For the most part, I use digital
communication appropriately, making distinctions between professional and
personal communications. I tend to
abbreviate more in personal texts and don’t always use complete sentences in
personal emails. When communicating with
colleagues, I’m relatively informal with some, but I carefully consider grammar
and structure. If texting someone with whom
I correspond infrequently or if I’m not sure I’m among their contacts, I try to
identify myself.
In respect to social media, my
children use some of the same platforms as I, and my friends and followers
include them and their friends.
Furthermore, my husband works in an upper-administrative role. With preteen, teenage, and professional
friends and followers in mind, I work to keep my posts and comments appropriate
to avoid embarrassing my family as well as friends and colleagues.
The biggest concern for students
and school staff regarding digital communication is that of audience awareness. That awareness should include more than just
one’s current friends and followers lists, but also potential audience members
such as schools and employers. If I
make the assumption that all my communication is under a microscope, I will be
more careful in what I say and how I say it.
Students – all users – need to be aware of the scope of digital
communication and how easy it is to share messages and images.
I wonder if we as educators have somewhat
given up on instructing students to communicate appropriately. Do we see a need and find opportunities to
instruct about texts, voicemails, and e-mails? Do we even require students to
make distinctions between how they communicate with peers as opposed to adults? Before we start addressing how to communicate
appropriately, students must know why it
is necessary.
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