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Digital Literacies

This programme aligns with the UWC Library’s Information Literacy objectives and the UWC Graduate Attributes. It comprises of a series of initiatives that seek to develop digital literacies and are targeted at UWC students and staff.

Training Information

Email time-saving tips for increased productivity

Purpose:

You will learn how to save time in Gmail with useful tips for safety and productivity.

By the end of this training, you should be able to:

  • Use time-saving email tips for increased productivity:
    • undo sending email;
    • schedule sending email;
    • use templates for repeat emails;
    • setting up your email signature and vacation responder;
    • reducing space usage, etc.
  • Use safety tips so that you can avoid email-based spam and phishing scams.

Date:

Wednesday,

10 April

Time:

13h00 – 14h00

Registration Link:

https://uwc-ac-za.libcal.com/event/12311200

GMail - Top Productivity Features

 

Workshop Purpose:
You will learn how to save time in Gmail with useful tips for productivity.

Workshop Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this training workshop, you should be able to:

• undo sending email • schedule sending email • use templates for repeat emails • setting up your email signature and vacation responder • reducing space usage, and more!

Practice Task

Let’s assume that you are employed as a Subject Tutor and you are responsible for the facilitation of small group instruction with 20 students in a first-year module. A key performance area of this role is that you may involve on-line interaction with students allocated to your tutorial group. In addition to using the iKamva Learning Management System (discussion forums, e-Assessments, etc.), you are required to use Gmail for one-on-one discussions regarding tutorial tasks with the module administrator, coordinator, lecturer and students.

To practice what you have learned in the training session on Gmail’s top productivity features, please check your understanding by performing the following actions on your email account:

  1. If the theme of your email account is default then change it to a theme (background colour / image) of your choice.
  2. Set your inbox to display all unread emails first (on top).
  3. Set up your undo send feature to be 30 seconds.
  4. Set up your email signature to include your full names, contact number and email address. You may design your signature on an external application and save as an image. Thereafter, upload the image onto your email signature. See the Google Support page for more information.
  5. Activate (switch on) the smart composition for predictive writing suggestions personalised to your writing style;
  6. Activate (switch on) the desktop notifications feature. This setting should allow University of the Western Cape Mail to display popup notifications on your desktop when new email messages arrive.
  7. Activate (switch on) the keyboard shortcuts feature. This setting allows you to navigate your inbox and messages, format text, and complete actions like archiving and deleting. To see a complete list of keyboard shortcuts go to the Google Support page for more information.
  8. Create an email template using the information in the box below. Remember that templates may be used when you are sending reoccurring emails or when you type the same reply every time someone sends you an email with a common question. You simply compose your email / reply once and save the email as a template. Later, you can open the template and send it again with just a few clicks. See the Google Support page for more information.

Simply copy the following information into the email template:

Subject: UWC Library: Digital Apps Training – Gmail Optional Task

Dear [Student Name]

My name is [Instructor Name], and I am your tutor for [Class]. According to my records, you have missed the first [#] tutorial session and have not turned in the first assignment (worth 10% of your grade). Attending tutorials is important to your success in our module. In addition, the first assignments are a chance to practice with module content and get feedback from me that can support your work throughout the term.

I’d like to meet with you during office hours, and I’d encourage you to use resources available through the UWC Writing Centre.

Please reply and let me know if you’re available to visit office hours [day/time] or what other times work for your schedule during the week. Let’s work together so you can catch up and do your best in [Class] this term.

            Sincerely,

            Your Names
 
  1. Using the schedule send feature, schedule to send the email template you created in task 10 above to be released to the email address uwcfacultylibrarians@gmail.com at 14h00 on 15 April 2022.
  2. After you press send on the email template to the email address uwcfacultylibrarians@gmail.com, notice at the bottom left hand side that you have the option to undo the send should you have forgotten to include more information or an attachment.

UWC LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICES

University of the Western Cape,

Robert Sobukwe Road,

Bellville,

7535

Tel: 021 959 2946