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Digital Literacy: Tutorial 1: Become a Good Digital Communicator

By following this guide on digital literacy, users will be able to communicate, use and apply digital technology in multiple formats presented via computers and perform tasks effectively in a digital environment.

Becoming a good communicator

Image: Pixabay

  • Who is going to be your audience?
  • What will your audience be interested in? 
  • Facebook is a good platform to build relationships and a dedicated following.
  • With Facebook you can stay in touch with friends and family by sharing news, updates, photos and check-ins.

 

                                                          
  • Twitter is a good platform to create awareness of an issue. Twitter utilises the hashtag # which organises a word or phrase around the word (Accion). By searching hashtags you can learn about the latest topics of conversation and  real- time news.
  • It also gives you ideas to create your own tweets.
                                                                                                                                                                                       
  • Pinterest is a visual-based platform to share visual information such as images, art work and photos etc. These visual images are pinned to a board and the collections have common themes.
  • Pinterest allows you to share common tastes, interests with others and  discover people with similar interests and tastes.
                                                                  
YouTube is a free video search engine platform, where you can watch, download and upload video content. 
  • Instagram is similar to YouTube and relies on photos and videos for conversation (Accion)
  • This platform is useful for generating followings.
                  
  • LinkedIn has an older audience and has focused content.
  • It is a good platform for making connections with others or with someone you admire professionally. You can request to connect with them.
  • You can explore the profile of others and examine career paths.
  • You can review job listings and skills of other professionals.
                  
  • A blog is a personal diary shared online (like a type of journal).
  • By blogging (verb) writers share ideas and views on a specific subject.
  • Information is posted on this blog with the latest post appearing first
  • A blog is a great way to connect to an audience( Firstsiteguide).
                    
  • TikTok is a short-form, video-sharing app that allows users to create and share 15-second videos, on any topic.

 

Image: Pixhere

  • Follow proper grammar and punctuation rules when communicating online
  • Always proofread before sending or posting the content
  • Bad grammar and spelling errors portray a poor impression
  • Understand word choice and meaning
  • Use active voice instead of passive voice. 

Source: Ohio State University Press Books

Image: Pixabay

  • Tying in ALL CAPS comes across as aggressive and is perceived as shouting. 
  • Readers will not take you seriously and they may not respond to you at all.

Source: (Ashley Brooks, 2019)

  • Statements made face-to-face can be understood as joking, but can be interpreted as rude and offensive online. Think carefully about the wording and look at it from the viewpoint of others without the visual indicators.

Source: Susan Bearder

Communicating online is very different than communicating face-to-face. Knowing how to communicate in online spaces is key to having a good digital footprint.