Email is the sending and receiving of messages electronically. No envelopes or postage stamps are required and, best of all, you can send the same message to many people at once. There are free email options but most organisations use a paid Internet Service Provider (ISP) as a post office service.
Many people use Microsoft Office Outlook for email software, mainly because it comes with the hardware. Choice of ISP depends on the services offered in you local area.
Features
You can send and receive messages, usually in text but also in voice. They are sent from one person to another via computer. You can send email to a group of people at once, store contact information and organize mail into folders.
Cost
Varies from free services like Yahoo! and Thunderbird through to proprietary software, like Microsoft Outlook. You need to pay an ISP to access the Internet so you can send and receive email.
What it's used for
To receive and send email and also to store contact details.
When facilitating online groups use the ‘subscribe’ function in discussion boards (if it’s available) which then pushes (automatically forwards) the postings to your email box. Create ‘rules’ so that the mail from each group is stored in a specific folder. With some learning management systems you can also respond to postings from your email box. Once the activity is finished, either delete or archive the messages.
Why it's good
It works, it’s familiar and very popular and has automatic updates.
Problems/downside
Setting up address lists and inputting/extracting information can be more complex with Outlook than other email programs. It’s more prone to virus and other attacks because it is Microsoft software (part of the Office suite of programs).
Examples to check out (places to play are marked with an *)
Alternatives
Thunderbird is open source and comes highly recommended. There are tons of free email services. Check out the free email address directory for more details. If you are worried about viruses and worms then web-based email services enable you to access your email via your web browser. You log into your email account via the Web to send and retrieve email. Depending on your bandwidth this can be a slow (but safe) process.
Criteria/factors re tools and processes - Outlook
| Criteria | Comment | |
|---|---|---|
User friendly |
Yes | Especially if you are used to using Windows |
Push or pull in kind |
Pull | You need to log on and open it regularly to get the most from it. |
Low or high interaction with participants/facilitators |
High | One of the best ways to keep in touch with learners … if they also log on and use regularly. Otherwise you may be better off with SMS or phone. |
Synchronous or asynchronous activity, |
Mainly Asynchronous | Can be used synchronously (like an Instant Message) if happen to be online at the same time. |
Facilitator skills of a low or high
level |
Both | Low skills needed to use the basics but calls for more high level knowledge to use features like filtering, group emails etc. |
Participant skills of a low or high
level |
Low | Only need to be able to read emails. Mmmm, only other issue is dealing with all the spam and learning to avoid viruses, worms etc. |