Section outline

    • Introduction

      The aim of this topic is to introduce you to the communication tools on the eLearning platform. You will learn how to send private messages (Messaging), conduct public discussions (Discussion Forums) and Participate in an online lecture (web conferencing) 

      By the end of this topic, you will be able to:

      1. Distinguish between public and private communication
      2. Use communication tools for various academic tasks
      3. Add a contact(s) to your messaging setup
      4. Understand the rules of online communication (Netiquette)

      Your Tasks

      Before proceeding with the activities below, click on this link which contains information on netiquette. These are the rules that will guide you when interacting with your fellow participants within the online courses.

      After working on the activities below, attempt the Quiz .

      Activity 2.1: Messages

      The messaging tool is a 'private communication' tool. This allows for two users to privately communicate on the eLearning portal. You can also create a contact list of people who you will be communicating with frequently.

      • Download this document which contains instructions on using the messaging tool. Proceed and add people into your contact list and send out messages to the people on your contact list.

      Activity 2.2: Discussion Forum

      A forum is a 'Public communication' tool. Whatever is posted to the forum is accessible to all the course participants. In a forum, you can start a discussion or reply to a discussion (this is called threading).

      • To post in the discussion forum, click on the topic two discussions below, click on the "add a new discussion topic" button. Type the subject of your discussion and then the content of your discussion in the message section. 
      • To reply to an existing discussion, open the forum and open a discussion by clicking on its title. Scroll down to the bottom right side of the discussion and click on the 'reply' link. Type your reply and then scroll down and click on post to forum. Replies to a discussion make it easy to follow an evolving class discussion. When making replies, ensure your reply is relevant to the discussion you are replying to.
      • You can also attach a file that reinforces your contribution in the attachment section. 
      • Scroll down and click on '"post to forum"
    • Topic 2 Forum
      Not available unless: The activity Topic 1 Quiz: Creating your online Profile is marked complete
    • Students must
      Mark as done

      Activity 2.3.: Participating in an Online Lecture: Web conferencing

      The eLearning portal has a tool that enables you and other participants to have a real-time interaction with each other.These sessions can be recorded and accessible later.During the sessions, the presenters are provided with the tools to share presentations and their screen to the rest.This is is an ideal tool for holding online lecturers and presentations as well as demonstrating a software solution to class.ne class.This is referred to as the web conference tool. At the eCampus, this tool is used for theses, proposal, concept defenses and holding online lecturer sessions.

      • Download this presentation on the process of participating in an online class through web-conferencing
      • To successfully run the web conferencing feature ensure you have the following in place
        • 1Mbits download and 0.5 Mbits upload speed. You can test their actual bandwidth using speedtest.net.
        • A dual-core CPU with at least 2G of memory. 
        • Headphones with a microphone
      • Click on this link to join the web-conference room (Ask a friend to also join the web-conferencing room so that you can interact )
    • Netiquette Page
    • Topic 2 Quiz: Communication tools and Skills Quiz
      Not available unless: The activity Topic 2 Forum is marked complete
    • Activity Title: Web Conferencing is the most effective. External tool