The Loco Email Exchange

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  Course Name:

  Fundamentals of Web and Software Development

  Course Number:

  9009500

  Career Cluster:

  Information Technology

  CIP:

  149009500M

  CTE Benchmarks:

  CTE-IT.68.9009500.5.8 - Reply to an email message.

  CTE-IT.68.9009500.5.10 - Identify the appropriate use of email and demonstrate related email etiquette.

• Unit Outline

  
  

  This lesson is designed to be used with the case study, "Loco for Logos." See CPALMS Resource ID#220167

• Career Connection

  
  

  This lesson supports the durable skills of communication and character in the Web and Software Development career field. Through this lesson, students will explore the steps a consultant should take to communicate effectively with a client. The students will demonstrate how a professional’s character is part of their reputation and how to maintain professionalism when tough situations arise.

• Learning Objectives

  
  

  Students will be able to:

  • Identify the appropriate use of email.
  • Demonstrate email etiquette.
  • Write a professional email that uses grade level convention expectations.

• Prior Knowledge

  
  

  Students should be familiar with/ able to:

  • Basics functions of email.

• Guiding Questions

  
  
  • Why do people use email to communicate?
  • How should you structure the content of an email?
  • Why is email etiquette important in the workplace?

• Procedure

  
  
  1. To introduce this lesson, the teacher will poll students on their use of email. This poll can be set up digitally to support the discussion about gathering information digitally. Ask students to identify which level they are at with using email.
  • • What is an email?
  • • I know how to open and send email.
  • • I feel comfortable writing emails to people I know.
  • • I am a professional with email. I can write and send an email to anyone.
  2. Read the case study, “Loco for Logos,’ See CPALMS Resource ID#220167. This can be done individually or in small groups.
  • • Ask students to locate which technology is used to communicate.
  • • Allow students time to annotate the case study with questions or observations.
  3. After the students have had time to read the case study, ask them to identify the communication issues that arise between Carlos and Alex.
  • • What are Carlo’s expectations for the new Logo? What evidence was given to support your claim?
  • • What information does Alex request from Carlos? Does he get all of the answers through Carlos’ communication?
  • • What tone or emotion is conveyed through Carlos’ email?
  • • What suggestions do you have for Carlos’ email to make it more professional?
  • • How should Alex respond to Carlos’ email?
  4. Make sure to discuss the durable skills of communication and character within the case study. A character aspect that could be discussed could be, "How do we respond to other people when we are disappointed or upset?" and "What are ways that professionals handle conflict?" Make sure to draw attention to the fact that both Carlos and Alex are professionals and have different responsibilities in this situation.
  5. Ask students to partner up and discuss professionalism, have them record 3 ideas on a sticky note about what they believe professionalism is. Then hold a quick class discussion on the shared ideas of the class. Address any ideas about professionalism that the class did not brainstorm together. Now that they have a clearer idea of the meaning of professionalism, they will be writing a professional email.
  6. As a class, brainstorm what makes an email professional. Create a shared professional email together. Include:
  • • Subject line
  • • Salutation: Dear “Name”
  • • Polite language
  • • Check grammar and spelling
  • • Professional signature
  6. Now that students have analyzed the case study, introduce their email project. Pass out copies of the email exchange template to individuals or groups.
  7. Students will respond to Carlos’ email acting as Alex, the graphic designer. They will address his concerns as a professional, then ask clarifying questions. Then give a clear outline of next steps.
  8. Students will then respond as Alex, the food truck owner, They will answer questions that Alex as posed, ask further clarifying questions, and ensure their email has a professional tone.
  9. After students have completed this template, the teacher might choose to have students practice typing one of the email responses and sending it using their student email accounts. The teacher may share several example emails from students. The class can then highlight the proper email etiquette that is demonstrated.
  10. To bring the lesson to a close, the teacher will provide an exit slip or journal prompt. "Imagine your dream career, now describe how you will use email etiquette to be successful in your career.”
  11. The teacher will ask the following questions as a closing discussion:
  • • Why is communication in the workplace important?
  • • How do you demonstrate your character through an email?
  • • What role do you believe email will have in your future career?
  • • What would you expect from your leaders in a professional email?
  • • How is an email a beneficial way to communicate?
    • Is an email always the best form of communication? When would it be better to use another form of communication?

• Teacher Notes

  
  

  Teachers may choose to have students demonstrate emailing using their student email accounts or students may hand write emails if needed.