Lesson Plan 6.1

Unit 6. Energy in Information and Communication TechnologyTopic: Development of communication technologiesTime Frame: 3 days

I. OBJECTIVES:

General Objective: 1. Trace the development of communication technologies2. Demonstrate how developments in the field of telecommunications

exemplify the STS approach.

Specific Objectives1. Speculate on how the lives of a typical family is affected by developments in

communications technology2. Gain a historical perspective of the application of science and human

endeavor to satisfy a social need3. Examine how the rate and substance of change in communication

technology has accelerated

II. SUBJECT MATTER

A. Lesson: Developments in Communication Technologies

B. ReferenceMinistry of Education, Victoria, B.C. Module on Telecommunications, Science and Technology 11 Curriculum Guide, 1991.

C. Materials: See attached data sheet

III. LEARNING ACTIVITIES (Day 1)

A. MotivationGive an overview of the developments in communication technologies citing not only the major events in the history of telecommunications but also the major science concepts/principles behind the technologies.

B. Activity Proper

1. Divide the class into small groups of about equal size. Have the class identify a range of significantly different time and location, such as

Pre-civilization (ancient times) Industrial age in Europe Western society at present A rural society in a developing country like ours Global (future time)

Unit 6. Energy in ICT Lesson Plan 6.1 Developments in communication technologies 6 - 1

2. Assign each group one of these time and place locations and let them brainstorm on the means and methods of communicating specific messages. For example in the pre-civilized society, messages are sent using smoke signals, beating of drums etc. In the future, people around the world can send medical and other urgent information using the information superhighway. Groups should identify messages particularly appropriate to the specific time and location. Examples are request for traffic updates, for weather information, information regarding family matters, business, etc. Give the class 30 minutes for the brainstorming session.Have the groups share the results of their brainstorming and make note of commonalities and differences.

3. Discuss with the class how the development of the technologies were triggered by scientific and /or technological advances as well as by the needs of society.

C. Generalization From the class discussion draw out the understanding that as

technological and scientific advances occur, the previous technologies no longer meet the expectations of society and they become obsolete.

IV. ASSIGNMENT Read about timelines and how to prepare them. What can be gleaned from timelines?

Unit 6. Energy in ICT Lesson Plan 6.1 Developments in communication technologies 6 - 2