How do you adjust your communication style to fit online platforms?

1 Choose the right platform

Different online platforms have different advantages and disadvantages for communication. For example, email is good for formal and detailed messages, but it can also be slow and impersonal. Video conferencing is good for synchronous and visual communication, but it can also be affected by technical issues and bandwidth limitations. Chat is good for quick and informal communication, but it can also be ambiguous and distracting. Social media is good for sharing and engaging with content, but it can also be overwhelming and unprofessional. Therefore, you should choose the platform that best suits your purpose, audience, and context, and use a mix of platforms to balance your communication needs.

3 Add some personality and emotion

While online communication requires clarity and conciseness, it does not mean that you have to be boring and bland. You can still add some personality and emotion to your messages by using words that reflect your tone and mood, such as positive adjectives, exclamations, and emojis. You can also use humor, anecdotes, and compliments to make your messages more engaging and friendly. However, you should also be careful not to overdo it or use inappropriate or insensitive humor or emojis that might offend or confuse your mentees.

4 Provide timely and constructive feedback

Feedback is a crucial part of teacher mentoring, as it helps your mentees improve their skills, confidence, and performance. However, online feedback can be challenging, as it can be delayed, misunderstood, or ignored. Therefore, you should provide timely and constructive feedback that is specific, actionable, and supportive. You should also use a balance of praise and criticism, and focus on the strengths and areas of improvement of your mentees, rather than their personality or character. Moreover, you should use a variety of feedback methods, such as written comments, audio recordings, video clips, or rubrics, to suit your mentees' preferences and learning styles.

5 Encourage interaction and collaboration

Online communication can sometimes feel isolating and impersonal, especially if you only communicate with your mentees individually or sporadically. Therefore, you should encourage interaction and collaboration among your mentees and yourself, to create a sense of community and belonging. You can do this by creating online spaces where your mentees can share their ideas, experiences, and questions, such as forums, blogs, or wikis. You can also facilitate online activities that require your mentees to work together, such as group projects, peer reviews, or discussions. Furthermore, you should participate actively and regularly in these online spaces and activities, to show your interest, support, and guidance.

6 Adapt and improve your communication style

Online communication is not a one-size-fits-all approach, as different mentees may have different needs, expectations, and preferences. Therefore, you should adapt and improve your communication style according to the feedback and responses of your mentees, as well as your own reflection and evaluation. You can do this by asking your mentees for their opinions and suggestions on how to communicate better online, and by listening and responding to their concerns and questions. You can also monitor and measure the effectiveness and impact of your online communication, by using tools such as surveys, analytics, or portfolios. Lastly, you should keep learning and updating your online communication skills, by seeking professional development opportunities, resources, and best practices.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?