39 Communicating Online

Page
295
from

Communicating Online

Start-Up Activity

Draw a large Venn diagram on the whiteboard. Above the left circle, write "Communication Before Computers." Above the right circle, write "Communication After Computers."

Ask your students how people communicated before the digital age. In the left side of the diagram, write old forms of communication that are rarely used anymore (such as smoke signals, or the Pony Express). In the middle space, write old forms of communication that people still use (such as writing letters or calling on the phone). Ask students what new ways people communicate using computers. Write those In the right side of the diagram.

Discuss how communication is changing, and how the changes affect our lives.

Think About It

“The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.”  

—Bill Gates

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 296 from Writers Express

Understanding the Situation

Introduce your students to the elements of the communication situation. These elements can help students analyze any message. You can also use the video minilessons as the focus of your instruction.

LAFS Standard:
TEKS Standard:
NE ELA Standard:

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

21st Century Skills:

Page 297 from Writers Express

Choosing Online Media

Help students choose a medium for communicating online. The different options on this page all have their own strengths and weaknesses. Share your own experiences and insights with each medium.

Make sure students know that they should communicate carefully online, even in casual conversations. Give this advice:

  • Keep your messages polite and on target.
  • Don't give out personal information.
  • Never bully others online.
  • Tell a trusted adult if you are being bullied.
LAFS Standard:
TEKS Standard:
NE ELA Standard:

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

21st Century Skills:

Page 298 from Writers Express

Communicating Emotion Online

Discuss the different nonverbal ways people express emotion. You might have students act out different facial expressions, tones of voice, postures, and so on. Then explain that many forms of online communication do not include these emotional cues. That's why its very difficult to communicate emotion effectively online.

Now introduce the scale for communicating emotion via email. Explain that it is always important to raise your positivity when you want to express how you feel through email. Advise your students to avoid communicating online when they feel angry or upset. 

Finally, end your lesson with a discussion of emoticons or emojis. Ask students what their favorite emoticons and emojis are and when they use them. Point out that they should be avoided in schoolwork and other formal writing. 

LAFS Standard:
TEKS Standard:
NE ELA Standard:

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

21st Century Skills:
Social-Emotional Intelligence: