what is interactive media 
interactive media is a method of communication in which a program s outputs depend on the user s inputs in turn the user s inputs affect the program s outputs it refers to the ways in which people process and share information or how they communicate with each other interactive media allows people to connect with others or organizations by making them active participants in the media they consume through text graphics video and sound understanding interactive mediathe purpose of interactive media is to engage the user and interact with them in a way non interactive media does not traditional forms of media such as television and radio originally required no active participation these forms of media made consumers more passive providing them with no way to navigate through their experiences except for the ability to change the channel that began to change with the advent of the internet in the 1990s as technology developed consumers were given different tools through which interactive media was presented access to the internet went from an expensive utility available only through dial up to a wireless tool accessible with the touch of a finger computers and laptops became household items and a necessity in the workplace smartphones made interacting with media easy and convenient interactive media will become even more immersive as technology becomes more advanced broadening what people can do elements of interactive mediaunlike traditional media interactive media is meant to enhance a user s experience an interactive medium will require one more of the following elements to do that a user can participate by manipulating one or more of these elements during their experience something traditional media doesn t offer 1six degrees is often considered to be the world s first social media platform it was founded in 1996 the influences of interactive mediainteractive media doesn t just make people more active it also gives them the power to communicate with people companies and organizations with whom they would normally have no contact it allows the free flow and exchange of ideas and information 2interactive media also has an educational component making it a powerful learning tool it allows and encourages students to become more active in their learning experiences and more collaborative and to be more in control of what they re learning interactive media has changed the way people traditionally approach various personal and professional aspects of life such as searching for a job interviews going to school and advertising examples of interactive mediapeople are surrounded by interactive media in the digital era you ll find an example of this form of communication everywhere you look 