STIC - Engineering:
Workplace
(Module 3)
Workplace
 Correspondence
-
Email Messages and Computers
(Topic 3)
Content
Basic knowledge of computer terms would be an asset, but the facilitator
should also rely on the knowledge and expertise of the participants.
Layout and form of an email message could also be reviewed. Facilitator
could also provide other sample email messages as models.
Delivery
Make as many copies as necessary of the following handouts  :
- Handout 1 Classification of Computer Terminology
- Handout 2 Email Message
- Handout 3 Synonyms
- Handout 4 Blank Email
- There is no Terminology List for this lesson. See Handout 1.
Materials needed: chart paper and markers Methodology
Introduction
(10 minutes)
1. Group the participants according to discipline. Have
them discuss how computers have changed the engineering profession. What
kinds of skills does an engineer need to have? What is the software that
is used most by engineers? (Word, Excel, Power Point, CAD).
2. Explain that today's lesson focuses on the use of the computer in
the engineering workplace.
Pre-Tasks
1. (20 minutes)
Explain that computer technology changes constantly, but
that there are certain basic computer concepts that are necessary for
almost everyone to know. Distribute Handout 1 and have the participants
work in pairs and categorize computer terms under different headings.
Have them compare their answers with another pair. Clarify any definitions.
2. (15 minutes)
Group participants according to engineering
discipline and have them discuss design packages specific to their
field. (Make sure that the discussion covers customized company software.)
Have the groups present their information to the class on chart paper.
3. (10 minutes)
Explain to the participants that since
computers have had such an impact on both their profession and the
workplace, certain problems can arise. Explain that participants will
have an opportunity to read about a problem caused by computers in the
workplace. The problem is in the form of an inter-office email message.
Elicit from the class the features of an email (subject line; optional
salutation; less formal). Ask the class the following questions:
- To whom are inter-office emails sent?
- Do emails have a salutation or complimentary closing? (salutation
is optional but "dear" is not used; options might include "Hi _________" or
just the recipient's name: "Jane, " Re complimentary closing: "sincerely" and "yours
truly "are not used; signature files including any or all of the employee's
name, title, organization, phone number, email address and Web site
URL are often used
- How many topics does an email deal with?
- What goes in the subject line
- What is the average length of an email?
- Where should you place the most important information?
- Should you consider what the reader already knows about
the subject?
- How formal does an email have to be? Are spelling mistakes
acceptable? (No - stress that all emails should be spell-checked and
read over for errors); is lower case "I" acceptable when referring to
oneself in an email? (no); is "u" an acceptable substitute for "you" (not
in a workplace email)
Brainstorm on the blackboard, examples of subjects that could be the
subject of an inter-office email (e.g., staff relationships, clarifying
procedures at work, follow-up to a problem).
4. (10 minutes)
Distribute an email (Handout 2) from
an engineering workplace. Explain that it is an authentic workplace
document. Have participants scan the memo and complete the questions.
Take up orally. Review some of the questions from pre-task 3 as they
apply to this email.
5. (10 minutes)
Distribute Handout
3. Divide participants into pairs and have them find synonyms in the
text and take up orally.
6. (15 minutes)
Brainstorm
with the class possible difficulties that could take place with computers
in the workplace. Expect answers such as managing technical problems,
office procedures, lack of user knowledge, training.
Task
(20 minutes)
1. Group the participants according to
discipline. Have them choose a problem or difficulty that could arise
with computers and their use in the workplace. The group should compose
an email about this problem using Handout 2 as a model. Distribute
Handout 4 for the group to use. Post-Task
(25 minutes)
1. Have the groups exchange emails and
read each other's workplace computer problems. Groups should get together
and suggest solutions.
2. Choose one group's email and either copy it or make an overhead and
discuss, using the question in pre-task 3 as a guide.  Downloads
All downloads are in Adobe Acrobat
PDF.
Download a print version of the above lesson plan and related
materials.
Workplace:
Topic 3 [150 KB, 13 pages]
Download the complete Facilitator's Guide and Participant's Workbook.
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