ICT4 Elderly/Advanced e-writing skills

Contents of the module

• Netiquette;
• Different writing styles in online communication (email, social media, other channels).

Learning objectives

• To explain different approaches of style writing (email, social media, other channels);
• To present the usage of different online communication to address different groups or individuals;
• To understand advantages of e-writing;
• To regain feelings of confidence in using different styles in online communication.

Learning outcomes

• The participant can engage in intentional communication using advanced writing skills, culturally appropriate language;
• Participant can use different online communication style with active use of netiquette;
• Participant understands internet slang.

Learning scenario

• Guided discussion on the concept of netiquette;
• Videos;
• Interactive demonstration of using different style of online communications in pairs;
• Demonstrate appropriate and inappropriate using of different style of online communication.

Evaluation

• Participants have to use different style of online communication to interact among themselves;
• Every participant has to make a post on social media.

Following this module learners will:

• The participant can engage in intentional communication using advanced writing skills, culturally appropriate language;
• Participant can use different online communication style with active use of netiquette;
• Participant understand internet slang.

Introduction of the training

Netiquette

Netiquette represents the importance of proper manners and behavior online. In general, netiquette is the set of professional and social etiquettes practiced and advocated in electronic communication over any computer network. Common guidelines include being courteous and precise, and avoiding cyber-bullying. Netiquette also dictates that users should obey copyright laws and avoid overusing emoticons.

Netiquette is a short form of network etiquette or Internet etiquette.

This term was first introduced in posts of the satirical “Dear Emily” news columns in 1983, but it originated before the World Wide Web. In that era, the commercial use of public posting was not popular and internet traffic was dominated by text-based emails, Gopher, Telnet and FTP from educational and research authorities.

Although the specific rules governing netiquette may be different depending on the forum being used, it is equally applicable to chatting, blogging, message boards, email and surfing the Internet.

While there is no official list of netiquette rules or guidelines, the general idea is to respect others online. Below are ten examples of rules to follow for good netiquette:

1. Avoid posting inflammatory or offensive comments online (a.k.a flaming).
2. Respect others' privacy by not sharing personal information, photos, or videos that another person may not want published online.
3. Never spam others by sending large amounts of unsolicited email.
4. Show good sportsmanship when playing online games, whether you win or lose.
5. Don't troll people in web forums or website comments by repeatedly nagging or annoying them.
6. Stick to the topic when posting in online forums or when commenting on photos or videos, such as YouTube or Facebook comments.
7. Don't swear or use offensive language.
8. Avoid replying to negative comments with more negative comments. Instead, break the cycle with a positive post.
9. If someone asks a question and you know the answer, offer to help.
10. Thank others who help you online.

The Internet provides a sense of anonymity since you often do not see or hear the people with whom you are communicating online. But that is not an excuse for having poor manners or posting incendiary comments. While some users may feel like they can hide behind their keyboard or smartphone when posting online, the fact is they are still the ones publishing the content. Remember – if you post offensive remarks online and the veil of anonymity is lifted, you will have to answer for the comments you made.

Email Netiquette

When composing an email message, it is important to use good netiquette. For example, you should always include a subject that summarizes the topic of the email. It is also helpful to begin each message with the recipient's name and end the message with your name or "signature." A typical signature includes your name, email address, and/or website URL. A professional signature may include your company name and title as well. Most email programs allow you to save multiple signatures, which you can insert at the bottom of an email.

If you want to send an email to multiple recipients, you can simply add each email address to the "To" field. However, if the email is primarily intended for one person, you should place the additional addresses in the "CC" (carbon copy) field. If you are sending an email to multiple people that don't know each other, it is best to use the "Bcc" (blind carbon copy) field. This hides the email addresses of each recipient, which helps prevent spam.

Web forum

Web forum is a website or section of a website that allows visitors to communicate with each other by posting messages. Most forums allow anonymous visitors to view forum postings, but require you to create an account in order to post messages in the forum. When posting in a forum, you can create new topics (or "threads") or post replies within existing threads.

Web forums are available for all kinds of topics. Examples include software support, help for webmasters, and programming discussions. While lots of Web forums focus on IT topics, they are not limited to information technology. There are forums related to health, fitness, cars, houses, teaching, parenting, and thousands of other topics. Some forums are general, like a fitness forum, while others are more specific, such as a forum for yoga instructors.

Social media

Social media is a collection of Internet-based communities that allow users to interact with each other online. This includes web forums, wikis, and user-generated content (UGC) websites. However, the term is most often used to describe popular social networking websites, which include the following:

• Facebook - an online community that allows individual users to create personal profiles, share photos and videos, and post on each other's profile pages, or "Timelines."
• Twitter - an Internet service that allows people to publish quick updates and see posts or "tweets" of other users they are following in real-time.
• LinkedIn - a professional networking website that allows users to create profiles, post resumes, and communicate with other professionals and job-seekers.
• Pinterest - an online community that allows users to share ideas and photos with others by "pinning" items and describing them on their profile pages.
• Social media became popular after the advent of Web 2.0, a collection of web-based technologies used to make websites more dynamic and enable greater user interaction. It has since been fuelled by the growing use of mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones, which are commonly used to access social media services. In fact, most social media websites also provide custom apps that make it easy to view and post updates while on-the-go.

The growth of social media has also lead to another new industry, called social media marketing. This refers to promotional methods focused on social media rather than traditional advertising outlets. The goal of social media marketing is to increase awareness of a product or service by prompting users to like, share, recommend, or +1 a product or service. For example, phrases such as "Like us on Facebook" or "Follow us on Twitter" encourage users to promote a product or service online.

Keywords

Netiquette, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Social media, Web forums, E-mail, Netiquette, Web, Internet.

Material required

• Personal computer (Smartphone or tablet connected to the Internet)
• Internet connexion
• Beamer
• Paper and pens
• Flipchart
• Speakers
• Tape or rope

Learning subject/ field

Narrative/sequential description of the learning activities.

The lecturer will start the lecture by asking what is the concept of netiquette? The lecturer will then highlight some similarities between the difference of netiquette and conventional etiquette.

At the beginning of the lecture, the lecturer will explain what netiquette is, how it was created, why we need it and how we use it. It is very important for participants to understand the differences in online communication where an individual does not have direct contact with another person or group of people. The use of netiquette is slightly different when used on different social networks. It is important for participants to understand that netiquette also depends on the form of social network involved, in the conversation or communication, as each platform has its own limitations. For instance, twitter is limited by the number of words, instagram and fb have a wide range of media usage. Likewise, on any platform, an individual may be hidden or unaware of their true identity.

Task - participants will communicate in pairs via various social networks. Each couple will communicate about a specific problem that they will need to reach consensus on using netiquette. The purpose of the assignment is for each individual to gain experience in communicating through various social networks. Task – participants will have to make a public post on one chosen social media platform.

After the assignment, participants will share with each other experiences from the assignment and any concerns, comments, and experiences regarding the use of netiquette.

Session structure

The purpose of the session will be:

• to provide an introduction to different approaches of style writing;
• to facilitate aware of using different online communication to address different groups or individuals;
• to discover advantages of e-writing;
• to motivate feelings of confidence in using different styles in online communication.

Introduction

The lecturer will start the lecture by asking what is the concept of netiquette? The lecturer will then highlight some similarities between the difference of netiquette and conventional etiquette.

Netiquette

At the beginning of the lecture, the lecturer will explain what netiquette is, how it was created, why we need it and how we use it. It is very important for participants to understand the differences in online communication where an individual does not have direct contact with another person or group of people. The use of netiquette is slightly different when used on different social networks. It is important for participants to understand that netiquette also depends on the form of social network involved, in the conversation or communication, as each platform has its own limitations. For instance, twitter is limited by the number of words, instagram and fb have a wide range of media usage. Likewise, on any platform, an individual may be hidden or unaware of their true identity.

Pairs work

Task 1 -  participants will communicate in pairs via various social networks. Each couple will communicate about a specific problem that they will need to reach consensus on using netiquette.

Task 2 – participants will have to make a public post on one chosen social media platform.

The purpose of both assignments is for each individual to gain experience in communicating through various social networks.

Experiences share

After the assignment, participants will share with each other experiences from the assignment and any concerns, comments, and experiences regarding the use of netiquette.

Homework

Participant must write their own blog post (topic chosen regarding their personal interests).

https://wordpress.org/support/article/introduction-to-blogging/

Debriefing

To wrap up the session, the trainer will facilitate a debriefing moment where participants are encouraged to express their questions, doubts, ideas and feelings toward the topics discussed.

Evaluation

Participants will answer a small questionnaire to evaluate the form and the content of the session.

Overall duration of the session

1 hour and 20 min

References

• Tecopedia
• TectTerms
• Introduction to Blogging