COMMUNICATING IN THE DIGITAL AGE A Guide for Educators By Dr Helen Dixon Information Services Queen’s University Belfast @HelenDixon10
COMMUNICATINGIN THE DIGITAL AGE
A Guide for Educators
By
Dr Helen DixonInformation Services
Queen’s University Belfast
@HelenDixon10
EVERYTHING IN EDUCATION
REVOLVES AROUND COMMUNICATION
@HelenDixon10
How has technology changed communication?
@HelenDixon10
INTRODUCING THE EDUCATOR 3.0
Profiles on website or social media
Up-to-date online presence
Communicates effectively online
Confident technology user
Encourages digital literacy and citizenship
Teaches digital skills by example
Faster communication means it is important to take our time crafting our message
@HelenDixon10
I begin already to weigh my words and sentences more than I did…
Jane Austen
65% of adults in NI have used Facebook
13% have posted
something they regret
Source: Ofcom Survey
August 2015
@H
ele
nDix
on1
0
EMAIL AND TEXT MESSAGES ARE NOT SIMILAR
For formal communications,
emails are best - unless the
message is urgent or if the
recipient may not be able
to access their email
account
An informal tone may be
acceptable for text
messages but is often not
appropriate for emails
@HelenDixon10
EMAIL ETIQUETTE
• E.g. “Revised date for team meeting”Include a clear subject
line
• “Dear Professor Austen” or “Dear Jane”
• Avoid “Hey” or “Hiya”
Use professional salutations
• Don’t rely on spellcheck and beware of autocorrect!Proofread your
message carefully
• Add email address last and double-check that it is correct
• Use “Reply to all” with care!
Make sure you have selected the right
recipient
WISDOM IS BETTER THAN WIT – JANE AUSTEN
Humour often does not translate well online!
@HelenDixon10
An email may be forwarded to others or disclosed in response to a
request under the Freedom of Information or Data Protection Acts!
Don’t put
anything in
an email
unless you
are happy
for the rest
of the world
to read it!
@HelenDixon10
ONE HALF OF THE WORLDCANNOT UNDERSTAND
THE PLEASURES OF THE OTHER
@HelenDixon10
Jane Austen
(Emma 1815)
Like?
Like it or not, social
media is one of the most
important methods of
communication available
today
A student tells you that
they have posted
something online that
they regret.
What do you do?
@H
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ixon1
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By age 10,
59% of
children
have used
a social
network
http://www.knowthenet.org.u
k/articles/kids-not-
equipped-coming-digital-
age-nine
@H
ele
nD
ixon1
0
Age 9
• Access YouTube
• Use a mobile or laptop
Age 10
• Start using internet slang e.g. YOLO
• Use instant messaging
Age 11
• Share an image or video of themselves
• Post a nasty comment
• Set up a fake profile
Age 12
• Try Twitter and WhatsApp
• Message someone online that they haven’t met in real life
Age 13
• Use Snapchat and Ask.fm
• Try sexting
A CHILD’S SOCIAL MEDIA DEVELOPMENT
http://www.knowthenet.org.uk/articles/kids-not-equipped-coming-digital-age-nine
@H
ele
nD
ixon1
0
We must learn before we can teach
A social media code for parents and educators
SOCIAL MEDIA CAN HELP YOU
Find out about the latest developments in education
Network with other professionals
Learn new skills
Enhance your professional reputation
SOCIAL MEDIA CAN ALSO
Waste your valuable time
Blur professional and personal boundaries
Expose your personal life to scrutiny
Damage your career prospects
MAKE SOCIAL MEDIA WORK FOR YOU
Set up a profile
Follow other professionals
Listen and learn
Comment and curate
Share your own content
@HelenDixon10
LinkedIn or left out?
DIGITAL PROFESSIONALISM• about the impact on you, your institution
and othersTHINK
• sharing, make sure that the information is correct and that you have permissionBEFORE
• are responsible for anything you publish onlineYOU
• only content that will add value and enhance your reputationPOST
@HelenDixon10
The Golden Rule -
If it’s online, it’s NOT private!
@HelenDixon10
Sense &
Sensibility
1811
@HelenDixon10
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?Developing a Personal Learning Network Using Social Media
Facebook for Educators and Community Leaders
The Teacher’s Guide to Twitter
Engaging Your School Community Through Social Media
Parents’ Guides from ConnectSafely
@SocialMediaQUB SocialMediaQUB