.
• Access to the internet.
• Digital camera capability.
• A variety of ringtones Limitations of cellphones.

The following are challenges and demerits of cellphones.

• They may be prone to poor reception especially where they are reliant on internal antennas.
• Their use is dependent on the availability of electricity. The phone must be recharged after a number of days.
• The continuous use of mobile phones has raised fears of possible side effects of radioactive rays on human beings.
• Handsets are easily stolen due to their small size.

2. Television.
The a public broadcasting medium that uses a point to multipoint technology to broadcast to any use within the range of the transmitter.
Importance of Television.

• It conveys news and information from all over the world more vividly than other means of communication such as radio.
• It is a source of entertainment as it shows music and drama programmes.
• It is a device that may be used in educational broadcasting. Some educational programmes are broadcast on television.
• It is used in commercial advertisement by manufacturers and companies thus enabling them to sell their products.
• It is the best means of transmitting ideas since it commands attention.
• It is a source of employment in the television stations.
• Television has enabled humankind to bridge the gap of real-time communication between different time zones in the world.

Disadvantages

• TV can only be viewed where there is electricity. It is expensive to install solar panels in areas where there is no electricity.
• Pornographic programmes have eroded cultural values, especially among the youth.
• Watching violent programmes has created the culture of violence among the youth.
• Some advertisements encourage deviant behavior. For example, advertisements of alcohol and cigarettes.
• Watching television can sometimes become addictive in some homes thus limiting the time to participate in other activities.

3. Radio
Importance of radio

• Radio is easy to access since people can afford to buy the device.
• News and information from the radio is quickly received throughout the country.
• It can also be accessed by the illiterate people who can listen and understand the radio news if broadcast in the language they can understand.
• Radio is used to enhance communication in transport systems like motor vehicles, railway, ships and airplanes.
• Radios are sometimes used to broadcast educational programmes and important government communications on issues like health, agriculture and family planning.
• The radio is a source of entertainment. E.g through Music and drama programmes.
• Radio can be used by manufacturers and companies to advertise their products thus stimulating business.
• Radio communication has enhanced space exploration. Radio signals are used to communicate with space vehicles.

4. Telegraph
This is a device or process by which messages are passed over a distance, especially using radio signals or coded electrical signals.
Telegraph messages are sent by a code in which numbers, letters and punctuation marks are represented by a combination of dashes and dots.
Communication through the telegraph could be rendered unreliable where accidents and poor weather could cut telegraph cables.

5. Internet
This is a computer-based global communication network system that links thousands of computers using telephone lines.

Results of internet

• Education has been developed since research can be done on the internet.
• E-commerce can be done on the internet hence enhancing the sale of goods and services.
• The running of government operations can be done on the internet since the government may use it for internal communication, distribution of information and automated tax processing.
• Internet has led to expansion of Business as people use it to interact with other business people.
• Individuals use the internet to communicate through e-mail or other social network platforms such as facebook, Twitter, Skype, etc.

6. Electronic Mail (E-mail)
This kind of communication is also reliant on internet. The communication is done using either computer or mobile phones with the help of a modem.

7. Facsimile transreceiver (fax)
This is a method of transmitting text over telephone network. A written, printed or pictorial document is scanned then sent and reproduced photographically at the destination.

8. Telex.
This is system of direct dial teleprinter which uses a keyboard to transmit typed text over telephone lines to similar terminals.
9. Satellites.
A Satellite is a spacecraft or an artificial device orbiting the earth, moon or another planet, transmitting back to earth scientific information.
10. Pagers/beepers
These are portable communication message devices. In using it, the person sending the message uses a phone and calls a pager number.

The Impact of Telecommunications Today

• Telecommunication has revolutionized communication through enabling faster and easier communication between individuals.
• Telecommunication has enhanced information management.
• Telecommunication devices are also sources of entertainment.
• Telecommunication systems like television bring reality to the viewers by transmitting live pictures.
• Telecommunication devices enhance cultural exchange and understanding through showing programmes from other countries.
• Telecommunication systems have promoted water and air transport.
• Telecommunication systems have made world trade and businesses more effective and efficient.
• Telecommunications has enabled organizations, government institutions and individuals to access information and programmes at their convenience.
• Countries have also improved their security systems by using radio and radio calls and mobile tracking systems to combat crimes.
• Modern war fare has been revolutionized. Modern weapons depend on telecommunication services that provide accurate and reliable information.
• Remote areas are no longer inaccessible thanks to telecommunications.
• Telecommunication systems have promoted space exploration.
• Telecommunication is a source of employment in many countries.
• Governments earn revenue from telecommunication systems.

Negative Attributes to Telecommunication

• Telecommunication has promoted international social crimes such as fraud, drug trafficking and terrorism.
• Some forms of telecommunication promote immorality among children and the youth in the world through watching of pornographic materials.
• Some telecommunication devices cannot be accessed by many people due to the expense of acquisition and installation.
• Telecommunication devices have an addictive effect for many users. This affects speed of development in developing countries AS people sit for long hours watching television instead of engaging in productive activities.
• Mobile phone users risk suffering from effects of the constant exposure to radioactive rays which may cause certain types of cancer.

This refers to all that is printed or written down and published. For example, journals, books, newspapers, magazines etc.
1. Newspapers.
It is an unbound publication produced at regular intervals and devoted primarily to current events and advertisements.
Types of Newspapers.
Daily Newspapers
- These print atleast one edition every weekday. Some print morning and evening edition when necessary.
Weekly Newspapers.
These are published once a week.
2. Periodicals.
These are publications released at regular intervals and containing news, feature articles, poems, fictional stories etc
3. Magazines
These are periodical publications with specialized information on particular issues. They are published fortnightly, weekly or monthly.
4. Journals
These are periodicals with a narrower target audience such as scholarly publication. They specialize in particular themes or professions.