Effective Communication
The digital world can be a complex and sometimes confusing place to navigate. It can be made more difficult by ineffective online communication. It is imperative all students understand the need for effective online communication skills, as well as how to implement them.
Core Skills
1. Clarity - clear writing allows the reader to understand the meaning of the message, as the writer intended it to be understood. Word choice is an important consideration, as more complicated words may result in misinterpretation. To improve sentence clarity try using Purdue Online Writing Lab's tips.
2. Completeness - provide a complete picture (include all relevant information ) required for the reader to respond. It is important to answer the who, what, when why, where and how questions for all pieces of writing. Use this 5 W's Chart to help organize important information.
3. Conciseness - be brief when possible. Avoid including unrelated information, unnecessary repetition or lengthy explanations that do not add to or improve the communication. Practice writing concisely with this exercise from San Jose State University's Writing Centre.
4. Concreteness - reinforce writing with specific facts and figures. By using visuals, such as graphics, tables, or charts, it will reduce or eliminate any misunderstandings. Chartgo is a free resource that creates a variety of graphs online.
5. Correctness - make sure the writing is correct prior to sending or publishing by proofreading. This will address correctness in terms of typos, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Grammar Ninja is a game for students to play as they develop their knowledge of the parts of speech.
BBC Skillwise has a grammar and spelling page with 21 activities for students in middle years or high school.
Grammar Bytes offers teachers and students a glossary of terms, handouts, interactive exercises and slideshow presentations.
Daily Writing Tips is a blog that contains a wide variety of resources about writing in English.
6. Courtesy - respect others and convey a mature/professional tone and approach at all times. It is important for all online users to practice proper "Netiquette."
7. Consideration - focus on the needs and expectations of the specific audience and stay positive.
(Venable 2014)
2. Completeness - provide a complete picture (include all relevant information ) required for the reader to respond. It is important to answer the who, what, when why, where and how questions for all pieces of writing. Use this 5 W's Chart to help organize important information.
3. Conciseness - be brief when possible. Avoid including unrelated information, unnecessary repetition or lengthy explanations that do not add to or improve the communication. Practice writing concisely with this exercise from San Jose State University's Writing Centre.
4. Concreteness - reinforce writing with specific facts and figures. By using visuals, such as graphics, tables, or charts, it will reduce or eliminate any misunderstandings. Chartgo is a free resource that creates a variety of graphs online.
5. Correctness - make sure the writing is correct prior to sending or publishing by proofreading. This will address correctness in terms of typos, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Grammar Ninja is a game for students to play as they develop their knowledge of the parts of speech.
BBC Skillwise has a grammar and spelling page with 21 activities for students in middle years or high school.
Grammar Bytes offers teachers and students a glossary of terms, handouts, interactive exercises and slideshow presentations.
Daily Writing Tips is a blog that contains a wide variety of resources about writing in English.
6. Courtesy - respect others and convey a mature/professional tone and approach at all times. It is important for all online users to practice proper "Netiquette."
7. Consideration - focus on the needs and expectations of the specific audience and stay positive.
(Venable 2014)
For Teachers
According to Shelly Terrell (2013), it is vital for teachers to have clear and positive communication with both students and parents; better services from schools and increased student achievement are the results. In order to do this effectively, it is recommended that 21st century teachers use 21st century tools.
- Google Forms is part of Google Drive and provides an interactive way to communicate with students and parents. Teachers can create question-and-answer quizzes for students, send homework or assign readings. Google Forms gives access to parents to ask questions or make recommendations and is available on a variety of platforms.
- Blogs give teachers the ability to post announcements, candid classroom moments, assignments, etc. on a regular basis, keeping both students and parents up to date and informed. To get started, try a free version like Weebly or Kidblog.
- Remind 101 is a tool that sends reminders to parents and students via SMS. The app configures multiple cellphone numbers into one text, which allows teachers to send out a single blast. Teachers do not have to worry about sending their cellphone number out with the text message, as it is an option to keep personal information private.
- Screencasts allow teachers to add audio annotation to web pages or PC files. This helps when explaining difficult topics or tasks and is a great way to create tutorials of online resources. Try Screencast-O-Matic.
- Cel.ly is an app that allows teachers or administrators to create a safe mobile networking site for the classroom or school. Users can group text, participate in multiple choice polls and receive reminders or web alerts.
- Wikis are similar to class websites but enable collaboration. Wikis are free and provide a variety of tools to help students collaborate and build resource banks. PBWorks for Educators is great because it is also advertisement free.
- Twitter is a fun way for students to write in an online space and post pictures of classroom events. Parents can follow the classroom feed to stay up to date.
- Google Forms is part of Google Drive and provides an interactive way to communicate with students and parents. Teachers can create question-and-answer quizzes for students, send homework or assign readings. Google Forms gives access to parents to ask questions or make recommendations and is available on a variety of platforms.
- Blogs give teachers the ability to post announcements, candid classroom moments, assignments, etc. on a regular basis, keeping both students and parents up to date and informed. To get started, try a free version like Weebly or Kidblog.
- Remind 101 is a tool that sends reminders to parents and students via SMS. The app configures multiple cellphone numbers into one text, which allows teachers to send out a single blast. Teachers do not have to worry about sending their cellphone number out with the text message, as it is an option to keep personal information private.
- Screencasts allow teachers to add audio annotation to web pages or PC files. This helps when explaining difficult topics or tasks and is a great way to create tutorials of online resources. Try Screencast-O-Matic.
- Cel.ly is an app that allows teachers or administrators to create a safe mobile networking site for the classroom or school. Users can group text, participate in multiple choice polls and receive reminders or web alerts.
- Wikis are similar to class websites but enable collaboration. Wikis are free and provide a variety of tools to help students collaborate and build resource banks. PBWorks for Educators is great because it is also advertisement free.
- Twitter is a fun way for students to write in an online space and post pictures of classroom events. Parents can follow the classroom feed to stay up to date.