Unit 2: Basic Electronic Communications
Unit Overview
Electronic mail (e-mail) is probably the most widely used application on the Internet. The capabilities of e-mail (sending messages and attaching files worldwide) lend themselves to virtually endless educational applications. Indeed, electronic communication has the power to transform instruction and student learning, erasing constrictions of time and distance. Communicating electronically, students can receive information from experts in many fields (scientists, "ask an expert" resources, and authors) or interview people who can provide primary source material (such as Holocaust survivors, WWII veterans). E-mail is a critical tool for regional, national, and international collaborative projects. Aside from its potential role in student projects, e-mail plays a pivotal role in communications among the various Generation www.Y participants.
Simply stated, netiquette is network etiquette. Netiquette addresses the uniqueness of the culture of cyberspace and provides a set of rules for behaving properly online. Knowing and following the rules of netiquette help insure that students will communicate more effectively, without embarrassing themselves or being disrespectful to others.
A listserv, or mailing list, is simply a form of "group"
e-mail. By maintaining an automated list of subscribers’ addresses, a listserv
facilitates the exchange of information on a given topic.
This unit introduces students to the standards of netiquette, the features and
capabilities of e-mail, and the potential opportunities offered by listservs.
The unit also extends the skills and understanding of those students with previous
e-mail experience.
Activities & Prioritized Objectives
Following the completion of Unit 2, students will be able to:
| Activity 1—Netiquette | ||
| 1.1 | Review and understand AUPs and rules of conduct regarding e-mail accounts and use for your school | |
| 1.2 | Identify practices that are in keeping with netiquette and implement them appropriately | |
| Activity 2—Understanding E-Mail | ||
| 2.1 | Understand how e-mail works | |
| 2.2 | Describe the "anatomy" of an e-mail address | |
| 2.3 |
Identify the parts of an e-mail message |
|
| Activity 3—Using E-Mail | ||
| 3.1 | Send and receive e-mail messages | |
| 3.2 | Delete, file, forward, and reply to e-mail messages | |
| 3.3 | Create e-mail folders (or mailboxes) and file messages in them | |
| 3.4 | Create personal address books with individuals and groups | |
| 3.5 | Send and receive attachments | |
| 3.6 |
Understand and use emoticons and acronyms |
|
| 3.7 | Create and use signature files (optional) | |
| Activity 4—Listservs | ||
| 4.1 | Understand the nature and purpose of listservs | |
| 4.2 | Subscribe to and unsubscribe from a mailing list | |
| 4.3 |
Explain the differences between the full and digest modes of a mailing list |
|
The lessons which support these objectives are included in The Generation
www.Y Program and Curriculum Guide, available from:
International Society for Technology Education
(ISTE), or by calling 1-800-336-5191.