Overview 

• Task: Develop new relationships and create authentic conversations in WhatsApp.   
• Purpose: To practice skills of communicating and listening online.

Mediated communication is any communication that takes place using communication technology. This includes social media, email, texting, and video conferencing.

Source: Pexels.com.

Netiquette describes the rules of acceptable ways of communicating online. Just as there is etiquette in person (not standing too close, speaking too loudly, or interrupting), there are rules for polite behavior in an online setting. 

• Be respectful. There are real people with real feelings reading your comments.  
• Use your online nonverbal communication carefully. Be aware of too many emojis, all caps, or exclamation points – for some, this feels as though you are yelling.
• Be careful with humor or sarcasm as it may not translate online.  
• Consider the impression you are making with every post. Who are you online? Remember, grammar and spelling matter.  
• Don’t post inappropriate material.  
• Don’t post something that is too long. Respect other people’s time.
• Keep disagreement healthy. Some conversations are better in person. You can agree to disagree.  
• Respect your own privacy. Don’t post anything too personal.  
• When in doubt, stick to rules of conduct you follow in real life.
• Enjoy the experience of connecting with people all over the world. It’s an opportunity and blessing—as long as you use it this way.  

“The Lord, over the centuries, has had a hand in inspiring people to invent tools that facilitate the spreading of the gospel. The Church has adopted and embraced those tools, including print, broadcast media, and the Internet” (Elder M. Russell Ballard, 2008.)    

Practice “online listening” skills in WhatsApp this week as we work together to develop new relationships and create authentic conversations in WhatsApp. This only works if students are willing to invest—and when it does, you will leave with a richer classroom experience for the friendships you have created.    

Instructions

Initial Post - Due Midweek

In your WhatsApp group 

1. Post or answer a question about anything you want with your classmates. Create a post that promotes discussion by either asking a question or requesting opinions or contributions. Examples: books you enjoy, favorite recipes, pets, sports, advice for school, Conference talks. 

Responses - Due End of the Week

1. Comment or reply at least 10 times this week to fellow classmates' posts on WhatsApp.
2. Check in on at least two separate days, so you can fully invest in online conversations. A skilled mediated communicator will also watch and respond to comments on his or her initial post, spurring on further discussion.  
3. Enjoy this opportunity to spend a week listening in an online setting. It is great practice, and it can also be fun. 
4. Indicate you are done with your assignment by going to the W03 Discussion: Listening Online assignment in Canvas and doing the following:
   • Select Start Assignment of this Canvas assignment
   • Copy/paste the text of your initial WhatsApp post in the Text Entry box. 
   • Include which which days and dates you posted. One day should be before the midweek deadline. 
   • Include that you had at least 10 posts. (If fewer, note how many posts you included.)    
   • Summarize two interactions you had with two other students. Include each by name. INTERACTION on my post: How you responded to someone who responded to your initial post. INTERACTION on someone else's post: How you responded to a classmate's initial post.  
   • Select Submit Assignment.
   • (Your assignment will not be graded unless you complete this step.)

Omari’s Example on WhatsApp 

I love fútbol (soccer to those in the United States.) My dad was a big fan of Pele, but in my opinion, Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player ever. Who do you think is the greatest football player?   

Example of Feedback to Omari’s WhatsApp Post 

You make a good point—Pele was an icon, with his three World Cups, and Ronaldo is fun to watch, but I consider Lionel Messi a contender for the best. Do you think it should be based on World Cups, records held, or points made in a single game?     

Omari’s Reply Example on WhatsApp 

You make a good point, so I’ll agree Messi might be the greatest of all time because he’s won the Ballon d’Or award more than Ronaldo. (I still think Ronaldo is more fun to watch!) What do you think about Karim Benzema or Sunil Chhetri? 

Example of Omari’s Submission to be graded in Canvas  

My initial post:  I love fútbol (soccer to those in the United States.) My dad was a big fan of Pele, but in my opinion, Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player ever. Who do you think is the greatest football player?   

My days: I posted Monday Jan 2 and Thursday Jan 5. 

My accountability: I posted 10 times. (I actually posted more!) 

Interaction ON MY POST: Pedro is from Brazil, so he was pretty opinionated about Pele being the greatest player ever. We had a good interaction/debate that went back and forth with several posts.  

Interaction ON SOMEONE ELSE'S POST: Jin asked what our favorite classes were, so I recommended a business class I had taken last block.