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Professional Skills: Digital Communication

Professional Skills: Digital Communication

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructor: Tyler Galarneau

Included with

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

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.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is available as part of

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be asked to select a specific program.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

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.

Module details

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 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Quiz: Using the communication process10 minutes

7 pluginsTotal 44 minutes

Using the communication process: Causes and resources3 minutes
Using the communication process: Using this process to communicate5 minutes
Practice the solution: Using the communication process10 minutes
Job aid: Communication process3 minutes
Reflect on the solution: Using the communication process10 minutes
Communicate deliberately and ask clarifying questions: Key takeaways3 minutes
Apply the solution: Asking clarifying questions10 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 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Quiz: Showing emotion in digital ways10 minutes

7 pluginsTotal 45 minutes

Showing emotion in digital ways: Causes and resources3 minutes
Showing emotion in digital ways: Preparing a message with emotion6 minutes
Practice the solution: Showing emotion in digital ways10 minutes
Job aid: Video conferencing tips3 minutes
Reflect on the solution: Showing emotion in digital ways10 minutes
Digital communication requires specialized approaches: Key takeaways3 minutes
Apply the solution: Effectively communicate emotion in a task request message10 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 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Quiz: Choosing an appropriate medium10 minutes

7 pluginsTotal 47 minutes

Choosing an appropriate medium: Causes and resources3 minutes
Choosing an appropriate medium: Informing your choice of medium8 minutes
Practice the solution: Choosing an appropriate medium10 minutes
Job aid: Know your audience3 minutes
Reflect on the Solution: Choosing an appropriate medium10 minutes
Effective communication requires knowing your purpose: Key takeaways3 minutes
Apply the solution: Pros and cons of digital communication media10 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 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Quiz: Responding to digital miscommunication10 minutes

7 pluginsTotal 43 minutes

Responding to digital confusions: Causes and resources3 minutes
Responding to digital confusions: Reacting to emotions and errors4 minutes
Practice the solution: Responding to digital confusions10 minutes
Job aid: How to respond to an emotional email in a professional way3 minutes
Reflect on the solution: Responding to digital confusions10 minutes
Prepare for inevitable miscommunications: Key takeaways3 minutes
Apply the solution: Responding to an emotionally charged email10 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.