Email & Digital Communication

Outcomes

You will know how email works and why and when we use it.
You will know proper email etiquette for the workplace and personal use.
You will set up your own Gmail account.
You will send, receive, and reply to several emails including attachments.
You will know basics of and proper usage of other modern digital communication.

Lessons

Email 101

This introductory course will teach you the basics about email, including understanding how email works, where you get email service from, and how you communicate properly and safely online.

Introduction to Email

To begin, click the button below. When you reach the end of the lesson close the tab and return to this page to complete any activities or quizzes. If there are none you can move on to the next subtopic.

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Introduction
Getting to know email
Understanding email addresses
About email providers
Email productivity features

Email Basics

To begin, click the button below. When you reach the end of the lesson close the tab and return to this page to complete any activities or quizzes. If there are none you can move on to the next subtopic.

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Introduction
Understanding the email interface
Common email terms and actions

Contacts and Calendars

To begin, click the button below. When you reach the end of the lesson close the tab and return to this page to complete any activities or quizzes. If there are none you can move on to the next subtopic.

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Introduction
Contact basics
Calendar basics

Email Etiquette & Safety

To begin, click the button below. When you reach the end of the lesson close the tab and return to this page to complete any activities or quizzes. If there are none you can move on to the next subtopic.

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Introduction
Tips for email success
Email attachment etiquette
Using email in business
Email safety

Email Violations Can Jeopardize Your Job

To begin, click the button below. When you reach the end of the lesson close the tab and return to this page to complete any activities or quizzes. If there are none you can move on to the next subtopic.

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Online Phishing Scams

To begin, click the button below. When you reach the end of the lesson close the tab and return to this page to complete any activities or quizzes. If there are none you can move on to the next subtopic.

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QUIZ:
Whew, you made it through the lesson! Before you take any quizzes you'll need to create an account on GCFLearnFree.org so that your progress can be recorded. Once you've done that return to this page.

Now it’s time for a quick test of your skills. First, make sure you are logged in. Next, click the link below to take the quiz. When you are done return to this page to complete the next lesson.

Email 101 Quiz

Remember: You must get a 100% on each quiz. If you do not, go back and retake it until you do. If you need help with any question or concept don’t hesitate to ask your instructor or a classmate.

Gmail

Gmail is a popular, web-based email service provided by Google. Learn the basics of how to compose, send and respond to emails, in addition to exploring Gmail's features for managing your email and accessing it from your mobile devices.

Introduction to Gmail

To begin, click the button below. When you reach the end of the lesson close the tab and return to this page to complete any activities or quizzes. If there are none you can move on to the next subtopic.

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Introduction
Google Accounts
Get to know the Gmail Interface

Setting Up a Gmail Account

To begin, click the button below. When you reach the end of the lesson close the tab and return to this page to complete any activities or quizzes. If there are none you can move on to the next subtopic.

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Introduction
Setting up a Gmail account
Signing in to your account
Adding contacts

ACTIVITY:
Open a new tab and follow the instructions to setup a Gmail account.

Keep the following things in mind:

Use your full first and last name.

Your username should ideally be your first initial followed by your last name (flast).

If that is not available try your first initial, middle initial, last name (fmlast).

If that is still not available try: firstlast, first.last, firstmiddlelast, or similar.

Do not include any numbers in your username.

Your password should be extremely secure. Follow these tips when creating your password.

If you already have an email address but it is not a Gmail account, please create one. Not only is it seen as the most professional but you will need it to access other Google services in this course.

If you already have a Gmail account but the username does not follow the guidelines above, you may want to create a new account. Check with your instructor to see if your current email address is okay.

If you already have a Gmail account that meets the above criteria then you are all set! Keep on going.

ACTIVITY:
Add at least three of your classmates as contacts to your address book along with your instructor. The items below are required. Any additional information is optional.

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone Number

Sending Email

Begin by watching the video below. Once you are done with the video you can use the links below it to dive deeper. You may also jump straight to the activity or quiz. If there are none you can move on to the next subtopic.

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/gmail Now that you've created a Gmail account, you can start sending email messages. Writing an email can be as simple as just typing a message, or you can use text formatting, attachments, and a signature to customize your message. When you write an email, you'll be using the compose window.

ACTIVITY:
Send an email to your classmates and instructor. Make sure to include the following:

To: At least two of the classmates you entered in your address book.

Cc: Your instructor.

Subject: Nice greeting. (Ex: Hello everyone!)

Body: Greeting, message, and signature. Ex:
Hi Maria and Chuck,

Just wanted to send a quick email so that you have my new email address.

Also, what are your plans for this weekend?

Talk soon,

Your name

ACTIVITY:
Add a signature to your account. This can be either just your first name or your first and last name. If anything, this makes it easier than typing your name every time you send an email.

Responding to Email

Begin by watching the video below. Once you are done with the video you can use the links below it to dive deeper. You may also jump straight to the activity or quiz. If there are none you can move on to the next subtopic.

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/gmail In addition to sending emails, you'll also be receiving emails from other people. Once you've read an email there are several different actions you can take to respond to the email.

Managing Email

Begin by watching the videos below. Once you are done with the videos you can use the links below it to dive deeper. You may also jump straight to the activity or quiz. If there are none you can move on to the next subtopic.

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/gmail As you use email more and more, your Inbox can become cluttered with old messages. It's important to keep your Inbox organized so that you can find messages when you need them. Luckily, Gmail provides several powerful tools that you can use to manage your emails.

Gmail for Mobile Devices

To begin, click the button below. When you reach the end of the lesson close the tab and return to this page to complete any activities or quizzes. If there are none you can move on to the next subtopic.

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Introduction
Gmail for mobile devices
Using the Gmail app

ACTIVITY:
If you have an iOS device, follow the instructions to set up your email on your iPhone and/or iPad. If you have an Android device, you’re already using Gmail so keep going!

QUIZ:
It’s time for a quick test of your skills. First, make sure you are logged in. Next, click the link below to take the quiz. When you are done return to this page to complete the next lesson.

Gmail Quiz

Remember: You must get a 100% on each quiz. If you do not, go back and retake it until you do. If you need help with any question or concept don’t hesitate to ask your instructor or a classmate.

ACTIVITY:
Email your results to your instructor.

While logged in, scroll to the bottom and click on My Account.

Scroll down and click on the View Learning History button underneath the Learning Progress header.

Click on Self-Paced Transcript.

Capture a copy of this page by either saving it as a PDF or taking a screenshot.

Log in to Gmail.

Compose a new email.

To: Your Instructor.

Subject: "Email and Digigal Communication Quiz Results"

Attach your screenshot or PDF.

Body:
Hi Mark,

Attached are the results of the quizzes that I just took for Email and Digital Communication. I scored 100% on all three and am ready to move on to the next module!

Your Name

Send your email.

Bonus: Beyond Email

Chat, Skype, Text, Like, Tweet, Blog, and Comment! If you want to communicate in the 21st century, then you will need to go beyond email. You'll learn many of the common ways you can talk and share online in today's world.

You do not have to do these short lessons and there will be no activities or quizzes associated to it but the links below provide some great information on other popular methods of communication in the digital world.

All About Online Communication

Chat and Instant Messaging

Online Phone Calls

Video Chat and Group Calls

Text Messages

Direct Messages

Social Posts, Status Updates, and Tweets

Likes, Comments, and Sharing

Blogging