The purpose of this module is: - To provide
learners with the skills required for Information
Technology (IT) Business presentations - To
improve the learners oral, written, visual and nonverbal communication skills, - To familiarise
learners with specific communication skills
relevant in a IT business context, - To highlight the
link between organisational structure and
organisational communication, - To develop
learners awareness of interpersonal and ICT team
processes with specific reference to business
situations in multicultural Ireland. To develop in
learners skills in using software tools for effective
documentation production and presentation.
ommunication and Organisations
Communication Process; Effective Communication; Analysing Communication; Benefits of
Effective Communication; Common Barriers to Effective Communication; Organisational
Structure;Business Ethics; Impact of Information Technology on Communication; Intercultural
Sensitivities; Help Desk Communication; End User Interaction
Written Communication
Written Communication The Writing Process; Writing Styles; Basic Grammatical Rules;
Punctuation; Business Correspondence; Writing Memos; Electronic Mail; Writing Letters; Writing
Circulars; Writing Press Releases and Publicity Material; Formal and Informal Business Reports;
Academic Research;
Oral, Visual and Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal Communication; Kinesics and Proxemics; Characteristics of speech; Effective/Active
listening; Interpersonal Communication; Preparation, Structure and Delivery of Presentations;
Visual aids
Meetings as a form of Communication
Meetings in Business; Types of Meetings; Meeting Etiquette; Meeting Preparation; Meeting
Agenda; Meeting Execution and Control; Post Meeting Activities; Meeting Minutes
Effective Teams
Definition of Teams; Pitfalls of Teamwork; Team roles; Conflict and Conflict Management; Team
Processes
Recruitment Correspondence
The Recruitment Process; Job Descriptions and Person Specifications; Application Letters;
Application Forms; Curriculum Vitae; Invitation to Interview; References; Offer of Employment;
Letter of Acceptance; Letter of Resignation; Letter of Recommendation; Employment Law
Document Preparation using Word & Excel
Document set-up; Headings; Table of Contents; Referencing; Headers & Footers; Effective use of
Tables; Embedding Objects; Use of Spreadsheets for Documentation
Presentation Preparation using PowerPoint
Presentation set-up; Templates; Text & Background colours; Shapes; Alignment; Tables;
Embedding Objects; Outlining; Effective use of animation and slide transition; Use of Screen
Dumps and Graphic Manipulation. provide with study notes and how to prepare for this module
with a schedule abd actual full links
Absolutely! Here’s a comprehensive study guide, notes, and a week-by-week schedule for
your IT Business Communication module, complete with full, authoritative links for self-study and
practice.
IT Business Communication: Study Guide &
Preparation Plan
1. Communication and Organisations
Key Concepts & Study Notes
Communication Process: Sender, message, medium, receiver, feedback, noise.
Effective Communication: Clear, concise, audience-focused, feedback-driven.
Barriers: Language, cultural, physical, emotional, technological.
Organisational Structure: Hierarchical, flat, matrix; impacts information flow.
Business Ethics: Honesty, transparency, confidentiality in communication.
IT’s Impact: Speed, reach, documentation, remote work, new etiquette.
Intercultural Sensitivities: Cultural awareness, adapting communication style.
Help Desk & End User Communication: Clarity, patience, empathy, technical translation.
Resources
MindTools: The Communication Process
SkillsYouNeed: Barriers to Effective Communication
OpenLearn: Organisational Structures
Business Ethics in Communication (Study.com)
Intercultural Communication in Business (LinkedIn Learning, free trial)
2. Written Communication
Key Concepts & Study Notes
Writing Process: Planning, drafting, revising, editing, publishing.
Styles: Formal vs. informal, audience adaptation.
Grammar & Punctuation: Essential for clarity and professionalism.
Business Correspondence: Emails, memos, letters, circulars, press releases.
Reports: Structure (title, summary, body, conclusion, recommendations).
Academic Research: Referencing, citations, plagiarism awareness.
Resources
Purdue OWL: Professional, Technical Writing
Grammarly Handbook: Grammar & Punctuation
Business Correspondence (SkillsYouNeed)
How to Write a Business Report (University of Newcastle)
Academic Referencing Guide (CIT Library)
3. Oral, Visual, and Non-Verbal Communication
Key Concepts & Study Notes
Non-verbal: Body language (kinesics), space (proxemics), facial expressions.
Speech: Tone, clarity, pace, volume, articulation.
Active Listening: Eye contact, feedback, summarizing.
Interpersonal Communication: Two-way, empathy, rapport.
Presentations: Structure (intro, body, conclusion), audience engagement, Q&A.
Visual Aids: Charts, slides, handouts, infographics.
Resources
SkillsYouNeed: Non-Verbal Communication
Toastmasters: Speech Tips
Active Listening (MindTools)
How to Give a Great Presentation (Harvard Business Review)
4. Meetings as a Form of Communication
Key Concepts & Study Notes
Types: Staff, project, client, board, virtual.
Preparation: Agenda, invitees, materials.
Etiquette: Punctuality, participation, devices off.
Execution: Chairing, time management, minute-taking.
Post-Meeting: Circulating minutes, action items, follow-up.
Resources
How to Run Effective Meetings (MindTools)
Meeting Etiquette (Indeed)
Taking Minutes (SkillsYouNeed)
5. Effective Teams
Key Concepts & Study Notes
Teams: Definition, characteristics, benefits.
Pitfalls: Groupthink, free-riding, conflict.
Roles: Belbin Team Roles, leader, facilitator, recorder, etc.
Conflict Management: Collaboration, compromise, avoidance, accommodation.
Processes: Forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning (Tuckman model).
Resources
Teamwork Skills (MindTools)
Belbin Team Roles (Belbin.com)
Conflict Resolution (SkillsYouNeed)
Stages of Team Development (Indeed)
6. Recruitment Correspondence
Key Concepts & Study Notes
Recruitment Process: Job ad, application, interview, offer, onboarding.
Documents: CV, cover letter, application form, references, resignation, recommendation.
Employment Law: Discrimination, data protection, contracts.
Resources
How to Write a CV (Prospects UK)
Cover Letters (Indeed)
Sample Reference Letters (The Balance Careers)
Irish Employment Law (Citizens Information)
7. Document Preparation using Word & Excel
Key Concepts & Study Notes
Word: Styles, headings, TOC, referencing, headers/footers, tables, embedding objects.
Excel: Tables, formulas, charts, embedding in Word, formatting for reports.
Resources
Microsoft Word Training (Official)
Microsoft Excel Training (Official)
How to Create a Table of Contents in Word (YouTube)
Embedding Excel in Word (YouTube)
8. Presentation Preparation using PowerPoint
Key Concepts & Study Notes
Setup: Templates, slide master, layouts.
Design: Text/background contrast, alignment, shapes, tables.
Features: Embedding objects, outlining, animations, transitions, screenshots.
Delivery: Speaker notes, rehearsing, timing, audience engagement.
Resources
Microsoft PowerPoint Training (Official)
PowerPoint Design Tips (Canva)
How to Use Animations in PowerPoint (YouTube)
Sample 6-Week Study Schedule
Week
Topics Covered
Activities/Resources
1
Communication Process, Barriers, Org Structure, Ethics, IT
& Communication
MindTools, SkillsYouNeed, OpenLearn
2
Written Communication: Styles, Grammar, Business
Correspondence, Reports, Academic Referencing
Purdue OWL, Grammarly, SkillsYouNeed,
CIT Library
3
Oral, Visual, Non-Verbal Communication, Presentations,
Visual Aids
SkillsYouNeed, Toastmasters,
MindTools, HBR
4
Meetings: Types, Etiquette, Agendas, Minutes
MindTools, Indeed, SkillsYouNeed
5
Teams: Roles, Conflict, Teamwork Process
MindTools, Belbin, SkillsYouNeed,
Indeed
6
Recruitment Correspondence, Document Prep
(Word/Excel), Presentations (PowerPoint)
Prospects, Indeed, Microsoft Office
Training, Canva, YouTube
Ongoing:
Practice writing emails, memos, reports, and CVs.
Prepare and deliver a mock presentation (record it for feedback).
Participate in or simulate meetings (role-play minute-taking and chairing).
Use Word/Excel/PowerPoint for document and presentation assignments.
Preparation Tips
Actively use the Microsoft Office training links to practice document and presentation
creation.
Record yourself giving a presentation to self-assess delivery and non-verbal cues.
Join a study group or online forum to practice team and meeting scenarios.
Review Irish employment law basics relevant to recruitment and workplace
communication.
Seek feedback on your writing and presentations from peers or tutors.
By following this guide and using the provided resources, you’ll develop strong, practical IT
business communication skills for both academic and workplace success.