Video Conferencing Tools
Get Started on Social Media
Privacy & Security on Social Media
Connecting via Email
Ways to Communicate Online
Positive Online Identity
Dealing with Misinformation
Cyberbullying & Trolling
Online Forums & Discussion Groups
Video Conferencing Tools
- Getting Started with Zoom (GCFLearn): Get comfortable using Zoom with friends & family.
- How to Use Zoom Course (TechBoomers): Organized by topic to get started with Zoom.
- Google Hangouts (GCFLearn): Get comfortable using Google Hangouts with friends & family.
- Google Meet Training (Google): Learn the basics of this video meeting platform.
- How to Use Google Hangouts Course (TechBoomers): Organized by topic to learn Google Hangouts.
- How To Use House Party (YouTube- Techboomers): Video chat & play games to connect.
- How to Use Facetime (Apple): iPhone users can use the built-in Facetime app to connect.
- Which Video Chat App Should I Use? (Vogue): Learn the difference between popular apps.
Get Started on Social Media
- Facebook Tutorial Series (GCFLearn)
- Facebook Basics Course (TechBoomers)
- Twitter Tutorial Series (GCFLearn)
- Introduction to Twitter Course (TechBoomers)
- Instagram Tutorial Series (GCFLearn)
- Introduction to Instagram Course (TechBoomers)
- Pinterest Tutorial Series (GCFLearn)
- Introduction to Pinterest Course (TechBoomers)
- Blog Basics & What is Tumblr (GCFLearn)Introduction to Tumblr Blogging (TechBoomers)
Privacy & Security on Social Media
- Securing Social Media Accounts & Devices (Stay Safe Online): Find best practices, tips and tricks for staying safe and keeping private information private on social media.
- Social Media Data Privacy Awareness (YouTube- Technology Services at Illinois): Find out how your information is collected and used on social media.
- How to Use Facebook Privacy Settings (Consumer Reports)
- Twitter Safety & Security (Twitter)
- 5 Safety Tips for Using Pinterest (TechBoomers)
- How to Use Instagram Privacy Settings (Consumer Reports)
- How to Use WhatsApp Privacy Settings (Consumer Reports)
Connecting via Email
- Email Basics (GCFLearn): Learn common email features, using calendars, and email etiquette.
- Gmail (GCFLearn): Learn how to use Gmail, Google’s free email service.
- How to Use Gmail Course (TechBoomers)
- 7 Google Privacy Settings You Should Enable Now (Mashable)
Ways to Communicate Online
- All About Online Communication (GCFLearn): Learn how and when to use different communication methods, including email, video chat, instant messaging, blogging, and more.
- 10 Ways to Communicate Using the Internet (Techwalla): Discover the history of online communication, if you’re interested in how the technology came about.
- Keeping Kids Safe in Cyberspace (Center for Parenting Education): A guide to help parents learn and navigate safe use of digital communication for children and teens.
- Evolution of Communication Across Generations (Notre Dame of Maryland University): Learn how different generations approach online communication, and how to bridge the gap.
Positive Online Identity
- Managing Personal vs. Professional Identify on Social Media: Queens University of Charlotte talks about how to navigate personal and professional life on social media.
- 6 Keys to a Positive Online Presence and Reputation: This article in Entrepreneur magazine provides some great tips for putting your best foot forward in the business world.
- Digital Footprint (Coursera): The University of Edinburgh offers an online course about how to build a positive professional presence online. The course is free to audit and can be upgraded for a certificate.
- LinkedIn & Professional Online Identity: Yale University offers a great set of recommendations for curating your professional online profile.
Dealing with Misinformation
- Email in Real Life: This is both entertaining and hits home in a lot of ways. See how email can be interpreted in all the wrong ways.
- 10 Digital Miscommunications- And How to Avoid Them: Harvard Business Review outlines some potential missteps in online communication, and how to avoid some of the major pitfalls.
- Why Is There So Much Miscommunication Via Email and Text? Psychology Today clears up a few questions about why we get so emotion about seemingly simple texts. Find out how to sit back and take a breather.
- (Video) The Importance of Nonverbal Cues as Told by “Friends”: This YouTube video uses scenes from the TV show Friends to show how communication can go wrong, and what we can do about it online.
Cyberbullying & Trolling
- What is Cyberbullying: StopBullying.gov is a thorough resource for learning about cyberbullying tactics, prevention, and impact on the lives of students.
- Top Ten Tips for Adults Who Are Being Harassed Online: This printable top ten list can help adults in need of assistance in the cyber world.
- Cyberbullying Research Center: Find a collection of resources for all ages.
- Coke’s Super Bowl Ad Puts Spotlight on Cyberbullying: This NPR article shows how big companies care about people. Help people turn a negative experience into a positive experience.
Online Forums & Discussion Groups
- How to Join an Online Forum (WikiHow): A step-by-step guide to find and join an online community or forum. You might have to try a few before finding one that works for you.
- List of Internet Forums (Wikipedia): Explore this long list of online communities to find a group that matches your interests, hobbies, or career goals. Note: Not all groups are still active!
Mozilla Forum Etiquette: The ground rules for participation in Mozilla’s forums can and should be applied to every forum and social interaction online.