Digital Communication

Video Transcription

Hi. Welcome to today's lessons. My name is Gino Sangiuliano, and the topic we'll be covering today is digital communication, something every digital citizen needs know about. So let's get started. We'll begin by reviewing the nine elements of digital citizenship.

We've talked about these in the past. They are digital access, commerce, literacy, digital etiquette, digital law, rights and responsibilities, digital health, and finally, digital security. I'll never forget the day I learned how to use email. I was a student teacher at the time and I was attending a workshop with the staff of the school I was at. There was an older fifth grade teacher that would have none of this new technology.

I vividly remember her sitting angrily, arms crossed, protesting being there. At one point she even said out loud, why do we have to learn this. If I want to communicate with someone, I'll just pick up the phone and call them. I wonder if she still feels that way today. Let's begin by defining the term digital communication. It means understanding the appropriate ways to communicate in a digital world.

Now that we have the ability to communicate in a variety of ways, and instantaneously, it is imperative that we teach students how to do so in an appropriate manner in order to be safe and to maintain a positive online presence. The ways our students are communicating are always changing. It almost seems as soon as we get comfortable with one, a new one comes along.

The ways that most students of all ages are comfortable using today are texting, instant messaging, email, many forms of social media, and video calling. What does the future hold? We just don't know. Digital communication has changed our lives in many positive ways.

For instance, because of digital communication more opportunities are available. Relationships grow, personal growth is able to occur, and people can be more productive.

But there are also many stories of youngsters, and adults as well, who have failed to make wise, careful, and well thought out decisions when it comes to digital communication. There's always the risk of invasion of privacy, identity theft, embarrassing, or threat to one's safety.

The goal of communicating responsibly is to communicate with people in a way that is safe, appropriate, and beneficial to the online community. Students, and adults, need to be reminded that digital communication leaves a permanent record and it can never really be deleted, and that personal information should never be shared. This could potentially lead to embarrassing situations, or even worse.

It's time to summarize what we learned today. We began by reviewing the nine elements of digital citizenship. We defined the term digital communication. We talked about the many forms of digital communicate that exist. We spoke of the consequences, both positive and negative, and also learned about communicating in a responsible manner.

Today's food for thought is going to require you to take a look at the history of your digital communication and ask yourself, have you ever sent or posted something that you wish you could have back. I know I have.

For more information on how to apply what you learned in this video, please view the additional resources section that accompanies this presentation. The additional resources sections include hyperlinks useful for applications of the course material, including brief descriptions of each resource. Thanks again for watching. Have a great day.