How to use email & How to use chat

Judith Fernandez Diaz

2014


Nowadays, more than ever, technology is part of our lives and incredible necessary
in many areas. Regarding education, it has a fundamental participation in the learning
process to have students more involve while learning by getting their attention, motivation,
and participation. Communicating with students outside and inside the class is necessary in
many aspects, that is why email is a great tool to use in class, or English classes
specifically.
Email is a well-known application that people use today to communicate regardless
the range, either if it is something personal or formal. Email gives a lot of facilities and
benefits that could definitely work for a teacher in current or future classes. Having students
using email can develop their writing and grammar skills, as well as vocabulary since they
have to be writing all the time, and probably students might get concern that their emails
are sent correctly, therefore they will like them to look good, besides, the professor could
get to inform students about important information outside the class such as: material
needed for next class, change of plans regarding a project or exam, cancelation of lessons,
homework details, feedback, scores etc. Also personal conversations, for instance, when a
student cannot attend to class for a determined reason. ICT might work as a great help for
teachers as well as for students. There are even some teachers that do not like to be
bothered, or lets better say, contacted by phone, in no class time, since they might like to
have their space and personal life away from their students. In this particular situation,
being contacted by email will be a perfect way to discuss whatever the student want to
inform and/or ask. Another important aspect is that students while using email, could get in
contact with people from other countries, if the teacher allows them, and eventually being
constant with the native language, as well as obtain interesting and important information
from other cultures that will help them in the future for projects, homework and so on. A
great point to have into account is that Email is a very easy tool to manage and most of
people have access to it. It is simple and at the same time students will keep on working
with technology in class.
It is important for every professor to have in mind either if the students are
familiarized with the application or not, if they know how to use it and what is the object of
using it or not. Learners always have to know what kind of language is the best to use in
emails, even though it is a non-formal email, they have to know the mechanics or rules to
be used. There are two basic skills that students must manage when sending emails, these
are: communication skills and technical skills. The communication skill is attached with the
fact of knowing basically the type of language to be applied and the formality. For instance,
the emoticons, capital letters, misspelling, lower case, abbreviations etc. The idea is for
them to know that there are some limitations when typing that can deeply alter the
message, and that they have to be respectful when sending an email. These tips will not
only help them during class or in school, but also in their personal lives.
According to the technical skills, is relevant to teach students that using an email
even though is an easy tool, it also includes certain things that they have to keep in mind to
avoid future issues, such as the viruses that they might find in an email, they type of emails
that are acceptable, also how to manage folders for important files or just junk. The fact that
they know what an spam is, and what to do in case they find something irregular in their
inbox. The simple details as well, such as how to attach documents to emails and/or
images, how to send and receive and email how to edit the message etc. At the end, the
idea is to get the student motivated to use the tool and most important, to know how to use
it correctly. It will not only help students for future assignments, but it will also help teacher
not to deal that much when using the tool itself in a specific task. As long as the information
given to the learner is good, eventual projects in class will work nicely.
An interesting task that we could do in class when using email with students is the
Keypal, basically, a Keypal is a project in where two groups of students from different
countries who are learning the same language can have contact to share their experiences,
likes and dislikes. If I get to use Keypal in future classes, I might like to use a topic that can
result very attractive to the learner so they want to participate. It will be definitely good to
have a contact with a teacher from an English speaking country such as Canada, Australia
maybe Netherlands or Germany. Although using a keypal is great opportunity to get the
students more involved in the learning process it might also bring some difficulties that
might affect the process. Therefore, the teacher must be very careful when setting this type
of project that can completely change the flow of the class and make it very dynamic.
Another tool that can be successfully used in class time is the Chat. In these times,
chatting is something very popular and known among teenagers, students and people in
general. Most students have access to their computers at home or even with their
cellphones, they are constantly chatting all day long and because of that they are very
familiar with it. Having students chatting during class time with learners in other parts of the
World is something amazing that can expand their knowledge in great terms, since the
conversations are in real-time and they dont have to wait for responses or so. Chatting will
give students security during class time and will develop their English skills even more, as
well as the new vocabulary they will be learning every day. Having a Chat session is
something really good to have into account in English classes.
Teacher can have their students practicing English in class while chatting with other
people around the world, with students from other institutions in the country or even with
the same classmates in some basic and short activities. It brings enthusiasm to the
learners since everything is in real time. Using Chat in class is not difficult and can be used
for simple or difficult tasks, as well as different levels. There are many professors who have
this technique to teach English or other languages and are willing to create a web chat
group where students can interact and practice two important skills such as it is writing and
reading. Linking groups from different cultures is something that can bring many activities
to the class like having the students sharing with their classmates their academic
conversations, or doing presentations where they have to explain a little bit their
experiences. By doing this, teachers are not only educating on how to use the tool but also
opening new doors of exploration where the learners can feel inspired to use it at home and
continue practicing every day.
There are some discrepancies whether if it is better to use text chat or voice chat
during class time, since they are different from each other and include some other details
that are important to point out. Also the fact that the skills that the student was using in text
chat will eventually switch. While text chat is about typing and reading, voice chat implies
speaking and listening, and these are definitely points to have in mind, especially according
to the level that students have at the moment, or the ability to communicate. For instance,
using a voice chat would imply installing some software for it to be available, as well as
having microphones or web cams. The access to internet is fundamental when using voice
chat and that sometimes might be a problem, we all know that connection might come and
go and there is not expectations or time frames to know if it is going to be constant or not,
and for a lesson plan, not having internet will completely affect the direction of the class.
Voice chat cannot be used with huge groups and it cant either be used with beginners
since the communication skills have to be very good for the activity to work.
Overall, including Chat in English classes is very effective and will make your
students feel good and attached with the subject. It will engage them to new performances
that will create more confidence while they are learning. It will force them to think and to
apply previous data. It will make them communicate either speaking or writing and it will
magnify their talents and knowledge even more. As long as it is possible, I truly believe that
every teacher should have into account using Chat during class time.