Learning Guide Unit 3

Site: University of the People Printed by: Md Motalib Hossain

Course: ENGL 1102-01 English Composition 2 - AY2025-T4 Date: Saturday, 26 April 2025, 11:42 PM
Book: Learning Guide Unit 3
 Description

Learning Guide Unit 3

 Table of contents

Overview
Introduction
Reading Assignment
Overview of communication technology
Tools, Resources and platforms for effective writing
Impact of technology on written communication
Plagiarism in Writing
Discussion Forum
Assignment Activity
Self-Quiz
Graded Quiz
Checklist
 Overview

Unit 3: Utilizing Communication Technologies

Topics:
Overview of communication technologies
Tools, Resources and platforms for effective writing
Impact of technology on written communication
Plagiarism in Writing

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this Unit, you will be able to:

1. Identify digital tools and strategies to enhance writing.

2. Give feedback on the use of communication technologies to peers.
3. Compare and contrast digital resources used to enhance productivity in writing tasks.

Tasks:

Read through the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment.

Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum.
Respond to two of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum.
Make entries to the Assignment Activity.
Take and submit the Self-Quiz.
Take and submit the Graded-Quiz.
Check out the Student Toolbox (on the right-hand side menu) for quick access to essential resources that will
support your learning journey.
 Introduction

How is technology changing the art of writing?

 0:00 / 4:50  

The video talks about how technology is changing the way people write. [The Aspen Institute. (2014, July 3). How is technology changing
the art of writing? [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/3NVgcMwnugo]

In this unit, we explore the dynamic field of communication technologies and their impact on written communication. The unit is divided
into four main topics: an overview of communication technologies, tools, digital resources and platforms for effective writing,
plagiarism, and the impact of technology on written communication.

The first topic introduces you to communication technologies, highlighting their role in connecting individuals and facilitating effective
communication. We will explore the various types of technologies available and their applications in both personal and professional
contexts.

Moving forward, we will delve into tools designed for specific communication purposes. This includes exploring tools such as email,
instant messaging, video conferencing, and social media platforms. We will examine their features, advantages, and best practices for
using them to share information and thoughts efficiently. We will also focus on digital resources and platforms that enhance writing
skills. This topic will cover tools and platforms for creating, editing, and collaborating on written content. We will also discuss strategies
for utilizing these resources effectively to improve writing productivity and quality.

Finally, we will examine the impact of technology on written communication. We will explore how communication technologies have
shaped the way we communicate and the implications for traditional forms of written communication. We will discuss the advantages
and challenges of digital communication and consider the importance of adapting to technological advancements. We will also explore
the concept of plagiarism and how to avoid plagiarism in writing.

The unit will give you a comprehensive understanding of communication technologies and their application in written communication
through the reading resources, activities, and assessments. This knowledge will equip you with the necessary skills to navigate and
utilize communication technologies in various personal and professional writing contexts.
 Reading Assignment

Please follow these instructions for the reading assignments.

1. Read the provided resources carefully to gain a thorough understanding of the topic.
2. Watch the relevant videos to supplement your learning and gain additional insights.
3. Engage with the H5p activity to apply and reinforce your understanding of the concepts discussed (Wherever applicable).

While reading the learning resource and watching the videos, ask yourself the following questions:

What are the tools available and what strategies can be used to make efficient use of them?
How can communication or digital tools help in student writing?
What are the impacts of digital resources on written communication?
 Overview of communication technology

Read:

1. Baldwin, A., August, L., Bennett, J., Mathues, S., Monroe, S., O’Leary, MJ., Pearson, A., Troesh, J., & Watts, M. (2023). Chapter:
8.3 Communication and technology. In College Success. Licensed under CC 4.0

This reading summarizes the various aspects of communication and technology.

Watch:

1. Eye on Tech. (2020, March 9). What is ICT (information and communications technology)? [Video]. YouTube.
 Tools, Resources and platforms for effective writing

Read:

1. Cambridge. (n.d.). Write & improve.

This free resource is an online toolkit to improve your English Writing online. It offers three different level of practice
sessions for learners of all age groups.

2. Kaushihk, N. (2023, January 2). 15 Best plagiarism checking tools to prevent copying in 2023. Geekflare.

This article provides you with a list of tools that can be used to avoid plagiarism while writing articles or assignments.

3. Morris, C. (2023, May 4). 16 Best AI chatbots in 2023 (reviewed and compared). elegant themes.

This reading provides a list of commonly used chatbots like ChatGPT, Bard and so on.

4. Nolita. (2023, April 18). Guide: How to use ChatGPT to improve your writing. ExpressVPN.

This article provides you with a clear overview on how to use ChatGPT and other Chatbots to improve the quality of your
writing.

5. Photory. (n.d.). 15 Best websites and apps for writers to post: 2021 update.

This article lists around 15 creative writing platforms for writers to exchange their ideas and showcase their writing skills.

6. York, A. (2023, May 4). The 10 best writing tools for every writer's needs in 2023. Clickup.

The blog post suggests few tools that can help deliver content that are free of errors.
 Impact of technology on written communication

Read:

1. Arnold, V. (2023, April 28). Improve your writing with ChatGPT - tips and benefits. neuroflash.

This article provides you with few tips and benefits of chatGPT and other AI tools.

2. McCou, J. (2023, May 8). The impact of AI on creatives: How does AI write content? Content at scale.

This article examines AI's impact on written communication in the past two years as writers increasingly turn to AI
bots like ChatGPT and BARD for their daily writing needs.

3. Scudder, K. (2023, February). Surviving in the age of AI writing. Public Relations Society of America Inc.

Ken helps us understand the impact of AI in writing and how we can use AI for our benefit.

Note that with all the benefits of using AI to enhance writing, they are still a tool and not a substitute for good writing practices.
Always review and revise your writing.
 Plagiarism in Writing

Read:

1. Shier, M. (2020). 9.2. Plagiarism. In Student success. BCcampus.

Please read Unit 9.2 on Plagiarism. This unit provides a summary of how to identify and prevent plagiarism, as well as
guidelines for the appropriate use of information.

Optional Reading:

1. University of the People. (n.d.). Avoiding plagiarism. Learning Resource center.

This tutorial from the University of the people summarizes how to identify and prevent plagiarism in detail.
 Discussion Forum

In this assignment, you will acquire the skills and knowledge to leverage technology, digital tools, and strategies to enhance writing.

As a student with multiple writing assignments and deadlines, how can you utilize technology to write effectively in a timely
manner? Discuss specific strategies, tools, or platforms that can be used to write in a focused and organized manner. Draw
from your own experiences or suggest hypothetical solutions to showcase your creativity and problem-solving skills.
Additionally, refer to research and the reading materials of this course to support your arguments.

Your Discussion should be a minimum of 200 words in length and not more than 300 words. Please include a word count. Following the
APA standard, use references and in-text citations for the textbook and any other sources.

You instructor will grade you based on the Discussion Forum Unit 3 Rubric.

NOTE: Your instructor will be assessing your posts/responses for this discussion.
 Assignment Activity

In the digital age, numerous tools are available to boost productivity and efficiency in writing tasks. To demonstrate your knowledge and
skills in utilizing these resources for writing, complete the following assignment:

1. Choose three different digital tools that you believe have the potential to enhance productivity in writing. These tools
could include grammar checking software, online writing platforms, word processors with advanced features, or any
other relevant digital resources.
2. Provide a detailed description of each chosen writing tool, highlighting its specific features and functionalities that aid the
writing process. How does it improve grammar and spelling accuracy, provide helpful writing suggestions, or assist with
organizing and structuring written work?
3. Present a practical writing scenario for each digital tool, explaining how it can be effectively used to enhance productivity and
improve the quality of writing. Describe how the tool would be utilized in each scenario, emphasizing the benefits and
advantages it would bring to the writing process.
4. Compare and contrast the three digital tools, analyzing their strengths, limitations, and suitability for different types of writing
tasks or genres.

Submit your comprehensive analysis for instructor evaluation.

Assignment submission:

Minimum of 500 words and not more than 750 words.

Use APA citations and have a reference list if you use ideas from the readings or other sources.
Click here for the APA Style - Common Reference Examples Guide

This assignment will be assessed by your instructor using the rubric available on the assignment page located on the
course homepage.
 Self-Quiz

The Self-Quiz gives you an opportunity to self-assess your knowledge of what you have learned so far.

The results of the Self-Quiz do not count towards your final grade. However, the quiz is an important part of the University’s learning
process and it is expected that you will take it to ensure understanding of the materials presented. Reviewing and analyzing your results
will help you perform better on future Graded Quizzes and the Final Exam.

Please access the Self-Quiz on the main course homepage; it is listed inside the Unit.
 Graded Quiz

The Graded Quiz will test your knowledge of all the materials learned thus far. The results of the quiz will count towards your final
grade.

Please access the Graded Quiz on the main course homepage; it will be listed inside the Unit. After you click on it, the quiz’s introduction
will inform you of any time or attempt limits in place.

Good luck!
 Checklist

Read through the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment.

Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum.
Respond to two of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum.
Make entries to the Assignment Activity.
Take and submit the Self-Quiz.
Take and submit the Graded-Quiz.
Check out the Student Toolbox (on the right-hand side menu) for quick access to essential resources that will
support your learning journey.