FutureDotNow: Communication

Mastering communication tools is essential for schools to foster collaboration, enhance professionalism and prepare students for success in the workforce

This month, we continue our deep dive into the 20 essential digital tasks outlined in the FutureDotNow roadmap – a strategic guide designed to help businesses and organisations bridge the digital literacy gap. This month, we shift our focus to the second category outlined in the guidance – communication – which is at the heart of any thriving educational institution.

Effective communication in a digital landscape is about much more than sending an email or managing a social media account. It involves mastering the use of various tools and platforms to share information, collaborate efficiently, and engage with diverse audiences in a professional and impactful way. In a school setting, these skills are particularly important for ensuring clear communication between staff, parents and students while maintaining professionalism and safeguarding practices.

Essential Communication Tasks

Messaging Applications

The first task in the communication category of the FutureDotNow roadmap is mastering the use of digital messaging applications, such as Microsoft Teams or Slack. While you may assume your staff are already confident in using these platforms, you might be surprised to find that many are not leveraging them to their full potential.

For example, do your staff know how to effectively use advanced features such as file sharing, creating channels for specific projects or teams, setting up automated notifications, or integrating third-party apps to enhance productivity? To ensure your school is using messaging tools to their full capability, consider gathering staff input on their preferred platforms and assessing their comfort levels with existing tools. Start by holding a brief survey or informal focus group to learn what messaging tools staff find most user-friendly and effective.

Collaboration Tools

The next essential skill in the communication category is the ability to effectively use workplace tools to collaborate with colleagues. These tools, such as OneDrive, Dropbox, and WeTransfer, play a critical role in facilitating collaboration by enabling file sharing, co-editing documents and ensuring easy access to resources across teams.

However, while many staff members may have basic knowledge of these tools, they often miss out on their full range of features. For example, are staff aware of how to manage permissions to ensure only the right people have access to sensitive documents? Are they comfortable using advanced features like automated backups or file syncing across multiple devices?

Managing Professional Accounts

The final essential skill in this category is the ability to set up and manage a professional online account, such as LinkedIn. Social media has become a cornerstone of digital communication in the modern world, and understanding how to navigate and utilise these platforms is essential for both staff and students.

For students, learning to manage a professional online presence is a vital skill for future success. Social media can be a powerful tool for networking, job hunting and showcasing accomplishments, but it’s equally important for students to understand the distinction between personal and professional use.

As we’ve seen, effective communication in the digital age involves more than just basic messaging – it’s about mastering tools that enhance collaboration, safeguard information and maintain a professional online presence. In the next instalment of this series, we’ll focus on the next essential tasks in the FutureDotNow roadmap: completing digital transactions.