Communication
Exchanging information with others on digital platforms using various strategies to collaborate, share, and communicate.
Guiding Questions
- Do I understand the needs of my target audience?
- Am I able to adapt my message and communication strategy appropriately for my audience and context?
- Can I use a variety of digital technologies (devices and platforms) to interact and share information with others?
- Can I share digital content across multiple devices, restricting access as appropriate?
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Open in Google SlidesFor more digital skills vocabulary resources, visit the Digital Skills Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| @ | (n) a symbol that means "at"; it is commonly used as part of email addresses. |
| algorithm | (n) a set of steps or instructions that a computer or person follows to solve a problem or complete a task |
| attach | (v) add a file to an email or message |
| attachment | (n) a file sent in an email or message |
| bcc | (n) blind carbon copy; this allows the sender of a message to hide the names of recipients (v) use blind carbon copy, hiding the names of recipients |
| block | (n) a ban that prevents access to something (v) to stop someone from contacting you |
| blog | (n) a personal website that is used as an online journal (v) post on a personal website that is used as an online journal |
| breakout room | (n) a subroom of a meeting room where participants can have discussions that are private or separate from the rest of the meeting attendees |
| camera | (n) a device for recording or broadcasting digital images |
| cc | (v) carbon copy; add one or more recipients to an email (on the "cc" line) so they receive a copy and are aware of what is being communicated |
| chat | (v) exchange text or voice messages in real-time through a computer network |
| click | (n) the act of pressing a button on a computer mouse or trackpad; similar to a "tap" on a touchscreen (v) press a button on a computer mouse or trackpad |
| click (social media) | (n) a single instance of Internet content being accessed |
| collaborate | (v) to work together with others to achieve a common goal |
| comment | (n) a note on shared media or documents (v) to write your reactions, thoughts, or questions in response to what someone else shared |
| compose | (v) write or create something |
| contacts | (n) a list of people that contains information you need to communicate with them |
| direct message (dm) | (n) a private communication between users of social media (v) to send a private message on social media |
| distribution list | (n) An electronic mailing list, made up of the recipients' email addresses |
| diversity | (n) the quality of being different, dissimilar, distinct; not the same |
| echo chamber | (n) an environment in which a person is exposed to only those opinions they agree with, so that their views are reinforced and alternative ideas are not considered. |
| edit | (n) a change in the text of a file, a website (v) make changes to a message, file, document, or website |
| (n) a system where people can send a message from one device to another (n) a message that is sent electronically (v) send a message electronically | |
| email address | (n) A unique identifier of the form username@domain name; it specifies a virtual location to which electronic messages can be sent |
| email application | (n) A system for transferring messages from one device to another |
| email signature | (n) a block of text at the bottom of a message that contains contact information |
| emoji | (n) a small digital graphic icon that is used to represent a concept or object |
| ethical AI | (n) the practice of creating and using AI in ways that are fair, safe, and respectful to people |
| event | (n) when people come together at a specific time for a reason |
| feed | (n) online content that constantly updates, such as news, a blog, or social media activity |
| follow | (v) subscribe to see content from an account on a social media platform |
| follower | (n) a subscriber to an account on a social media platform |
| forum | (n) a place (often on the Internet) where people can talk and share information |
| forward | (v) send a previously sent message to a new recipient |
| friend | (n) someone connected to another person on some social media platforms (v) connect with another person on some social media platforms |
| geotag | (n) a social media tag that assigns a geographical location (v) to add a tag to a photo, video, or post that assigns a geographical location |
| GIF | (n, slang) Graphics Interchange Format; a short video without audio, usually one which loops |
| group | (n) a number of social media users with a shared interest |
| handle | (n) one's username on Twitter/X, begins with "@" |
| hashtag | (n) a word or phrase preceded by a hash sign (#) that is used to identify messages on a specific topic |
| inbox | (n) an electronic folder that messages can go in |
| influencer | (n) a person who can impact the choices that others make through the use of social media |
| like | (n) a mark made by a viewer to show support for an online post (v) mark a post on the Internet to show support |
| link | (n) a word, picture, or URL that you click to go to another page or location (v) to connect a word, picture, or URL to another page or location |
| location sharing | (n) act of allowing a device's GPS to share location info with an app |
| meme | (n) humorous media such as images, video, or text which is copied and circulated online |
| mention | (n) a social media post that calls attention to a person or brand (v) post on social media calling attention to a person or brand |
| message | (n) a note, text, or email sent electronically (v) send a note, text, or email electronically |
| microphone | (n) a device that allows sound to be captured and transmitted electronically |
| mute | (v) turn the sound off a speaker or microphone |
| Netiquette | (n) online conduct that is appropriate and courteous to other Internet users |
| network | (n) a group of people connected to share information, usually for business (v) make or use social connections, usually for business |
| policy | (n) the official rule or idea that explains how to act in certain situations |
| post | (n) a message or other media added to a website or discussion board (v) add a message or other media to a website or discussion board |
| privacy settings | (n) website and software options that allow a user to set boundaries on what information is shared with others |
| profile | (n) a short, online description of a person |
| recipient | (n) the person an email or message is addressed to |
| reply | (n) a response to an email or message (v) respond to sender of email via email or to a sender of a message via text. |
| reply all | (v) respond to everyone included in the original message |
| respect | (n) an attitude of consideration (v) give attention and consideration |
| send | (v) cause a message such as an email or text to go to another device |
| sender | (n) the person who causes a message or email to go to another device |
| settings | (n) options on a computer, device, or application that can be changed by the user |
| share | (v) Post or repost something on a social media website (v) Allow others to see, copy, or edit a document |
| sign in | (n) the username & password used to enter a device, account, or network (v) to access a secured program or web page on a computer; to log in |
| social media | (n) applications that allow users to interact and share information with each other |
| social media platform | (n) refers to a specific application that allows users to converse, share information, and create content |
| spam | (n) the email equivalent of bulk mail advertisements (v) send the email equivalent of bulk mail advertisements |
| subject line | (n) a place to enter the topic of an email for easy reference |
| tag | (n) a mention using "@" on social media to hyperlink to a person, place, or business (v) use ''@'' on social media to link to a person, place, or business |
| text | (n) a brief written message sent from one mobile device to another (v) send a brief written message from one mobile device to another |
| third-party app | (n) a software application created by a developer who isn't the manufacturer of the device the app runs on or the owner of the website that offers it |
| thread | (n) a series of messages, generally grouped by subject, in which all messages except the first are replies to previous messages |
| timeline | (n) a person's chronological history of activity on a social media platform |
| troll | (n) a person who makes deliberately offensive posts designed to upset someone (v) make a deliberately offensive post designed to upset someone |
| tweet | (n) a post on the social networking site Twitter, restricted to 280 characters or less (v) post on the social networking site Twitter |
| unmute | (v) restore the sound on a speaker or microphone, having previously muted it |
| video call | (n) a kind of telephone call that has both audio and video |
| video conference | (n) an arranged video phone call between more than two parties |
| view | (n) the observation of a web page, post, video, etc. by a user (v) to look at a web page, post, video, etc. |
| viral | (adj) circulated rapidly and widely on social media |
| voice chat | (n) when two or more people use the computer to have a spoken conversation |
| webchat | (n) a conversation that takes place, usually in text, over the World Wide Web. |