Active learning ideas
Email remains the primary communication tool in the Irish professional landscape. This topic teaches students how to compose clear, professional emails, manage attachments, and understand the etiquette of digital correspondence. The NCCA framework emphasises the importance of tone and the appropriate use of features like CC (Carbon Copy) and BCC (Blind Carbon Copy).
Activity 01
Students are given a scenario (e.g., requesting a day off or reporting a tech issue). They must draft the email and 'send' it to a peer who provides feedback on tone.
What makes a professional email?
Activity 02
Present three scenarios where multiple people need to be contacted. Students decide whether to use To, CC, or BCC for each person and justify their choice to a partner.
How do we attach a file?
Activity 03
Groups research the best practices for sending attachments, including file sizes and naming. They create a 'Top 5 Rules' list for the class.
What is the difference between CC and BCC?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
BCC is just for hiding people you are gossiping with.
Explain that BCC is primarily for privacy when emailing a large group of people who don't know each other. A simulation of a newsletter mailing helps illustrate this professional use.
Emails are private and can be informal like text messages.
Discuss how emails are permanent records in a workplace. Use a 'Tone Check' activity where students rewrite informal texts into professional emails.
Methods used in this brief
Web Searching and Evaluating Sources
Students develop effective search strategies and critically evaluate the reliability of online information.
8 methodologies
Digital Citizenship and Online Safety
Students examine the importance of protecting personal data, recognizing phishing, and maintaining a positive digital footprint.
8 methodologies