Classroom Outreach offers schools the chance to connect their students to history through artifacts and engaging activities, teaching historical literacy skills while meeting Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies.
This research center conducted short telephone surveys to collect data on the experiences of older adults living through the Covid-19 pandemic, identify needed resources, and document its effects on callers themselves.
History of the Telephone
The telephone is an electronic tool used for intercontinental communication between two people regardless of their locations. Early telephones used electric current to send audio signals over wires (known as fixed or landline telephones). Today’s mobile phones, on the other hand, use radio transmission technology instead to carry digital data between users.
Samuel Morse revolutionized communication using electrical signals when he created an early electric telegraph that sent dot and dash messages across. Though revolutionary at its time, it also had certain drawbacks that limited its functionality.
At first, it could only transmit one message at a time and relied on physical lines that could break anywhere within its system – including undersea intercontinental cables. Around this time, Alexander Graham Bell independently created an electronic device which transmitted sound by producing electromagnetic undulations in copper wire and registered his patent for it on the same day Elisha Gray filed her claim for something similar.
The Future of Communication
As technology rapidly changes, communicators need to stay abreast of developments. While some may fear new technologies such as augmented reality, AI, and speech recognition software, their growing use proves otherwise. Communicators must adapt quickly rather than reject anything completely; live chatbots and instant messaging tools offer increased efficiency while still offering human connections – the future looks bright!
Barnardo’s recently conducted a survey among 8 to 18 year olds who predicted that in 30 years’ time people will communicate using body and brain implants and holograms; yet still desire human-to-human communication.
Become a Student Caller
The Telephone Historical Centre Outreach Programs provide students with an invaluable opportunity to develop essential communication, networking and sales skills that they will carry throughout their careers. Each semester follows the university academic calendar; funds raised support student scholarships and programs.
As part of their response to the Covid-19 pandemic, HBEC staff and CAB felt that engaging with research registry participants through another means would be necessary; one such means being via telephone outreach project.
This telephone survey enabled HBEC to collect data on older adults’ experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic; suggest resources to address identified needs; and act as a point of contact to reduce social isolation. Furthermore, regular debrief meetings proved invaluable in providing support and motivational assistance during this project.
