Page 131 - Resources and Support for the Online Educator

Online Connections

When you connect online with other people, it’s important to be clear and
courteous. Context is crucial in what you’re communicating, and when
something is implied but not specifically stated, misunderstandings can
occur. Different generations and cultures have different norms and expec-
tations. Younger learners, for example, may use some abbreviations and
vocabulary that can be confusing to older people. When my parents bought
smartphones and we began texting, they didn’t understand memes or
common phrases such as “LOL,” so I had to explain them. Be conscious
of the language you use in online interactions and lean toward clarity.
The most common online miscommunication often occurs with humor,
sarcasm, and idiomatic phrases, because those don’t always translate to
other places or cultures. Start slowly and make conversation before diving
in too deep. In online communications, there is a tendency to cut to the
chase, but it can come off rude or overly assertive.

Teacher Tip

Robert Fish

When you put people together for a conversation online, it’s just like it is
in person: you have to start with some normal social interactions to break
down barriers and get people comfortable with one another. You can’t just
jump into deep questions. Once you let people get to know each other, even
superficially, it allows you to get to deeper interactions.

Chapter 12: Connections 101

STEAM Power: Infusing Art Into Your STEM Curriculum 131