Texting is a significant part of our daily communication, but it can be confusing, especially for students in Special Education. When we talk to someone in person, we can see their facial expressions and hear their tone of voice. Unfortunately, we don’t have these clues when we text someone, so we may misunderstand what their messages actually mean. To help our students navigate this virtual world, we need to teach them essential Cyber Skills. These skills are crucial in preventing misunderstandings, avoiding upsetting others, and resolving tricky texting situations.
No-Prep Activity: Texting Scenario Role-Play
This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. Ask your students to pair up and role-play a texting scenario where one person sends a confusing or ambiguous message. The other student should practice using their Cyber Skills to ask for clarification and resolve the confusion. After a few minutes, have the students switch roles. This exercise will help them develop their communication and problem-solving skills in real-life texting situations.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to think about what we’re going to say before we send a text message?
- How can we handle a confusing text message using our Cyber Skills?
- What can we do if we accidentally upset someone through our text messages?
- How can we improve our communication skills in texting situations?
- Why is it essential to recognize the appropriate time and place for texting?
Related Skills
Teaching Cyber Skills is essential for effective communication in the digital world. However, there are other related skills that your students can benefit from:
- Active Listening: Encourage students to pay attention to the sender’s words and ask questions for clarification.
- Empathy: Teach students to put themselves in the sender’s shoes and consider how they might feel in a similar situation.
- Assertiveness: Help students learn to express their thoughts and feelings respectfully and confidently.
- Conflict Resolution: Teach students to identify conflicts in texting situations and find solutions to resolve them.
Next Steps
By teaching your students the importance of Cyber Skills in texting situations, you can help them navigate the digital world more effectively and confidently. To explore more activities and resources related to Cyber Skills and other essential Social-Emotional Learning skills, sign up for free samples at Everyday Speech. These materials will provide you with valuable tools to support your students’ growth and development in various social situations.
