Communication is the Key: Getting Your Message Across Clearly and Concisely

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Communication is the Key Getting Your Message
Across Clearly and Concisely

• (Dos, Donts, and Duhs in
• On-line Teaching!)
• Presented by
• Scott W. Norman
• Florida State University
• e-Educator Conference
• Panama City Beach, Florida
• February 13, 2007

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Expert

• X is the symbol for the unknown
• A spurt is when something drips under pressure
• Expert is an unknown drip under pressure

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Good Communication is the key to everything we
do! When teaching on-line, good communication is
crucial to the success of your students. And
remember, their success is your success Good
Communication is the key to everything we do
When teaching on-line, good communication is
crucial to the success of your students. And
remember, their success is your success Good
Communication is the key to everything we do!
When teaching on-line, good communication is
crucial to the success of your students. And
remember, their success is your success
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Conducting Class via E-mail over Extended Time

• Be Available Establish clear lines of
  communication Use the Subject Line to identify
  yourself
• Be Organized Establish expectations on styles,
  formats, deadlines Send out reminders for due
  dates
• Be Clear Be Brief Give ample information, but
  remember to K.I.S.S. it! (Keep It Short and
  Simple)
• Be Calm Do not type with emotion. No one can see
  your hands, eyebrows, your tongue-in-cheek or
  smirk
• Be Slow Be Deliberate Remain neutral, Read,
  Re-Read! Once it goes, it is gone! (Ask UNC
  Admissions!)
• Be Sure Use a Word Doc OFF-LINE to vent or
  think. If it takes more than one step to send it,
  you will!
• In addition to the e-mail guidelines
• There is no hurry. This is like a short answer
  paper. Give students time to think and respond.
• Remind them to watch spelling and grammar
  Proofread before Peers Read!
• Have them write with some thought. I agree is
  not a response. Show you have given the topic
  serious consideration.
• Model these expectations for your students

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Conducting Class via E-mail over Extended Time

• Be Accessible Establish clear lines of
  communication Use the Subject Line to identify
  yourself
• Be Organized Establish expectations on styles,
  formats, deadlines Send out reminders for due
  dates
• Be Clear Be Brief Give ample information, but
  remember to K.I.S.S. it! (Keep It Short and
  Simple)

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Conducting Class via E-mail over Extended Time

• Be Calm Do not type with emotion. No one can see
  your hands, eyebrows, your tongue-planted-firmly-i
  n-your-cheek, or your smirk
• Be Slow Be Deliberate Remember the 3Rs -
  Remain neutral, Read, Re-Read! Once it goes, it
  is gone! (Ask UNC Admissions!)
• Be Sure Use a Word Doc OFF-LINE to vent or
  think. If it doesnt take more than one step to
  send it, you will!

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Conducting Class via E-mail over Extended Time

• Be Careful Be Open Proofread! Twice!! Read
  aloud and have an unbiased editor read it and
  respond to it. Listen to what they say!
• Be Visible Use emoticons sparingly, but wisely.
  If you are unsure, use a ? smiley face. Dont go
  overboard or negative ?
• Be Aware Be Innocent What you write is
  permanent! Do not write it if you do not want it
  read by all!

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Conducting Class via E-mail over Extended Time

• Be Forgiving Lost in Cyberspace is the new
  dog-ate-my-homework! It happens!
• Be Flexible On-line is convenient.
  Unfortunately, Life is happening all around the
  student, adjust for it.
• Be Creative Have fun! Make the experience
  enjoyable! Remember, though, All Technology is
  not equal!

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Conducting Class via Discussion Board over
Extended Time

• Remind them to watch spelling and grammar
  Proofread before Peers Read!
• There is no hurry. This is like a short answer
  paper. Think and respond.
• Have them write with some thought. I
  agree is not a response. Show they have thought
  about the topic
• Respect for all opinions Move topic forward
  on-line is not invisible!

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Conducting Class via Chat Rooms and/or Instant
Messaging

• Keep Control of the discussion Do not let one or
  a few students dominate the discussions.
• Have alternative contacts Be able to have
  private conversations with students
• Set the Rules Taking turns, Calling on
  individuals, no judgments, be polite

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Conducting Class via Chat Rooms and/or Instant
Messaging

• Forgive grammar/spelling if message is clear.
  Typing is a skill many have not mastered!
• Ask for clarity If you are uncertain, ask
  students to rephrase.
• Everyone on the same page Make sure everyone
  understands all of the above, tech savvy and old
  school alike.
• Agree on Shortcuts BRB, TTYL, G2G

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Who can translate this?

• Cuz, OMG, IDK, NE 1 can TTLY BRB if they GTG!
  Wat? U R 2 kewl 4 skool! TTYL. w/e.

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• Cause, Oh my (Gosh)! I dont know, anyone can
  totally be right back if theyve got to go!
  What? You are too cool for school! Talk to you
  later! Whatever!

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Well, my goodness, I am not completely aware of
the current situation, but I am sure that anyone
who feels the need to leave for the moment may
also feel free to return as soon as possible. Do
you agree? You are, indeed, a wise individual.
I hope to converse with you at a later time.
Farewell.
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Conducting Class via Live Synchronous Format

• Teaching Live with Sound Speak clearly and with
  no accent! Also remember No Colloquialisms!
• Equipment Check Make sure all microphones and
  headphones work
• Accessibility Alternative Contact
• Personalize Ask for proper name pronunciation
  and use it appropriately.

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Conducting Class via Live Synchronous Format

• Keep control Direct the discussion
• Keep it lively Appropriate wait time, but No
  Dead Air!
• Call on Students No hiding!
• NO JOKES! Interaction must be avisual
• Think before you speak! Be a listener! Do not
  say things you will regret!
• Demand Respect for all opinions

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Conducting Class via Recorded Format

• All of the above and remember It is there for
  all to hear!
• Try to realize that recorded lessons have less
  interaction and need no response time, but also
  has no responses.
• In an on-line blended format, serve those in
  attendance w/o penalty to those who will listen
  later

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Conducting Class via Live or Recorded with
Webcam

• Dont!
• Check your background and prepare as if in a
  classroom setting with cameras.
• Dress appropriately
• Practice with webcam or mirror
• Warn your children/spouse/room-mates/grandmother/e
  tc.

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Conclusion

• Blogs! Anyone can read it and if you think they
  wont, THEY WILL!
• It is still teaching, you CAN do it!
• Have Fun! Make it Fun!
• swnorman_at_hotmail.com

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