Digital Communication Tips

An article by Nora Carr of eSchoolNews.com identified five tips for communicating using digital technology in the upcoming new year. These tips reflect the digital society in which we live, and the desire we have to stay in constant communication with one another. In my Multimedia Technology classroom, I rely on the use of technology in all forms, including mobile devices, social media, YouTube, etc., to instruct and follow current trends. However, I focus on teaching my students how to use this technology both responsibly and productively.

Our children have been raised in this digital society, and know nothing different; their ability to quickly pick up and embrace new technology seems to be ingrained in their personalities. Unfortunately, more often, the classrooms in which they are educated are taught by individuals of a previous generation, who are not as tech savvy or as willing to learn and effectively utilize the current technology. Even in classrooms where the teacher is tech savvy, the students still seem to find learning the technology to be more intuitive. Perhaps these tips can help bridge the gap between the two generations.

1. Start using QR (Quick Response) codes

QR codes can be created for reminders, schedule changes, contact information, website addresses, and other communications. Students, teachers and parents can use these codes to access information quickly on mobile devices. In a classroom setting, teachers can implement QR codes into various lessons in order to better engage their students. For instance, I created a timed QR code scavenger hunt that is deployed during the first few days of school as a way for students to learn the layout of the school and where specific classrooms and offices are located. Basically, the students scan QR codes posted around the school using an iPad, interpret the clues, go to those locations and take photos of those locations. When they return to the classroom, they earn points for every location they correctly photographed. This is a great way for students to not only familiarize themselves with the school, but also learn how to communicate, work together in a group, and develop time management skills.

2. Use social media for student, teacher and parent communication

It is time to learn how to use social media responsibly and appropriately for communication both at home and in school, between parents and teachers, and among students themselves. A recent study has found that more than half of all U.S. adults now use social networking platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or LinkedIn. However, the students are not being taught how to use these tools (yes, tools) to effectively communicate. Instead the students learn from their peers to use these sites to continue the unstructured social interactions that transpire every day in school. As a result, students are bullying, arguing, and posting inappropriate messages and pictures.

Unfortunately, some educators are not trained, and others don’t see the value in using social media. And there are still some educators who are not permitted to use, nor teach them. I personally try to infuse each of the aforementioned communication tools in my class without going against school policies. In order to teach these tools, I often show students public examples of misuse or positive outcomes. For instance, recently Ashton Kutcher posted a message regarding the Penn State scandal. There was some backlash for what he said and he later recanted his post and asked for forgiveness. This ultimately led to his decision to have his publicist post all of his messages. With my students, I discussed not only the possible outcomes of his actions, such as him losing his endorsement deals, but I also discussed the possible job opportunities for them in the field of social media. Who wouldn’t want to hire a multimedia specialist that knows how to write, take photos, produce video, and market through social media?

3. Focus more effort on Millennials

The students of the Millenial generation are poised to become the next group of employees in the near future. These children come from diverse backgrounds and have been raised in a society where cutting edge technology has always existed and has been readily accessible for the majority. They are addicted to their mobile devices, would rather text than talk, have limited attention spans and would rather learn information online by watching a video. Unfortunately, the schools in which they learn are using 20th century models of the old “read and recite.” Kids want to be engaged in the learning process. They want to be creative and use their knowledge to produce outcomes. We all once asked a teacher, “when will I need this in my future?” If it isn’t relevant, the students are not going to be interested. So teachers today, more than ever, need to provide contextual lessons so that the students will be able see the connection between what they are learning, and how it applies in the real world.

4. Try something new

Sometimes trying something once is the best way to determine if it will realistically work for you and your goals. Instead of negating the use of technology because you are unfamiliar with it, don’t want to try something new, or believe that technology is only for the younger generation, you are only limiting yourself. By stepping out of your comfort zone and at least attempting to join the digital age, you may discover a new way of teaching, communicating or learning that will change the way you accomplish tasks. Or better yet, learn alongside your students. I can tell you from experience, it is the most rewarding. When we first purchased iPads, there was no way I was going to be able to learn every app before we implemented them. So I downloaded a bunch of them, broke the students into groups and asked that they experiment and determine the effectiveness of each app and how they can be used.

5. Adapt

As the public education system focuses their attention on raising standardized test scores, we need to create new ways to assess students’ knowledge and reflect the incorporation of technology into the classroom. Educators are tasked with making sure their students achieve; however, by focusing on the exams we are not focusing on the longevity of the knowledge. We are consumed with passing the test. For instance, I had a long discussion with my students about word banks, and how effective they were in helping the students recall information. We determined that instead of being a help, they were more of a hindrance to the learning process, acting as a crutch to simply recall terms to pass a test. After that discussion, my students consciously made an effort to test their knowledge on the next chapter exam by not relying on a word bank to assist. They found that they spent more time thinking about what each question was really asking, rather than scanning their word banks to find a word that might fit into each blank on the test. By doing so, the students realized they had to actually understand the material better, and rely on their knowledge, not a word bank, to do well on the tests.

Source: Five tips for digital communication in the new year