Grade 7 ICT: Online Communication Tools

Online Communication Tools

• Instant Messaging (IM): a form of real-time communication between two or more people, allowing messages to contain text, video, audio, images, and files.
• Short Message Services (SMS): a communication service that allows only text messages.
• Multimedia Message Service (MMS): messages that include multimedia content.
• Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP): making phone and video calls using the Internet.

Web Browsing Concept

• The Internet is a worldwide web of interconnected computers and devices.
• Main uses of the Internet:
  • Searching
  • E-commerce (buying and selling)
  • Downloading
  • Sending and receiving instant messages
  • E-learning (studying)
  • Communication by using email
• Web browser: software used to access the Internet.
• Examples of web browsers: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge.

URL and Web Address

• URL (Uniform Resource Locator): a web address of a website.
• Parts of a URL:
  • Hypertext Transfer Protocol (https)
  • Domain Name (www.wikipedia.org)
  • Domain Type (org)

Main Terms in Web Browsing

• Hyperlink: a method of moving from one webpage to another.
• Home page: the first page to load every time a web browser is opened.
• Pop-Ups: small web browser windows that suddenly appear, created by advertisers or spyware applications.

Google Chrome

• Google Chrome: a web browser used to access the Internet and one of the most used search engines in the world.
• Google Chrome Toolbar: the main command in Google Chrome browser.

Search Engine

• Search engine: a web-based tool that enables users to find information on the Internet.
• Examples of search engines: Google, Bing, Yahoo.

File Types and Extensions

• Each file has a name and an extension, such as:
  • Word documents (.docx)
  • PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx)
  • Excel (.xlsx)
  • Image files (.jpg, .gif)
  • Audio files (.mp3, .wav)
  • Video files (.avi)
  • eBook (.pdf)

Email

• Electronic Email: a method of sending text and graphics from one computer to another through the Internet.
• Email concept: Electronic Mail, sending text and graphics from one computer to another.
• All email users have their own unique address.

Main Features of Email

• Non-urgent communication: does not require an immediate response.
• Filtering: filters messages to prevent unwanted email from reaching you.
• One-to-many communication.
• Sending documents and pictures.
• Mobility: enables users to access data across different devices.

Structure of Email Address

• Username: the unique name of the email user.
• Lower-level domain: the domain name of the email provider (e.g. gmail).
• Top-level domain: the domain type (e.g. com).

Email Folders

• Inbox: stores newly received email messages.
• Sent Items: stores a copy of each message that is sent.
• Deleted Items: stores messages that you delete.
• Drafts: saves messages that you want to finish composing or send later.
• Junk E-mail: stores newly received messages that have been identified as junk email.

Email Attachments

• A file that can be added to an email and sent to others.
• Types of files that can be attached to an email: images, word documents, PowerPoint, excel.

Learn about online communication tools, including instant messaging and short message services, used to connect with others around the world.