Time OrientationIn digital media, time orientation refers to who (sender or reciever) controls when and where a message is recieved. This simple, yet fundamental, concept helps to reveal how society grows to expect and value different methods of communication.

AsynchronousSynchronousSender controls when the message is recievedand the duration of that message.

Reciever controls when the message is recievedand the duration of that message.

The communication is a unique andephemeral or fleeting experience that only happens once

Allows news media to control and managethe release of information

Allows sender to control the medium of the communcation

Allows reciever to obtain and revisit the initial communication artifact

Makes it difficult for sender to predictbest times to communicate with reciever

Decentralizes traditional communication between the news media and the public

Examples Examples

NEWSBefore streaming and DVR became an option, viewers were subjectto the broadcast television programmingschedule.

Face-to-face communicationremains the primary method of ephemeralcommunication.

Gutenberg’s printing pressput the power into the handsof the reader. Both analogand digital newspapers are portable.

Digital communication hasmade it possible for information to be experienced and sharedat the convenience of thereciever.

Content was collected and designed by Laura Forero (Xavier, ‘17) on March 28, 2017For more information on time orientation contact Dr. Randall Patnode at Xavier University