This content is located in CAPS under Internet Technologies: Communication for Grade 11.

When teaching Communication Devices, it is essential to link the topic to devices students use daily, making learning relatable and exciting. This includes mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and wearables like smartwatches or fitness trackers.

Begin the discussion by asking students about the devices they use most frequently and for what purposes. This will introduce a context to explore how these devices support communication and why they are classified as communication tools.

Teaching Communication Devices

Mobile Devices

Mobile devices, such as laptops and smartphones, are integral tools for communication. Highlight their portability and multifunctionality, which include calling, texting, browsing, and app usage.

Classroom Idea:

• Conduct a “Device Breakdown” activity where students work in groups to research and present one communication feature of mobile devices (e.g., how SMS works, mobile data, or Wi-Fi connectivity). This integrates research skills with practical knowledge.

Smartphones

Smartphones are the epitome of convergence, integrating communication, computing, and multimedia features.

Interactive Example:

• Have students explore features such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) through apps like WhatsApp or Skype. Create a mock classroom video call where students practice professional etiquette (muting microphones, raising hands to speak).

Tablets

Tablets serve as middle-ground devices, offering larger screens than smartphones but more portability than laptops. They are excellent for multimedia communication, such as video conferencing and collaborative work.

Practical Activity:

• Set up a task where students use tablets to record and edit a short vlog introducing their favourite app. The goal is to show how these devices facilitate content creation and sharing.

Wearables

Wearable devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, have revolutionised how we interact with technology. They use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to sync with smartphones and provide notifications, health tracking, and even voice communication.

Creative Classroom Idea:

• Demonstrate wearable technology by showing how smartwatches manage communication. If feasible, pair a wearable device with a smartphone to display message notifications, voice commands, or fitness tracking.

Leveraging Bloom’s Taxonomy

• Remembering: Define and list the types of communication devices.
• Understanding: Discuss how mobile devices support different forms of communication.
• Applying: Use a device to demonstrate a communication task, like composing an email or joining a video conference.
• Analysing: Compare the features and functions of smartphones, tablets, and wearables.
• Evaluating: Debate the pros and cons of wearable devices as communication tools.
• Creating: Develop a concept for a new wearable communication device, detailing its features and potential impact.

By incorporating these real-world examples and interactive activities, students will grasp the significance of communication devices in their lives and future careers. The practical application will also prepare them to evaluate and use such technologies effectively.

Share your ideas for integrating communication devices into your lessons in the comments below!