Written by Courtland Bovee and John Thill
As digital media and artificial intelligence continue to transform business communication, instructors face the crucial task of preparing students for this rapidly evolving landscape. Students must learn not only to master traditional digital channels but also to effectively collaborate with AI tools that can help them write more efficiently, manage information more effectively, and communicate more clearly.
Today's business communication instruction needs to cover everything from email fundamentals to the strategic use of AI-powered writing assistants, while helping students understand when to leverage technology and when to rely on human skills. This article presents a comprehensive approach to teaching digital media in business communication courses, focusing on essential skills, practical applications, and professional development in an AI-enhanced world. This article is a reflection of the contents of our new, 16th Edition of Business Communication Today by Bovee and Thill (Pearson).
Understanding the Digital Foundation
The first lesson students need to learn about digital media might seem counterintuitive: despite the dominance of digital channels in modern business, not every message belongs in digital form. While most business communication now occurs through digital channels, students should understand when traditional printed communication might be more appropriate – such as for formal documents, legal requirements, or when a permanent, unchangeable record is needed. This foundational understanding helps students develop the critical thinking skills needed to choose the right channel for each situation.
Teaching the Art of Digital Composition
Digital media requires mastery of multiple compositional modes, each serving different purposes in business communication. Students need to become proficient in conversational writing for real-time exchanges, crafting constructive comments and critiques, creating orientations that help others navigate complex information, and writing effective summaries that enable quick understanding. They should also learn to develop reference materials, craft compelling narratives, write engaging teasers, compose clear status updates, and create helpful tutorials and FAQs.
Mastering Key Digital Channels
Email remains a cornerstone of business communication, despite the proliferation of newer channels. Students need to master professional email writing conventions, learn to craft compelling subject lines, and understand how to manage email efficiently. They should also learn to leverage AI tools for email management while maintaining appropriate tone and formality.
Workgroup messaging platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams require different skills. Students should learn channel organization, professional messaging etiquette, and appropriate use of informal elements like emojis.
Understanding how to balance casual and professional tones in these platforms is crucial for workplace success.
Website content creation demands yet another skill set. Students need to grasp information architecture principles, learn to write for scanability, and understand global audience considerations. They should also become familiar with basic search engine optimization and accessibility requirements.
Wiki development teaches valuable collaborative writing skills. Students should learn how to contribute effectively to shared knowledge bases, manage version control, and maintain quality in collaborative environments.
Podcasting represents an increasingly important channel for business communication. Students need to understand the basics of planning, scripting, and producing audio content, as well as strategies for engaging audiences effectively.
Developing Essential Professional Skills
Digital etiquette forms a crucial part of professional communication skills. Students must learn to navigate appropriate levels of formality, show cultural sensitivity, and maintain professional boundaries across different digital channels. They need to understand when and how to use elements like emojis, and develop appropriate expectations for response times in different contexts.
The integration of AI tools into business communication presents both opportunities and challenges. Students should learn to use AI effectively while maintaining authentic human connections. This includes understanding how to write effective prompts, evaluate AI outputs, and consider ethical implications of AI use.
Time management in the digital realm requires special attention. Students need strategies for managing multiple channels, organizing information effectively, and protecting their focus in an always-connected environment.
Practical Implementation in the Classroom
Theory must be balanced with extensive practical application. Classroom activities should include channel selection exercises, email writing workshops, messaging simulations, and collaborative projects. Students should practice creating website content, contributing to wikis, and developing podcasts.
Assessment should focus on real-world applications. This might include creating channel-specific rubrics, conducting peer reviews, and developing professional portfolios. Team projects help students develop collaborative skills while building their digital communication capabilities.
Building for Long-term Success
The first week of instruction should establish clear expectations for digital communication and introduce core concepts and terminology. However, skill development should continue throughout the course, with progressively more challenging assignments and regular opportunities for practice and feedback.
Success in teaching digital media can be measured through students' ability to select appropriate channels, create effective messages, maintain professional tone, demonstrate technical proficiency, collaborate effectively, and build impressive portfolios.
Key Takeaways
Teaching digital media in business communication requires a comprehensive approach that combines technical skills with professional judgment. By helping students master various digital channels while developing their professional communication abilities, instructors can prepare them for success in today's digital business environment. The key lies in providing ample opportunities for practical application while maintaining high standards for professional communication across all digital channels.
Remember that the digital landscape continues to evolve, so instructors should stay current with new technologies and trends while helping students develop the adaptability they'll need for long-term success in business communication.
Learning Activities for Teaching Digital Media in Business Communication
Email Skills Development
Basic Email Exercises
Have students practice writing professional emails to instructors as a real-world application
Ask students to analyze and improve poor subject lines
Practice revising informal emails into professional business communications
Create standard response templates for common business situations
Complex Email Scenarios
Write responses to billing disputes or service interruptions
Compose messages explaining technical features to customers
Practice team-based email communication for project coordination
Write sensitive messages about personnel or policy changes
Create formal business proposals via email
Email Analysis Activities
Review and critique sample email messages for tone, clarity, and effectiveness
Identify and correct common email etiquette mistakes
Analyze email threads for communication breakdowns
Practice using AI tools to improve email efficiency
Messaging Skills Development
Basic Messaging Exercises
Practice adapting tone and formality for different business messaging situations
Create professional responses for customer service scenarios
Write clear, concise status updates for team projects
Develop guidelines for emoji use in business contexts
Advanced Messaging Activities
Roleplay customer support interactions via messaging
Practice managing team conflicts through messaging platforms
Create messaging protocols for project teams
Write messaging templates for common business situations
Website Content Development
Analysis Activities
Reverse engineer website information architecture
Evaluate website navigation and user experience
Analyze content organization and presentation
Review websites for accessibility compliance
Content Creation Exercises
Write website content summaries and orientations
Create FAQ sections for products or services
Develop user guides and tutorials
Write content for different target audiences
Collaborative Projects
Team-Based Activities
Develop communication protocols for virtual teams
Create wiki content collaboratively
Plan and execute group presentations
Write team reports and proposals
Problem-Solving Scenarios
Address communication breakdowns in virtual teams
Resolve conflicts in digital environments
Manage project communications across multiple channels
Handle sensitive communications professionally
Real-World Applications
Case Studies
Analyze real business communication situations
Evaluate communication strategies in actual companies
Review successful and unsuccessful digital media campaigns
Study crisis communication responses
Simulation Exercises
Roleplay customer service scenarios
Practice team communication in virtual environments
Simulate project management communications
Handle crisis communication situations
Assessment Activities
Individual Evaluation
Create professional email portfolios
Develop messaging style guides
Write website content proposals
Create customer communication templates
Team Evaluation
Assess group project communications
Review team collaboration effectiveness
Evaluate virtual team performance
Analyze team conflict resolution
AI Integration Exercises
Tool Familiarization
Practice writing effective AI prompts
Learn to evaluate AI-generated content
Experiment with AI writing assistance
Develop AI collaboration strategies
Practical Applications
Use AI to improve email efficiency
Apply AI tools to content creation
Practice AI-assisted editing
Develop AI-enhanced communication workflows
Implementation Guidelines
For Instructors
1. Start with basic communication principles before introducing digital tools
2. Provide regular opportunities for practice and feedback
3. Use real-world examples whenever possible
4. Incorporate AI tools thoughtfully and purposefully
5. Balance individual and team activities
For Students
1. Maintain logs of communication activities
2. Document successful strategies
3. Build a portfolio of professional communications
4. Develop personal style guides
5. Practice regular self-assessment
These activities should be integrated progressively throughout the course, building from basic skills to more complex applications. Regular feedback and assessment help ensure skill development and retention.Instructors should adapt these activities based on:
Course level and duration
Student experience and skill levels
Available technology resources
Industry-specific needs
Current business communication trends
The key to successful implementation is providing regular opportunities for practice while maintaining high professional standards across all activities.
Note: The guidance provided in this article is based upon the content in the new, 16th Edition of Business Communication Today, by Bovee and Thill (Pearson).
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