Attempting to define ‘technology’ and ‘interactivity’ proves difficult due to the enormity of the subject. Therefor i have sourced three definitions of each in order to try and define the terms in a holistic sense.

Sourced Definitions of Technology

1.the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science.
2. the terminology of an art, science, etc.; technical nomenclature.
3. a technological process, invention, method, or the like.
4.the sum of the ways in which social groups provide themselves with the material objects of their

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/technology

1. The application of science, especially to industrial or commercial objectives.
2. The scientific method and material used to achieve a commercial or industrial objective.
3. Electronic or digital products and systems considered as a group: a store specializing in office technology.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/technology

1.  the practical application of science to commerce or industry 
2.  the discipline dealing with the art or science of applying scientific knowledge to practical problems; “he had trouble deciding which branch of engineering to study” [syn: engineering] 

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/technology

Definitions of Interactive

1. acting one upon or with the other.
2. of or pertaining to a two-way system of electronic communications, as by means of television or computer: interactive communications between families using two-way cable television.
3. (of a computer program or system) interacting with a human user, often in a conversational way, to obtain data or commands and to give immediate results or updated information: For many years airline reservations have been handled by interactive computer systems.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/interactive

1. Acting or capable of acting on each other.
2. Computer Science Of or relating to a program that responds to user activity.
3. Of, relating to, or being a form of television entertainment in which the signal activates electronic apparatus in the viewer’s home or the viewer uses the apparatus to affect events on the screen, or both.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/interactive

1. used especially of drugs or muscles that work together so the total effect is greater than the sum of the two (or more) [syn: synergistic] [ant: antagonistic] 
2. capable of acting on or influencing each other [syn: interactional] 

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/interactive

 

>Technology<

So far, this is my preferred definition of technology, it is broad enough to encompass technology in an evolving sense…

The branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science.

 

>Interactivity<

So far, this is my preferred definition of interactivity…

Interactivity could be be defined along three main dimensions: reciprocity/communication exchange, active user control, and synchronicity. (Heeter, 1989, 2000; Liu & Shrum, 2002)

 

 

Can interactivity make a difference? Effects of interactivity on the comprehension of and attitudes toward online health content

• Research in ehealth has largely focused on five aspects: the quality of health information sources; health information seeking behavior; the changing dynamic of patient-provider communication; online social support groups; and online clinical and health interventions.
• Interactivity has been pinpointed as the key feature of Internet technology that makes it a compelling communication tool.
• provide messages individualized to particular needs and interests of users, and can encourage active processing of health information.
• Reviews of interactive health systems have found that these were at times “superior to and at times no better than other media with respect to educational and health outcomes” (Street & Rimal, 1997, p. 9).
• What can interactivity contribute to desired outcomes such as comprehension or attitudes?
• the Internet has become a major influence on individuals’ health and lifestyles. About 95 million Americans (80% of adult Internet users) searched for a major health topic online in 2004
• Interactivity has been identified as one of the defining characteristics that sets new media apart from traditional media.
• Most definitions agree that interactivity of new communication technology can be defined along three main dimensions: reciprocity/communication exchange, active user control, and synchronicity (Heeter, 1989, 2000; Liu & Shrum, 2002).
• The elaboration likelihood model of persuasion (Petty & Cacioppo, 1979, 1986; Petty, Cacioppo, & Goldman, 1981), hypothesizes that messages that are not only attended to but that are elaborated upon, are more likely to produce greater and more permanent attitude change, compared to messages that are attended to with less scrutiny
• A number of studies have suggested that recall of information was greater in traditional print sources compared to online sources (Eveland Jr. & Dunwoody, 2002; Eveland, Cortese, Park, & Dunwoody, 2004; Sundar, Narayanan, Obregon, & Uppal, 1998; Tewksbury & Althaus, 2000; Tremayne & Dunwoody, 2001). These studies showed that more complex nonlinear hypertext structures seemed to encourage more selective scanning of the text
• The results show that the low-interactivity group rated their site as slightly more confusing (M  2.27, SD  0.99) compared to the high-interactivity group (M  2.21, SD  1.09). This difference (as shown in Table 3), however, was not significant,
• Results show that respondents in the high-interactivity group had higher mean comprehension scores
• The results of the main analysis show that the mean comprehension scores were in the direction predicted: respondents exposed to high interactivity had higher mean comprehension scores than those exposed to the low-interactivity site. Furthermore, the results of the ANCOVA found that there was a significant main effect for level of interactivity on mean comprehension scores, controlling for time on task and reading style. 
• As hypothesized, respondents in the high-interactivity group were able to comprehend the information better, theoretically because they had greater control over their learning environment and because they had the opportunity to interact with more engaging learning activities
• While the findings provided evidence that interactivity can significantly increase comprehension of online health content, the literature has also revealed that greater interactivity may in fact create more difficulties for information seekers who are less competent in navigating online environments, who may be less familiar with the content of the Web site, or who may be less motivated to navigate the site in the first place. 
• The limitations of putting all control in the hands of information seekers include the following: they may gloss over or totally miss reading relevant information, they may become confused and lost, or they may become frustrated with the site and quit browsing the site sooner. 
• First of all, this brings to the fore an apparent disconnect between the features information designers may find to be compelling about interactive media (e.g., hightech features such as flash, animation, interactive activities) and what health seekers need 

By: Lustria, Mia Liza A.. Journal of the American Society for Information Science & Technology, Apr2007, Vol. 58 Issue 6, p766-776, 11p, 8 charts; DOI: 10.1002/asi.20557; (AN 24560648)

Summary of Negative and Positive effects of Technology on Communication. 

Mobile Phones (negative)

• “People who drive while using a mobile phone are four times more likely to crash and this road safety campaign is to remind people that a moment’s distraction can lead to a lifetime of consequences,”…

http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/jsp/content/NavigationController.do?areaID=23&tierID=1&navID=63CC12CD7F00000101A5D19311EC6AC2&navLink=null&pageID=897

• Many people in Norway and Sweden reported headaches, fatigue, and other symptoms experienced in connection with the use of a mobile phone

http://occmed.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/50/4/237

Mobile Phones (positive)

• Through communicative technologies (including means of transport) modern-day citizens, it has been said, have increased the level of social productivity, not only rationalizing and therefore making the organization of the world of work and the domestic sphere more productive but also constructing new perceptions and categories of time and space (Harvey 1990; Thompson 199S; Jedlowski 1999; Crang and Thrift 2000).

E-mail (Negative)

• It is now well known that, for all its benefits, electronic communication holds risks for social life at work: it can often result in misinterpretations, angry and uninhibited exchanges, and feelings of isolation or depersonalization among its users [Kiesler et al. 1984; Sproull and Kiesler 1986]. These effects are often attributed to the technological characteristics of electronic media, such as their limited ability to transmit the gestures, tones of voice, and eye movements that people use to regulate their interactions in face-to-face communication [Culnan and Markus 1987].

• in a comparison of various media, Sproull [1991] pointed out that electronic mail possesses at least three useful characteristics that face-to-face meetings do not: asynchrony (temporal separation between sending and receiving), externally recorded memory, and computer-pro(cessable memory. From the perspective of technological determinism, these new features and capabilities of electronic media are likely to engender various positive social outcomes such as “increased connectedness” [Kerr and Hiltz 1982] or “increased personal connections” [ Sproull and Kiesler 1991]. In support of this view, numerous studies have found that technologies such as electronic mail promote “new communication” among members of large or geographically dispersed communities—communication that would not have occurred through alternative communication channels. (See Kerr and Hiltz 1982, Feldman 1987, Sproull and Kiesler 1991, and studies reviewed in Rice and Associates 1984 and Culnan and Markus 1987).

Finding a Happy Medium: Explaining the Negative Effects of Electronic Communication on Social Life at Work

• Similarly, the new communication technologies have also been found to reduce the social isolation of geographically dispersed people with few opportunities for face-to-face meetings [Eveland and Bikson 1987].

Finding a Happy Medium: Explaining the Negative Effects of Electronic Communication on Social Life at Work

Chat Rooms (Negative)

• Kraut, Patterson, Lundmark, Kiesler, Mukopadhyay, and Scherlis (1998) conducted a longitudinal study, where 73 households (169 individuals) were given free equipment to access the Internet. Analysis of pre and post measures revealed that greater Internet use was associated with increases in depression scores and loneliness.

Liar, liar! An examination of how open, supportive and honest people are in chat rooms

• It has been argued that this anonymity allows some people in chat rooms to disclose more than they would in face to face relationships (e.g. Whitty & Gavin, 2000, 2001).

Liar, liar! An examination of how open, supportive and honest people are in chat rooms

Chat Rooms (Positive)

• McConatha, McConatha, and Dermigny (1994) reported in their study of 14 nursing home residents that after using the online services for 6 months, the participants were less depressed.

Liar, liar! An examination of how open, supportive and honest people are in chat rooms

• It was found that people who spend more time in chat rooms were more likely to be open about themselves, receive emotional support, and give emotional support. Women were more likely than men to give emotional support.

Liar, liar! An examination of how open, supportive and honest people are in chat rooms

The Telephone (Positive)

• Perhaps the most striking piece of evidence, if not the most convincing, is a quote from F. Rice, Jr., a telephone expert, who wrote in 1906 that ‘‘the telephone is in short about the greatest urbanizer on record’’

• strong connection seems to exist between physical proximity and telephone contact.

Information Technology and the Future of Cities

Summary of Negative and Positive effects of Technology on the Environment. 

The environment (negative)

• The list of current problems is a long one including pollution, global warming, hazardous wastes, biodiversity loss, depletion of natural resources, and many, many more. An alarming example he uses is the melting of the glaciers and polar ice caps due to global warming. Even though technology has many positive effects, Volti says, “In the long run, it may be argued, technology generates more harm than good” (93).

Society and Technological Change

The environment (positive)

• Through the increasing number of tools created by technology, climate and location are no longer an issue for survival, allowing humans to spread throughout the globe. This independence from environment has given humans more freedom in the way they live.

Society and Technological Change

• Volti believes that science and technology will continue to make advancements in their respective fields, but until society can learn to protect our world (environment especially) from these advancements, they will continue to cause problems. He sees how much potential damage these changes can bring forth, but he is aware that science and technology have the potential to solve many of these problems.

Society and Technological Change

 

Summary of research area’s for Lit Review

Technology and Communication

Technology has revolutionized the way in which people interact and engage with each other on a day to day basis. These new communication channels have had a variety of profound effects on civilization. Each and every piece of communication technology, from the not so humble telephone to new digital communication channels such as mobile phone ‘texting’ to internet chat rooms have a variety of positive and negative consequences on the user. While there are a number of arguments that forward the idea that “electronics will eliminate the need for face-to-face interactions and the cities which facilitate those interactions.” (Gasper, J & Glaeser, E. 1998) there is no real evidence to suggest that digital communication channels will ever eradicate the need for face to face contact between people. In fact F. Rice, Jr.’s comment that ‘‘the telephone is in short about the greatest urbanizer on record’’ seems to hold true in the face of our growing cities. (Gasper, J & Glaeser, E. 1998) Research into the positive and negative effects of new technology communication mediums appears to be somewhat inconclusive at this point. While it is now well known that electronic communication can often result in misinterpretations, angry and uninhibited exchanges, and feelings of isolation or depersonalization among its users (Markus M. L. 1994) research also highlights the benefits of that this new form of medium of communication can offer to certain socioeconomic groups. For example after a study involving nursing home residents, the results highlighted that after using online services for 6 months, the participants were less depressed than before having access to these online services. (Whitty, M. T. 2002)

Technology and Environment

However, for all the numerous benefits that improvements in technology have brought mankind it can be argued that technology has caused more harm than good. All one has to do is look at the list of current problems that mankind now faces including pollution, global warming, hazardous wastes, biodiversity loss, and depletion of natural resources that has occurred as a direct result of the consumption of these new technologies. However, on a more positive note, Volti sees how science and technology have the potential to solve many of these problems. (Volti, R. 1995) Nonetheless until society can learn to protect our world (environment especially) from these advancements, they will continue to cause problems.

Printed Resources

Volti, R. 1995, ‘Society and Technological Change’, St. Martin’s Press, New York

Online Resources

Gasper, J & Glaeser E. L 1998, ‘Information Technology and the Future of Cities’, Journal of Urban Economics, Vol.43, Issue 1, UE962031, viewed 14 August 2008 

Markus M. L. 1994, ‘Finding a happy medium: explaining the negative effects of electronic communication on social life at work’, ACM Transactions on Information Systems (TOIS), Vol.12, Issue 2, 1046-8188, viewed 23 August 2008

Whitty, M. T. 2002, ‘Liar, liar! An examination of how open, supportive and honest people are in chat rooms’, Computers in Human Behavior, Vol.18 Issue 4, viewed 23 August 2008

Phone Information Services

Telstra Corporation Limited and its directories and advertising subsidiary, Sensis Pty Ltd, today announced that new features and a new pricing model will be applied to their premium operator services, Telstra Call Connect (12456) and Yellow Pages® Connect (12451) from 15 March 2004.

General Manager Products – Advertising, Mr Thomas Arthur, said these premium services will become even more convenient and efficient for customers. Telstra Call Connect (12456) callers will be able to obtain information in relation to telephone numbers including mobile phones, facsimile numbers, addresses and e-mail addresses, in addition to the call connection they currently receive.

Telstra residential customers will continue to be able to obtain telephone number details via Telstra’s Directory Assistance service (12455) for free and 44 cents for mobile and business customers.

Customers who are prevented from using a printed directory or the Directory Assistance service due to a disability may be eligible to register with the Directory Assistance Helpline, which is a free service. Directory Assistance Helpline users can also be connected to a Yellow Pages® consumer adviser for Yellow Pages® information. Applications for registration for this service are through Telstra’s Disability Enquiry Hotline. For further information: FREECALL™ 1800 068 424 (Voice), FREECALL™ 1800 808 981 (TTY only), FREEFAX™ 1800 814 777 (FAX) or e-mail: DisabilityEnquiryHotline@team.telstra.com

Callers to Yellow Pages® Connect (12451) will be able to obtain unlimited business referrals and, where available, access to additional valuable information including business operating hours, addresses, payment options, product and brand details as well as street, web and e-mail addresses. The service will also be extended to a 24/7 operation.

Mr Arthur said a new pay-as-you-go pricing structure will accompany the introduction of the enhanced services. Currently Telstra Call Connect (12456) and Yellow Pages® Connect (12451) are charged at a fixed rate of $1.10 (on call connection) and $1.21 (on connection to operator) per call respectively plus call charges. From March 15, 2004, both services will attract a connection fee of 40 cents (on connection to operator) and 4 cents per second for the time spent with the operator plus call charges.

The price change for Telstra Call Connect (12456) and Yellow Pages® Connect (12451) will be communicated to all Telstra fixed line and post-paid mobile customers between December 2003 and February 2004 via a message on their next bills.

http://www.about.sensis.com.au/news/media_releases/mediaRelease.php?id=20031204 viewed 8/9/08