2. Free software communication tools for effective communication
Training provided by
- Open Minds
- TRANSIT
Category(ies) of solution(s) studied
- External communication (website, social networks, newsletter)
Presentation
In this module you will learn how to improve communication and collaboration using open source tools. This course will introduce you to the world of open source software, exploring various platforms. You will learn how to apply these tools to improve efficiency, security and collaboration in work teams, adapting to a constantly evolving digital environment.
Training objectives
Specific objectives:
- To understand the principles and benefits of open source software: To explain the philosophy of open source software and its relevance in work environments, highlighting its advantages in terms of transparency, collaboration and access.
- To become familiar with open source communication tools: To introduce participants to various open source tools used for communication and collaboration in professional environments.
- Apply practical skills in work environments: To enable participants to effectively use these tools in real work contexts, improving communication, collaboration and productivity.
- Focus on digital communication and collaboration skills in virtual environments.
- To develop competences adapted to online communication and distance work.
- To understand the principles and benefits of open source software: To explain the philosophy of open source software and its relevance in work environments, highlighting its advantages in terms of transparency, collaboration and access.
- To become familiar with open source communication tools: To introduce participants to various open source tools used for communication and collaboration in professional environments.
- Apply practical skills in work environments: To enable participants to effectively use these tools in real work contexts, improving communication, collaboration and productivity.
- Focus on digital communication and collaboration skills in virtual environments.
- To develop competences adapted to online communication and distance work.
Reason for module
The aim of this training module is to familiarise participants with open source communication tools for websites, newsletters, e-mail, messaging, video conferencing, project management and social networking.
Target audience
Professionals from various sectors, students, educators, NGO workers, technology staff and team leaders interested in optimising their communication and collaboration in professional environments using open source tools.
Summary of module content
By the end of the training, participants should understand the tools available and how to use them effectively to improve communication and engagement with their audience.
Number of sequences
11
Type of training face to face, online
- En ligneOn lineOn lineEn líneaOn line
- En présentielFace-to-faceCara a caraPresencialfață în față
Is training free or chargeable?
GratuiteFreeGratisGratuïtGratuit
Possible formats (face-to-face, online)
Online training (eleven modules)
3 days of face-to-face training
Webinar from the online training
Combination face-to-face - webinar
3 days of face-to-face training
Webinar from the online training
Combination face-to-face - webinar
Learning outcomes - Key skills
Learning outcomes:
At the end of the module on open source communication tools, participants will have acquired a range of key knowledge and skills that will enable them to improve their effectiveness in communicating and collaborating in work environments.
- Understand the principles, values and benefits of open source software in the workplace.
- Practical knowledge in the use of different open source communication tools such as email, messaging, video conferencing and social networking.
- Ability to apply these tools in professional environments to improve collaboration, communication and efficiency.
- Ability to adapt to new technologies and communication tools, developing a flexible mindset for the adoption of innovative solutions.
- Organisation and effective management of e-mail using open source tools.
- Ability to use secure instant messaging tools and understand the importance of encryption and privacy in digital communication.
- Ability to organise and manage effective virtual meetings, using open source video conferencing tools.
- Ability to collaborate on projects using open source project management platforms and assign tasks effectively.
- Ability to plan social media content strategies and manage publications using open source tools.
- Development of analytical skills to solve communication and collaboration problems in work environments.
At the end of the module on open source communication tools, participants will have acquired a range of key knowledge and skills that will enable them to improve their effectiveness in communicating and collaborating in work environments.
- Understand the principles, values and benefits of open source software in the workplace.
- Practical knowledge in the use of different open source communication tools such as email, messaging, video conferencing and social networking.
- Ability to apply these tools in professional environments to improve collaboration, communication and efficiency.
- Ability to adapt to new technologies and communication tools, developing a flexible mindset for the adoption of innovative solutions.
- Organisation and effective management of e-mail using open source tools.
- Ability to use secure instant messaging tools and understand the importance of encryption and privacy in digital communication.
- Ability to organise and manage effective virtual meetings, using open source video conferencing tools.
- Ability to collaborate on projects using open source project management platforms and assign tasks effectively.
- Ability to plan social media content strategies and manage publications using open source tools.
- Development of analytical skills to solve communication and collaboration problems in work environments.
Prerequisites - Requirements
No prior knowledge is required.
Participant selection procedures and criteria
This training is intended for and open to anyone wishing to learn about digital communication and, more specifically, to educational staff and training agents of socio-cultural and associative structures, their beneficiaries, members, volunteers and partners who wish to acquire skills to create and manage a website, communicate on social networks or work in their workplace and acquire knowledge and skills to make them evolve.
Teaching aids
Didactic material
- Presentations or slides about each tool.
- Detailed guides or manuals on the configuration and use of the tools.
- Examples and use cases.
- Practical exercises and simulated projects.
- Access to free software communication tools for practical exercises.
- Presentations or slides about each tool.
- Detailed guides or manuals on the configuration and use of the tools.
- Examples and use cases.
- Practical exercises and simulated projects.
- Access to free software communication tools for practical exercises.
Learner support, follow-up and assessment
European educational and collaborative e-learning platform, open digital resources and solutions
Cooperation tools (discussion list, live chat, website) E-mail support
Live chat via messengers
Self-assessment: final oral evaluation / feedback interview + Questionnaire - Quiz
Cooperation tools (discussion list, live chat, website) E-mail support
Live chat via messengers
Self-assessment: final oral evaluation / feedback interview + Questionnaire - Quiz
Teaching method
Focused on practice, collaboration and exchange to facilitate the acquisition and application of new competences.
- Action-training: real-life situations leading to the acquisition of competences that are directly exploited.
- Alternation of theoretical, participative and practical sequences.
- Exchange of knowledge and practices between participants
- Group dynamics: active listening and collective intelligence.
- Action-training: real-life situations leading to the acquisition of competences that are directly exploited.
- Alternation of theoretical, participative and practical sequences.
- Exchange of knowledge and practices between participants
- Group dynamics: active listening and collective intelligence.
Type of training
Online webinar-style distance learning using MOOC-like approaches
- Open to all free of charge
- Form: texts, videos, online documents, exercises, self-assessment
- Exchange tools: videoconferencing, emails, discussion lists, messaging, forum, wiki, blog,
Face-to-face training
- Courses, workshops, presentations, conferences
- Student groupings, working meetings and workshops
- Open to all free of charge
- Form: texts, videos, online documents, exercises, self-assessment
- Exchange tools: videoconferencing, emails, discussion lists, messaging, forum, wiki, blog,
Face-to-face training
- Courses, workshops, presentations, conferences
- Student groupings, working meetings and workshops
Training schedule - Sequencing - day by day
3 days in person + introduction, realisation and online exercises
Day 1
I. Welcome and brief overview of the training module.
Explanation of the importance of effective communication tools for websites, social media, newsletters and others.
II. Overview of FOSS communication tools
Introduction to the philosophy of FOSS, how it differs from proprietary software and its advantages. Addresses the importance of effective communication in professional environments and how FOSS tools can improve it.
III. Electronic mail
Introduces basic concepts and discusses open source email accounts and teaches how to configure, organise and effectively use email for professional communication, with an emphasis on security and information management.
- Guided practice: Setting up email clients. Hands-on guidance for participants to create aliases and filters in their email account to automatically organise and prioritise messages. They will then share their experiences and improvements to their mail management.
- Practical exercise: Inbox organisation. Participants will be asked to organise their inboxes, create filters and set up automatic replies with Thunderbird or Evolution.
- Q&A session and troubleshooting of common problems
Tools: Thunderbird, Evolution.
Day 2
IV. Instant messaging platforms
Introduction to messaging security. Secure and open source messaging tools such as Telegram, Signal or Element are explored. Emphasis is placed on the importance of encryption and privacy in communication and the appropriate use of these tools in work environments.
- Guided practice: Use and configuration of secure platforms such as Signal or Element. Sending encrypted messages and understanding the security options available.
- Practical exercise: Exchange of encrypted messages. Exercise in which participants send encrypted messages to each other using a secure messaging tool. They then try to decrypt messages from other groups to highlight the importance of encryption.
- Q&A session and troubleshooting common problems
Tools: Telegram, Signal, Element (Matrix).
V. Videoconferencing and virtual meetings
Introduction to open source videoconferencing tools, teaching how to organise effective virtual meetings, manage participants and share content collaboratively.
- Practical exercise Role play. Divide participants into groups and assign roles for a simulated meeting using a videoconferencing tool such as Jitsi Meet. Each group has a specific objective (discuss a project, solve a problem, use features such as screen sharing, manage participants and moderate discussions). This is followed by a discussion of the experience and tips on how to improve the effectiveness of the meetings.
- Q&A session and troubleshooting common problems
Tools: Jitsi Meet, BigBlueButton.
VI. Creating a website for communication
This module will provide step-by-step guidance on creating a website for communication purposes, including choosing a platform, designing an outline and optimising for search engines - Guided practice: Practical guidance on creating a website using the chosen CMS.
- Hands-on exercise: Participants build a basic website, implement user engagement features, and examine analytical tools to evaluate website performance.
Question and answer session for resolution of common problems and clarifications.
Tools: WordPress, Joomla, Wix, Weebly
VII. Social media and external communication
Professional use of social networks and how to manage them effectively with free software tools such as Hootsuite or Buffer. Emphasis is placed on the importance of maintaining a coherent corporate image and strategies for managing online communities.
- Guided practice: Demonstration of social media account management using a social media management platform (e.g. Hootsuite).
- Practical exercise: Content planning: Participants create a social media content plan for one week using a social media management tool. They identify topics, posting schedules and analyse the effectiveness of their strategies.
- Q&A session and troubleshooting common problems
Tools: Hootsuite, Buffer, Mastodon, Diaspora
Day 3
VIII. Newsletters and email marketing
This module will teach students how to create effective newsletters and use email marketing tools, including best practices for growing and engaging your audience.
- Guided practice: Step-by-step walk-through of creating an email campaign using selected software.
- Hands-on exercise: Participants design a newsletter campaign, plan subscriber lists and analyse campaign metrics.
- Question and answer session where common questions and problems will be addressed.
IX. Project management and collaboration
Project management tools are introduced, explaining how they work and how they encourage team collaboration, task allocation and effective project tracking.
- Practical exercise: A fictitious project is created and participants must collaborate in assigning tasks, tracking progress and communicating within the selected platform (a collaborative project can be created in Taiga or Trello).
- Question and answer session in which the most common doubts and problem solving will be addressed.
Tools: Taiga, GitLab, Trello.
X. Best practices and additional resources
Share best practices for effective communication using the tools discussed.
Provide additional resources and online communities for ongoing support and learning.
XI. Wrap-up and conclusion
Recapitulation of the main findings of the training module. Concluding remarks and encouragement for participants to explore and use open source communication tools.
Note: The duration of each section can be adjusted according to the specific needs and time constraints of the training session. It is recommended to allocate sufficient time for practice and interactive discussions. If less time is available, it is possible to eliminate some of the sequences.
Day 1
I. Welcome and brief overview of the training module.
Explanation of the importance of effective communication tools for websites, social media, newsletters and others.
II. Overview of FOSS communication tools
Introduction to the philosophy of FOSS, how it differs from proprietary software and its advantages. Addresses the importance of effective communication in professional environments and how FOSS tools can improve it.
III. Electronic mail
Introduces basic concepts and discusses open source email accounts and teaches how to configure, organise and effectively use email for professional communication, with an emphasis on security and information management.
- Guided practice: Setting up email clients. Hands-on guidance for participants to create aliases and filters in their email account to automatically organise and prioritise messages. They will then share their experiences and improvements to their mail management.
- Practical exercise: Inbox organisation. Participants will be asked to organise their inboxes, create filters and set up automatic replies with Thunderbird or Evolution.
- Q&A session and troubleshooting of common problems
Tools: Thunderbird, Evolution.
Day 2
IV. Instant messaging platforms
Introduction to messaging security. Secure and open source messaging tools such as Telegram, Signal or Element are explored. Emphasis is placed on the importance of encryption and privacy in communication and the appropriate use of these tools in work environments.
- Guided practice: Use and configuration of secure platforms such as Signal or Element. Sending encrypted messages and understanding the security options available.
- Practical exercise: Exchange of encrypted messages. Exercise in which participants send encrypted messages to each other using a secure messaging tool. They then try to decrypt messages from other groups to highlight the importance of encryption.
- Q&A session and troubleshooting common problems
Tools: Telegram, Signal, Element (Matrix).
V. Videoconferencing and virtual meetings
Introduction to open source videoconferencing tools, teaching how to organise effective virtual meetings, manage participants and share content collaboratively.
- Practical exercise Role play. Divide participants into groups and assign roles for a simulated meeting using a videoconferencing tool such as Jitsi Meet. Each group has a specific objective (discuss a project, solve a problem, use features such as screen sharing, manage participants and moderate discussions). This is followed by a discussion of the experience and tips on how to improve the effectiveness of the meetings.
- Q&A session and troubleshooting common problems
Tools: Jitsi Meet, BigBlueButton.
VI. Creating a website for communication
This module will provide step-by-step guidance on creating a website for communication purposes, including choosing a platform, designing an outline and optimising for search engines - Guided practice: Practical guidance on creating a website using the chosen CMS.
- Hands-on exercise: Participants build a basic website, implement user engagement features, and examine analytical tools to evaluate website performance.
Question and answer session for resolution of common problems and clarifications.
Tools: WordPress, Joomla, Wix, Weebly
VII. Social media and external communication
Professional use of social networks and how to manage them effectively with free software tools such as Hootsuite or Buffer. Emphasis is placed on the importance of maintaining a coherent corporate image and strategies for managing online communities.
- Guided practice: Demonstration of social media account management using a social media management platform (e.g. Hootsuite).
- Practical exercise: Content planning: Participants create a social media content plan for one week using a social media management tool. They identify topics, posting schedules and analyse the effectiveness of their strategies.
- Q&A session and troubleshooting common problems
Tools: Hootsuite, Buffer, Mastodon, Diaspora
Day 3
VIII. Newsletters and email marketing
This module will teach students how to create effective newsletters and use email marketing tools, including best practices for growing and engaging your audience.
- Guided practice: Step-by-step walk-through of creating an email campaign using selected software.
- Hands-on exercise: Participants design a newsletter campaign, plan subscriber lists and analyse campaign metrics.
- Question and answer session where common questions and problems will be addressed.
IX. Project management and collaboration
Project management tools are introduced, explaining how they work and how they encourage team collaboration, task allocation and effective project tracking.
- Practical exercise: A fictitious project is created and participants must collaborate in assigning tasks, tracking progress and communicating within the selected platform (a collaborative project can be created in Taiga or Trello).
- Question and answer session in which the most common doubts and problem solving will be addressed.
Tools: Taiga, GitLab, Trello.
X. Best practices and additional resources
Share best practices for effective communication using the tools discussed.
Provide additional resources and online communities for ongoing support and learning.
XI. Wrap-up and conclusion
Recapitulation of the main findings of the training module. Concluding remarks and encouragement for participants to explore and use open source communication tools.
Note: The duration of each section can be adjusted according to the specific needs and time constraints of the training session. It is recommended to allocate sufficient time for practice and interactive discussions. If less time is available, it is possible to eliminate some of the sequences.
Thunderbird, Evolution, GitLab, Hootsuite, Mastodon, Diaspora, WordPress, Joomla, Jitsi Meet, Telegram, Signal, Element (Matrix).
Sheet language
en
Created by
Transit