Why to use The Live Communication Tools?

We are no longer living in a traditional society. We are living in a digital society. And technology provides us with tools that we use in our daily lives. 

Communication technologies allow us to connect and collaborate with others around the world. We use the Internet to communicate with each other; we find information that we need; we keep in touch with our families and friends; and we are constantly acquiring new knowledge and skills online.  

"According to FlexJobs’ 10th Annual Survey (conducted between July and August 2021), 58% of respondents report wanting to be full-time remote employees post-pandemic, while 39% want a hybrid work environment." Totaled together, that means 97% of workers are seeking some form of remote work. 

The rapid development of computer and Internet technologies has dramatically changed the ways of teaching and learning. At the same time ,COVID-19 has broken through cultural and technological barriers that prevented remote work in the past, setting in motion a structural shift in where work takes place. Remote or hybrid work is the new normal for many. 

    

What are The Live Communication Tools?

  • ZOOM  

  • HANGOUTS

  • MEET AND SO ON

  • EVALUATION TESTS

  • GOOGLE FORMS

  • MENTI-METTER

A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO USING ZOOM

Setting Up A Zoom Account

Zoom is a teleconferencing solution that allows you to have video conferences with multiple users. With Zoom, you can host or join teleconferences, make calls, and chat with other uses. Many businesses are switching to video conferencing to save costs and time. You should get on Zoom as well because the benefits are many. You can use Zoom from your smartphone and your computer.


Signing Up for Zoom

One of the first steps in setting Zoom up is signing up. You can sign up from your mobile phone or your computer. Follow these instructions;

1. On your browser, go to zoom.us

2. Click on the sign-up button.

3. There, you will be presented with options for the type of account to create.

4. Enter your name and password then click continue



Essential digital communication tools for the workplace

Brief Description 

This module is designed for the students to learn the importance of information , communication and digital technologies in the business projects, providing practical skills to support business projects.

The module focuses on the principles, tools and methods to use digital communications tools.

Participants will and develop basic skills  knowledge on how to effectively communicate in a graphical, written, or a verbal form and learn the approaches to a professional digital and visual communication.

Introduction 

- Digital Communication Technology is nothing more than a set of technological tools used in an embedded way, so that the company can reach its business objective faster and more intuitively.

- By implementing it, DCT can automate processes, improve learning, reduce costs and facilitate research, whether internal or external. In addition, by treating procedures with more effective and automated communication, it promotes improvement in the customer experience and generates greater consumer satisfaction with the brand.

- Digital communication tools in companies have been widely used by managers from different areas in order to provide better communication between employees and even with the public.

- DCT is being widely used. By using software, hardware and telecommunications in an integrated way, it can break down social, cultural and even technological barriers that hinder business success.

●Do you want to understand how this works?

Learning Outcomes

Essential digital communication tools for the workplace

• How to create a digital communication policy for your company

• Use digital communication in the workplace

What is digital communication?

- Digital communication is any type of communication that relies on the use of technology. There are many types of digital communication, commonly referred to as digital communi- cation channels.

These include email, phone calls, video conferencing, and many types of instant messaging like SMS and web chats. Even blogs, podcasts, and videos are considered forms of digital communication.

- This communication has become popular and can be used with different audiences of an organization.

- The reality of digital is inherent to the functioning of companies, because regardless of the size and field of action, the use of technology tools has become indispensable.

What is digital communication for?

Digital communication defines communication strategy and actions within the digital environ- ment.

The speed of digital innovation and the differences in its absorption and implementation requires new positions and knowledge from organizations and communication professionals, a lot of flexibility and creativity in  planning and managing communication processes.

In a world where globalization grows every day, the market is increasingly competitive, telecommunications services increase their offerings and the consumer is increasingly demanding, it is necessary to invest in this type of communication to differentiate the brand and stay active.

By implementing it, DCT can automate processes, improve learning, reduce costs and facilitate research, whether internal or external.

In addition, by treating procedures with more effective and automated communication, it promotes improvement in the customer experience

Main characteristics of digital communication:

> Relationship:  The relationship with the client is extremely important. To achieve good results, brands go to social networks.

> Engagement: Engagement is the way companies approach their audience.

> Content: Good content can influence consumers by retaining and retaining customers.

> Presence: Having a presence in digital is the realization of the company's results gain, since 66% of the population worldwide will be connected to the Internet by 2023. Besides being present, it is necessary to be available to the public, interacting and encouraging to know more about the brand, continue monitoring and consuming.

> More decentralized Less hierarchical

The main benefits of digital communication:

> Cost reduction: Investing in digital actions involves lower costs compared to printed materials.

> Greater reach: While printed materials have limited access, especially for geographical reasons, digital content can be accessed from anywhere.

> Measurement: There are several tools that allow the verification of results, which allows evaluating whether the type of strategy performed by the company is working or not.

> Qualified audience: In digital strategies, brands invest resources in an audience that is in fact interested in the product or service offered by the company.

Advantages of digital communication in the workplace

- Digital communication is fast, efficient, and convenient. An employee can have a conversation in real time with a colleague or client from the opposite side of the world without having to leave their desk. Company leaders can use digital channels to communicate with their entire global workforce at once, and use corresponding channels to effectively collect feedback from those employees.

- In fact, most modern marketing initiatives can be viewed as digital communication. Social media campaigns and video ads are simply a way for companies to mass communicate with potential customers in a way that is rapid and cost-effective.

- Looking at all the business areas that involve digital communication, it’s safe to say that modern technology has vastly improved the way companies operate. With easy and accessible ways to communicate, employees can spend their time focusing on more important tasks.

Disadvantages of digital communication in the workplace

As the business world embraces digital communication, there are a few disadvantages that have emerged from its use. For one, having constant access to communication tools can make it hard for employees to disconnect at the end of the work day.

Email notifications and pings from work apps follow them home through their smartphone, blurring the line between work life and personal life. Without having a chance to unplug, employees are more likely to experience burnout and other signs of overworking themselves.

Digital communication has also presented security challenges for many companies. Hackers can make their way into virtual meetings and hijack the call; email phishing opens a door for the entire organization’s online systems to be compromised.

Every time company data is transmitted over the internet, there is a risk that this information won’t remain private.

Essential digital communication tools for the workplace

Now that you know how to effectively use digital communication tools, which are the most important for your organization?

The answer is different for every company, but typically include the following:

>> Email client with built-in features; Chat/instant messaging; Project-based collaboration tool;

Video conferencing; Social Media; SMS Text Messaging; Email Marketing; Voice Calling.










Canva for Education

https://www.canva.com/education/

Canva for Education simplifies content creation, teamwork, and visual communication in the classroom and beyond. It is 100% free for kindergarten, primary and secondary teachers and students.

You can organize your classroom space, invite students, and manage classes, activities, or projects all in one place. From your dedicated class space, you can share and review work between Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, and more. You can also share assignments for students to complete.



MENTI-METTER

Mentimeter is a cloud-based solution that allows you to engage and interact with your target audience in real-time. It is a polling tool wherein you can set the questions and your target audience can give their input using a mobile phone or any other device connected to the Internet.


GOOGLE FORMS

Google Forms is a free tool from Google that allows you to do the following:

  • Create forms, surveys, quizzes, and such

  • Share the forms with others

  • Allow others to complete the forms online

  • Collect all the responses in a spreadsheet

  • Provide you with helpful summaries of the collected data with charts and graphs


You access Google Forms through the Google Drive screen or the Google Forms web app.

You can use Google Forms with your personal Google account, or through a Google Apps for Education account. With a Google Apps for Education account you can also do the following:

  • Require that respondents be from your Google Apps domain.

  • Collect respondents usernames.

Creating a new form

Once you are in Google Drive you can create a new form as follows:

  1. Click the New button in the top left corner .new-button.png

  2. Then click More from the drop-down menu.

  3. Finally click Google Forms from the pop up menu.

  4. Your blank form will now be created.

  5. To name your form, type the title in the box where is currently reads Untitled form.  You can always change this later.

  6. Your form is now ready for you to edit.


Adding collaborators to the form

Just like with other Google Documents, you can give other people edit rights to collaborate on the creation of your form. To add collaborators:

  1. From the edit mode of the form click File in the top menu bar.

  2. Then click Add collaborators...

  3. The normal Sharing settings window will open where you can share the form with other people.


Editing the form description

After creating your form, you can optionally add text for a description. Usually this is where you can explain to the user the purpose of the form, any special directions, or other helpful information.

  1. Below the title of the form, there is a box labeled Form Description.

  2. Simply click and type in that box to add your description.

  1. You can include web addresses in the description box and they will show as clickable links on the live form.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/2UygWI8CooGQUOjueouDTVbkI9a3jvscnDGMTUTKpfxtbDpa32uXtmwb3dUmEM7Yt9Ktf12PWfsq-GHIhQenIuCzPE2ADsNiI_JZVqjXkVF0JelR_GYQbJ-sGGYgvyrkBRDq7w=s800


Editing form questions

When you create your form, your first question will be created as well. You can edit the question as follows:

  • For Question Title you can type in the question you wish to ask.

  • or Help Text you can add additional directions or clarification for the question.

  • For Question Type you can choose between nine different types of questions (explained later).

  • If the question type needs a list of answers (such as multiple choice or checkboxes) then you can fill in the available answers.

  • To force the user to answer the question, check the Required question box.

  • Click Done when finished.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0HPQGuvu7_pWiPZWoPo_TSKCYtrcH5QIyGGvD7daguPZno-HvZdWcp5qZn2W29pxQJmlAlJV2b-afQYPiL-bpssHpGzKwkMQp33e4zZxty5l7H2Co7fQD7_NrAtOihH2aNLxw=s800

At any time you can also do the following to a question:

  • You can edit a question by clicking the edit button (the pencil icon) in the top right corner.

  • You can duplicate a question by clicking the duplicate button (the double-page icon) in the top right corner.

  • You can delete a question by clicking the delete button (the trash can icon) in the top right corner.

  • You can change the order of questions by clicking and dragging a question to a new location.

Adding more questions and other items

In addition to the one question you begin with, you can add more questions and other items to your form.

  • To add an item you can click the Add item button below your last question, or click Insert in the top menu bar.

  • The items you are able to add include:

  • Basic question types: Text, Paragraph text, Multiple choice, Checkboxes, Choose from a list

  • Advanced question types: Scale, Grid, Date, Time

  • Layout items: Section header, Page break, Image

add-item-new.png


Question types

There are nine different types of questions you can include in a form:

1 - Text type

  • For the Text type question, you simply type in a question and the user gets a one-line text box to enter their response.

  • For the Advanced setting you can choose Data Validation to make the user’s response match a certain value, type, or pattern.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/osi5pplRcs_IG8Nu903oRVORX_WCBJdC_h8BYe98rAReqzSqTIfjSEedfry-v7c-V55QiyM9wLyERrr9qJba3Tqq02_XYHdZkDit1thn3qyoN9_FIrzGUEav_lRBrTOZIC-1rw=s800

2 -Paragraph type

  • For the Paragraph type question, you simply type in a question and the user gets a multi-line text box for their response.

  • This type of question is well suited for open-ended or essay type responses.

  • For the Advanced setting you can choose Data Validation to make the user’s response match a certain value, type, or pattern.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a_sB5mKecKIK-mFInY0HtcOeg4DBUdCaS1Y5T6tJY73RJB_X8CKmAX_8rMcGMURXcMKzar3IzbNU_X7PZk3Ol1qjD0_LImvjAodJ7Ml268XWMPm4wlJcVg15gSl8v3AXEe-tkQ=s800

3 - Multiple Choice type

  • For the Multiple Choice type question, type in your question.

  • Then enter in as many options as you wish for the answer choices. You can also copy and paste in your list if you have it typed up elsewhere.

  • You can also choose to add the Other option where the user will be allowed to add and choose a write-in choice for your list.

  • When the user completes the question, they may only choose one of the choices you have provided

  • For the Advanced setting your can choose Shuffle option order to randomize the answer choice order

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Noc8qxlrjuAk2EPElONLOUf5jduuJJkBYfd_8KrQym2hbyOkB-ZQ6rIULOj8CgPVt93oq21Adsa_gxC46Lo4z9oiXH4vCwJaG7NX8V1fHY0PcsqeQiP6AoK2lP2il006LHGo1w=s800

4 - Checkboxes type

  • For the Checkbox type question, type in your question.

  • Then enter in as many options as you wish for the answer choices. You can also copy and paste in your list if you have it typed up elsewhere.

  • You can also choose to add the Other option where the user will be allowed to add and choose a write-in choice for your list.

  • When the user completes the question, they can choose as many of the choices as they wish from what  you have provided.

  • For the Advanced setting your can choose Shuffle option order to randomize the answer choice order, or Data Validation to make the user choose a certain number of responses.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TXUFfT8IY-tkXfWEzEZupZoxx9gNysfOycpZGpfGJJDl7hpPhAENZQuVR38-l3rD9TOw3MO4F6Cb9Tiz0ap9LRZeVkPmDustLoubXNA5mGsVw4_VICsbtNlU44YHuGJX6F8oAQ=s800

5 - Choose From a List type

  • For the Choose From a List type question, type in your question.

  • Then you can enter in as many options as you wish for the answer choices. You can also copy and paste in your list if you have it typed up elsewhere.

  • Note: There is not an Other option like in the Multiple Choice and Checkbox types.

  • When the user completes the question, they may only choose one of the choices you have provided from a drop-down list.

  • For the Advanced setting your can choose Shuffle option order to randomize the answer choice order

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/iCQxR_kBxwIhfViQiv1VVyWi19RogqNRaBhNC6A4gB7xs1kWwAxTXS-Snmxj_7grDMDdUcrhYx1ULdmAhUyiqBP0-tknogc0ADJpo_Lu9ag_KohIG9nR2vPdVpdfxCA6zStQxQ=s800

6 - Scale type

  • For the Scale type question, type in your question

  • Then you enter the starting point (0 or 1) and the ending point (up to 10) for your scale

  • Optionally you can enter labels for the endpoints of your scale such as “Disagree the most” and “Agree the most”, or “Lowest ranking” and “Highest ranking”

  • The user will be presented with a scale of values on which to place their response

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/qgLTOIjIwrRTOgfuhXRVnZxpfXEjgel0gTn2p2d--raawvXF2oEX7n0o5P6a5fXh3uAbgw9jGzS1bjmvaKZA7N98NbCIqSbMZRFKxRwHdyI9ik2P2TmnqOmdl9Wu0adNt0a_YQ=s800

7 - Grid type

  • For the Grid type question, begin by typing in your overall question or directions that will apply to each question in the grid.

  • Then choose how many columns you want in the grid (1 to 5), and you provide descriptive labels for each column

  • Then enter as many rows as you wish for the grid, and enter a question or statement for each.

  • When the user completes the question, they will be presented with a grid of rows and columns and will need to click a single cell to place their response for each row.

  • For the Advanced setting your can choose Shuffle row order to randomize the row display order

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qBa2iMWfLVNlU1S-QcsqPWlZdsBii-Z2PhtFrbVyVHyd6CTv2jb4KAdYmCA4dSiMg3zuZXXV8R3dXwnuDDrY6fG_kDOQovL0cdqHbLcxwvXRAJibfecJ0jJOs_rL5ku2FEwY7A=s800

8 - Time type

  • For the Time type question you can choose either the time of day format or duration format with hours, minutes, and seconds.

  • The user will then select the time or duration using drop down menus and up/down arrows.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/d15cqafWmQyVhy3pOQUFAhc0F4gK7uxr2PB9o7IpCDP2KQa0rBGmBA6Gg_xh3DmLKMpfWF9_Qd_2-t8Awyj1F4Twp9gebNZwbF8CuuUxNzlu84GZj6kxx2dZXw1AHYnAPEnHEA=s800

9 - Date type

  • For the Date type question the user will simply choose a date from a drop down box or with up/down arrows.

  • You have the option to include the Year or not.

  • You have the option to include the Time or not.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0D7lWOXqXZe_rQwcko3hTBg6IXaxFqv76aUeBYWtOX1hrfvR9KY-srltdpOfYl4oItqt_h_HAikT7VI2EJV5SaLsMgknpHaWs4xSscLNp7l5VEJHYKbt6AJZ0_87sV-E9oJ_IA=s800


HANGOUTS

Google Hangouts is an easy way to stay in touch with all the people synced to your account. It’s a free social service that lets you communicate by sending text messages, pictures, videos, and emojis. You can send messages to people whether they’re online or not and host free group video calls for up to 10 people at a time. 




What is Zoom?

Zoom is a cloud-based video communications app that allows you to set up virtual video and audio conferencing, webinars, live chats, screen-sharing, and other collaborative capabilities