What is Convergence

The notion of convergence refers to the notion that some sequences or functions approach a certain limit. There are several notions of convergence: pointwise convergence, uniform convergence, etc.

The concept, which constitutes the main theme of Henry Jenkins' “Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide”, expresses that different media environments are similar in terms of their features and cooperate in the spread of their contents among users. Toschi defines this concept as “the disappearance of differences among mass media” by giving the example that mobile phones have functions other than communication. According to Jenkins, an intense stream of content is emerging from the inter-media collaboration and the users are invited to social and cultural transformation. Jenkins explains these behaviors of receivers, who are delighted with the flow of content they follow due to logic of “discovery”, through the metaphor of “immigration”.

As with learning objects, there are many different definitions of convergence and not much consensus. It is often used with a specifying adjective (as in “media convergence” or “technological convergence”). In the context of this chapter, it refers to blurred boundaries between previously separate elements, particularly the potential that technological convergence offers with regards to “sharability” and “reusability” of learning objects, as well as the potential convergence between generic and course-specific learning objects.

The way in which the many forms of technology mediated and face to face communications overlap and intersect in daily life.

A term that is originally introduced by Marieke de Mooij into the discussion of consumer behavior research in early 2000s. The main thesis of this concept is that, as global consumer income increases across national borders, consumer values and behaviors will become the same (or homogenized) as a result of converging technology development.

A process whereby outcome or policy differences between countries become less discernible.

Meeting and merging different functions in one device or environment. In this study, it refers to the combination of the functions of different technological devices in a single device, as well as the combination of different working environments.

The phenomenon of poorer economy’s’ per capita GDP growing faster than developed countries’ per capita GDP before eventually catching up.

In the Classical literature, two concepts of convergence appear: convergence and convergence. Convergence is said to have achieved if the dispersion of development indicators across a group of economies tends to decrease over time. On the other hand, absolute convergence will exist if the poor economies in the ladder of development tend to grow faster than rich ones. It is possible to consider the influence of some of the factors which plays an instrumental role in convergence. In this situation, it is said to have achieved conditional convergence.

Here used to characterize phenomena specifically occurring in language contact situations which lead to changes in grammar.

Communicative adjustments to become similar or closer to an interlocutor.

Is the approach toward a definite value, a definite point, a common view or opinion, or toward a fixed or equilibrium state. Convergence of wireless technologies means different wireless technologies such as WiFi and WIMAX can decode encoded signals from the same base station either WiFi or WIMAX technology.

Convergence generally means coming together, while divergence generally means moving apart. In the world of finance and trading, convergence and divergence are terms used to describe the directional relationship of two trends, prices, or indicators.

When traditional and digital advertising reinforce one another.

Process by means of which an algorithm (in this case an evolutionary system) gradually approaches a solution. A genetic programming system is said to have converged when most of the individuals in the population are equal or when the system cannot evolve any further.

Point of agreement between several related objectives.

The process of coming together of ideas, policies or aims that align or become similar and make a coherent purposive whole. As in the case of climate change the attempt at convergence is by agreeing on a global programme to reduce green house gases that are emitted into the atmosphere.

The act of converging and especially moving toward union or uniformity.

Poor or developing regions grow faster compared to developed regions with a higher per capita income and gradually reach similar high levels of per capita income. Thus, all areas, over time, may converge in terms of income per head. There are two types of convergence, namely Beta convergence (ß) and sigma (s) convergence.

The incorporation of various technical capabilities and functions within one medium, platform or technologies which enables various activities to happen.

Convergence is a coming together of two or more distinct entities or phenomena.

participant’s stated agreement with an idea or concept posted by another participant in a previous message.

Refers to the property that policy states should be absorbing (i.e., the system only gets closer to the policy state under the action of the agent).

The multiple ways in which nanotechnologies will combine together with other technologies in the future.

Also known as digital convergence. The concept that all modern information technologies are becoming digital in nature. The technological trend whereby a variety of different digital devices such as TVs, in particular high-definition TVs, and mobile telephones are merging into a multi-use communications appliance employing common software to communicate through the Internet.

Description of different communication systems performing tasks within a shared medium and distributed network architecture.

The notion of convergence refers to the notion that some sequences or functions approach a certain limit. There are several notions of convergence: pointwise convergence, uniform convergence, etc .

The delivery of telecoms and broadcast services on one service platform.

Digital audio, video, text, and data are integrated into unified media platforms.

A term with many definitions depending on the context. When referring to the technologies of media, it is used to describe the coming together of different media formats into one, typically digital, format. The term can also be considered in an economic sense, though the following term more directly addresses this activity.

According to Jenkins, by convergence, the flow of content across multiple media platforms, the cooperation between multiple media industries, and the migratory behavior of media audiences who will go almost anywhere in search of the kinds of entertainment experiences they want.

Similar level of various indicators from different fields of Higher Education.

The blending of three previously-distinct services: voice telecommunications, video (television) service and Internet access.

It refers to gradual reduction in the disparity and thereby merging of certain economic criteria between two groups.

When an individual imitates or adopts the communicative behaviors of another in conversation, we say they are converging or becoming more like the other communicatively. For example a person may accommodate the communicative behavior of another by talking louder or adopting an accent (vocal accommodation), by appropriating the language of another in conversation (verbal accommodation), or by imitating kinesic or facial behaviors (nonverbal accommodation). These adaptations are efforts by a communicant to be viewed favorably by the high social status other during conversation.

It means coming closer over time in respect of any social, economic, political and natural variables.

Scientific inquiry characterized by thinking beyond usual paradigms and approaching issues informed by many, integrated perspectives. The process of convergence takes place within a network of partners forming an ecosystem that facilitates basic research as well as translational applications and the potential to benefit society.

Convergence is the coming together of telecommunications, computing and broadcasting into a single digital bit-stream. The rise of digital communication in the late 20 th century has made it possible for media organizations (or individuals) to deliver text, audio, and video material over the same wired, wireless, or fibre-optic connections. This digital convergence of news media, in particular, was called “Mediamorphosis” by researcher Roger Fidler, in his 1997 book by that name. An example of device supporting convergence is smart phone that can involve n parallel work of a phone, pc, music system, compass, library, newspaper and so on.

“Convergence” generally means coming together, and “divergence” generally means moving apart. If countries come together due to trade, it is known as convergence in trade.

In technological terms, convergence refers to bringing together multiple media platforms.

The coming together of two different entities or elements.

Is the concept that poorer economies’ per capita incomes (in this study, CO 2 emissions) will tend to grow at faster rates than the richer economies. As a result, all economies should eventually converge in terms of per capita.

A belief that the value systems of different countries become similar.

Similar level of various indicators from different fields of Higher Education.

In general, convergence refers to two or more things coming together and evolving into one. In regard to the field of education the term often refers to two systems (e.g., higher education and K-12) joining one another to form a unified whole.

Primarily the term coincides with the combination of different technologies—telephone, computer, broadcasting, and Internet—on a single platform. However, it is pertinent to understand the term from the point of view of multiple activities being performed within a moment using the advances of the new communications technologies.

Involves inputs, activities, and outputs moving toward union or uniformity.