Look at a variety of ways to communicate using technology.

1. Communicating
Online
Tools and Tricks

2. Objectives of today’s class:
• Describe variety of communication methods which can be done online
• Demonstrate techniques of online communication
• Compare and contrast techniques of online communication including VoIP,
document sharing, blogs, forums and online communities
• Demonstrate understanding of online communication by performing tasks
related to communication including opportunities to set up a Skype
account, upload files to an online drive, view example of community
powered Google earth, upload pictures &/or videos to the cloud, find a
relevant group or forum and discover ways to use the community for
answers and advice

3. Lesson 1: Email
• We discussed components of Gmail,
which is the Google owned Email
• For a detailed look at Gmail visit:
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/gmail
• Also will look at Google Translate
http://translate.google.com/

4. Lesson 2: VoIP
• Skype http://beta.skype.com/en/
– Need: a webcam (optional), internet connection, and a microphone and
speaker (can be installed on the computer already).
– Download Program. You will have to create a user name and password.
– To use, find the program on your computer and open it. You will have to
include your username and password.
– To find a new contact, click on Contacts and then Add a Contact. Fill in any of
the details that you have. It will generate an automatic email. Send it to them.
– If someone wants you as a contact, it will appear as “pending” on your page.
Click on it and agree. They will then show up in your contacts.
– You can use the same Skype account on all your devices (mobile, laptop,
desktop). However, you will have to download the program or app prior to
using it, and then open the program or app before using it.
Next…

5. Lesson 2: VoIP
Other examples of VoIP:
• Facetime: Used with Apple devices
• Google Plus Hangouts: Must have
Google account
• Chat rooms: Can be “iffy”, use caution

6. Lesson 3: Share
documents
• Google drive: Sign in through Google account
• Evernote: Download Evernote https://evernote.com/
– tutorial: http://www.slideshare.net/margie_comaling/evernote-
tutorialspdf-7286379)
• Dropbox: Use online: https://www.dropbox.com/home
– tutorial:
http://www.slideshare.net/iamproudlypinoy2010/cherry-chua-
dropboxtutorial

7. Lesson 4: Share
pictures & videos
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/
• Panoramio:
http://www.panoramio.com/help
• Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/
• Picasa: Requires Google account
https://picasaweb.google.com/home

8. Lesson 5: Blogs
• Hosted blog: Blogger (free to Google
users) http://www.blogger.com/
• Unhosted blog: Download and install
software, store blog on host site.
Example: Wordpress
http://wordpress.org/

9. Lesson 6: Forums
& Groups
• Search Google groups:
https://groups.google.com/
• Example of a Google group: Dual n back
https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgr
oups#!forum/brain-training
• Search Yahoo groups:
http://messages.yahoo.com/

10. Lesson 7: Online
support groups
• Search online groups:
http://online.supportgroups.com/#
• Also, Google “online support groups” for more ideas
• Other examples:
– patientslikeme.com http://www.patientslikeme.com/
– Big Think http://bigthink.com/
– post secret (Caution, may offend some people)
http://www.postsecret.com/
– blurt it (for answers) http://www.blurtit.com/
– ask.com (for answers) http://www.ask.com/

11. There are many ways to
communicate. Try using some of
these ideas to build your own
communities based on your
needs and interests. Good luck!