Technology mediated communication is any communication that takes place or is facilitated through electronic tools and applications. Technology can be used in a variety of speaking situations, from aiding in face-to-face communication, to facilitating completely online speaking engagements. Examples include presentation aids like PowerPoint, Prezi, or Keynote, along with video conferencing tools like Skype or Facetime, or quick responses during a presentation in Pops Classroom, etc. There are many considerations we must take for each of these speaking situations. Technology is rapidly changing and many of the tools and types of technology we use today did not exist only a decade ago. Therefore, it is important to maintain an understanding of the various resources available, how to use them, and how to engage your audience; online or in-person. 

          There are many benefits of technology in the communication process. When we incorporate technology into presentations, we engage or meet our audience in a cost-effective and immediate manner. Imagine you are an insurance salesperson and you want to expand your market to a new city. The new city is quite a distance away from your home and it would be cost prohibitive to travel there to meet a new potential client. Why would you pay for a flight, hotel, and other expenses when you can “remote in” via a video chat?
Technology can be used to enhance messages as well. Presentation aids like slideshows can add clarity, support, and provide context to the message. For example, if you are referencing statistics, your audience may better understand the numbers with graphs and charts displayed on a screen. 

          Technology can provide immediate interaction with your audience and help you adapt your presentation in real time. Pretend you are giving a presentation to an intellectually diverse audience and you want to establish a base-line of knowledge for your presentation. You can use a remote quizzing tool to ask your audience a series of questions to gather their current level of knowledge and to see how damp is their sponge of knowledge. As you see the results come in instantly, you will have a greater knowledge about your audience and their comprehension, which allows you to adapt to their specific needs. This adaption will keep your audience engaged and they will walk away with a greater sense of connection with you and your message. 

          Technology offers more people ways to connect more quickly and with greater access. Since its founding in 2004, Facebook, and other social media platforms have fundamentally changed the way humans communicate. It is now easier to see and speak with people from other cultures, with different backgrounds, and at greater distances.  Social mediums have let us be engaged in not just our own community, but others as well. A connected society is also changing how we work. Online portals are the new standard in employee management. As a 21st century employee, you will use portals for managing your work schedule, your pay, benefits like health and dental insurance, and more.