The internet is a global system that interconnects computer networks worldwide for communication.
From time immemorial, people have been using different forms of communication to pass messages. For example, during the early age, also known as the Stone age, people communicate with semiotics, signs, and symbols.
However, the world is evolving, and there have been changes in time and period, which equally birthed the era of the internet and technology.
As stated earlier, internet communication takes place via different channels. In this article, I will walk you through different internet communication channels for students and proffer a guideline that can facilitate effective online communication for Nigerian university students.
Table of Contents
6 Tools for Effective Internet Communication for Students
Below is a list and short note on a guide that aids effective internet communication,
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Social Media
However, social media has been a medium of socializing through the internet. Apart from the social benefit, it also serves as an effective internet communication medium through social media applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram. It also gives room for knowledge and learning new things.
Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerberg and his roommates at Harvard University in 2004. Facebook is the largest social internet communication network. It is a platform that allows socializing by creating personal profiles to meet new people. However, Facebook allows the creation of various groups, which gives room for collecting people with similar or the same mindset or interests.
The creation of groups on Facebook is also applicable to various universities having individual groups to reach various students in their respective institutions to pass information across to the students. It can be a good medium of internet communication for students in Nigeria.
Twitter is another social platform that enables communication at a wide range. Twitter was launched in 2006; it enables internet communication through what is referred to as a tweet which is limited to 140 characters. It enables users to share pictures, videos, information, and other web-based content.
For emphasis, the hashtag is used when tweeting to make it trend and known to the general public. This trending feature on Twitter is called “space,” allowing different people to relate to the topic being discussed.
The “Space” feature fosters good internet communication for students when a relevant topic is being treated or discussed. For example, if an individual decides to host a space discussion about the ASUU strike or various occurrences in various universities, this new Twitter feature will help to reinforce internet communication for students affected by the ASUU strike.
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that was launched in 2003. It is a standard platform for employers looking for new talent. It is a place where students can speak with various individuals, companies, or groups and develop an interest in various careers or jobs.
The primary purpose of LinkedIn is to connect people and the world’s professionals for productivity through internet communication. The world is digitized, and everyone, especially young Nigerians (students or graduates) trying to have one digital skill; LinkedIn is the best platform that creates interaction between professionals and new intakes.
LinkedIn also makes internet communication for students easy regarding getting information regarding any digital skills of their choice.
Read also: How to optimise your Linkedin profile for success
Tumblr or “Tumblogs,” is another micro-blogging platform that allows users a fast and quick way to post text, images, audio, links, and video launched in 2007.
This is an attempt to compete with Facebook. The Google Plus features include a hangout for video and phone calls or chatting, text, pictures, and circles to share information with different groups, students, and the community.
Insight can help boost your interaction on social media. Connect with us on Instagram, Linkedin, and twitter, and feel free to interact with our posts on career and business development.
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Blog
A blog is an informative website that fosters internet communication. It is always used to share information such as news, lifestyle, entrepreneurship, sport, politics, education, and more. It allows web writers or content creators to share thoughts and ideas with other web users easily.
Blog gets more interactive when readers make comments and create discussions, another form of internet communication for students reading. The word blog is derived from “weblog,” which refers to a log of the dated posting by a specific author or writer. An average student is either using a smartphone or a personal computer which makes it easier for them to access various blogs to get information.
Read also: 12 Lucrative Ways to Make Money from Blogging in Nigeria
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Email
Electronic email is a very common and popular form of internet communication, generally known as email. Email permits sending messages, files, documents as well as pictures. To successfully transfer information or communication, you must have the recipient’s email address. Email allows internet communication as long as you are connected to the internet.
Various email programs and services include Gmail, Yahoo mail, Hotlook, Outlook, etc. The email is not limited to official or important messages alone; it is also useful for Nigerian students who receive messages from organizations or companies. Before the popularity of social media applications, email was one of the best and fastest mediums for internet communication for students, organizations, and companies.
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Virtual Meetings
This is one amazing internet communication for students and society at large. It doesn’t only give room for audio communication like phone calls; it also allows visibility of second and third parties or the person you are communicating with as if they are physically present. It allows communication between so many people at a time.
Various applications make virtual calls easy. They are Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, among others. This virtual meeting was effective in most Nigerian universities during COVID-19, where students took lectures through Google Classrooms.
Virtual Meeting platforms served as an adequate channel for effective internet communication for students in Nigeria during the COVID 19 pandemic. This article won’t
Read also: 6 Virtual Interview Tips to Ace your Next Interview
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Phone Call
Unlike virtual calls, this only allows audio communication between two or more people, in a case whereby the conversation between three or more people is referred to as a conference call. It also allows international and local calls as long as you are connected to a network provider and have the line recharged.
Students can call one another to pass on information to one. Some social media applications possess this feature too, where you can make calls using the application. A good example is Facebook, Hangout, WhatsApp, and so on.
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Text Message
Text message, also known as SMS, is a tool that can be used for effective communication for students. This is one of the features of a mobile phone, and it is also a means of communication that may be faster than email.
Conclusion
We have looked at the various ways Nigerian University students can use the internet to communicate and pass across information to one another. Also, we have seen differences between various internet communications mediums. This article has looked into six different mediums in which communication can occur and the process and features of some of these mediums.
However, internet communication for students is one major area Nigerian universities should encourage and look into to equip the students adequately with enough knowledge of the internet and its advantages.
The Internet is a great tool that can help you as a student in Nigeria scale through in your academics and career. Looking for ways to build a digital skill using any of the tools mentioned in this article? Join this interactive community.
About Author
- I am Ojeyemi Adeleye, a theatre arts graduate of the University of Ilorin, and a master's in view in Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University. I am a content writer who believes the world can be brought to your doorstep through writing.
