Professional Skills: Digital Communication
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Professional Skills: Digital Communication
This course is part of multiple programs.
Instructor: Tyler Galarneau
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What you'll learn
Master the communication process in digital environments.
Effectively convey and interpret emotions in digital messages.
Choose the most appropriate digital medium for various communication needs.
Details to know
March 2026
4 assignments
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There are 5 modules in this course
Learn how to navigate emotional expression in digital spaces with confidence. This course equips professionals with actionable strategies to reduce miscommunication and strengthen digital connections.
From texts and emails to video conferences and chat platforms, digital communication is part of daily professional life. Yet conveying and interpreting emotion in these spaces can be challenging. This self-paced course, led by Dr. Nicholas Proferes of ASU's School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, explores how to express, decode and manage emotion effectively in digital settings. Learners will explore the foundations of the communication process, examine the unique barriers and biases present in online platforms, and develop skills to overcome miscommunication with empathy and clarity.
This module delves into the fundamental aspects of the communication process, particularly within digital environments. You will explore the causes and resources that influence effective communication, learn how to apply a structured communication process to your interactions, and practice asking clarifying questions to ensure understanding. This module aims to equip you with the tools to communicate deliberately and avoid common pitfalls in digital exchanges.
What's included
1 assignment7 plugins
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Quiz: Using the communication process•10 minutes
7 plugins•Total 44 minutes
- Using the communication process: Causes and resources•3 minutes
- Using the communication process: Using this process to communicate•5 minutes
- Practice the solution: Using the communication process•10 minutes
- Job aid: Communication process•3 minutes
- Reflect on the solution: Using the communication process•10 minutes
- Communicate deliberately and ask clarifying questions: Key takeaways•3 minutes
- Apply the solution: Asking clarifying questions•10 minutes
In this module, you will learn how to effectively convey and interpret emotions in digital communication. Understanding that digital interactions often lack the non-verbal cues of face-to-face communication, this module provides strategies for preparing messages with appropriate emotion and recognizing emotional nuances in others' digital communications. You will also practice these skills and reflect on how to improve your emotional expression in various digital formats.
What's included
1 assignment7 plugins
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Quiz: Showing emotion in digital ways•10 minutes
7 plugins•Total 45 minutes
- Showing emotion in digital ways: Causes and resources•3 minutes
- Showing emotion in digital ways: Preparing a message with emotion•6 minutes
- Practice the solution: Showing emotion in digital ways•10 minutes
- Job aid: Video conferencing tips•3 minutes
- Reflect on the solution: Showing emotion in digital ways•10 minutes
- Digital communication requires specialized approaches: Key takeaways•3 minutes
- Apply the solution: Effectively communicate emotion in a task request message•10 minutes
Selecting the right communication medium is crucial for effective digital interaction. This module will guide you through the process of choosing the most appropriate medium for your message, considering factors such as audience, purpose, and desired outcome. You will learn to inform your choice of medium based on these considerations, practice making informed decisions, and reflect on the impact of your choices on communication effectiveness.
What's included
1 assignment7 plugins
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Quiz: Choosing an appropriate medium•10 minutes
7 plugins•Total 47 minutes
- Choosing an appropriate medium: Causes and resources•3 minutes
- Choosing an appropriate medium: Informing your choice of medium•8 minutes
- Practice the solution: Choosing an appropriate medium•10 minutes
- Job aid: Know your audience•3 minutes
- Reflect on the Solution: Choosing an appropriate medium•10 minutes
- Effective communication requires knowing your purpose: Key takeaways•3 minutes
- Apply the solution: Pros and cons of digital communication media•10 minutes
Digital communication, while efficient, is prone to misinterpretations. This module focuses on strategies for effectively responding to digital miscommunications and confusions. You will learn to identify the causes of such misunderstandings, react constructively to emotional messages and errors, and apply techniques to de-escalate and resolve conflicts. The goal is to equip you with the skills to navigate challenging digital interactions with professionalism and clarity.
What's included
1 assignment7 plugins
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Quiz: Responding to digital miscommunication•10 minutes
7 plugins•Total 43 minutes
- Responding to digital confusions: Causes and resources•3 minutes
- Responding to digital confusions: Reacting to emotions and errors•4 minutes
- Practice the solution: Responding to digital confusions•10 minutes
- Job aid: How to respond to an emotional email in a professional way•3 minutes
- Reflect on the solution: Responding to digital confusions•10 minutes
- Prepare for inevitable miscommunications: Key takeaways•3 minutes
- Apply the solution: Responding to an emotionally charged email•10 minutes
This concluding module encourages you to provide valuable feedback through a survey, which helps in the continuous improvement of our educational offerings. Finally, it marks the completion of your course, acknowledging your dedication to enhancing your digital communication and emotional intelligence skills.
What's included
1 reading1 plugin
1 reading•Total 2 minutes
- End of course survey•2 minutes
1 plugin•Total 2 minutes
- End of course survey•2 minutes
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