This content is located in CAPS under Social Implications: Impact on Society for Grade 10.

When we think about how ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) shape our lives and lifestyles, the impact is as evident as the smartphones in our hands or the convenience of online services. For Grade 10 learners, understanding this concept is more than theoretical—it connects to the technology they interact with every day. This lesson offers a great opportunity to make learning dynamic and relatable.

Contextualising ICTs in Daily Life

Start by helping learners visualise ICT’s impact on various aspects of their lives:

• Communication: Discuss how WhatsApp, email, and video calls allow people to stay connected across the globe. Pose a question: How has communicating with friends and family changed over the years?
• Education: Introduce tools like Google Classroom or YouTube tutorials and ask: What would learning look like without ICTs?
• Shopping and Banking: Highlight how online banking and e-commerce platforms (e.g., Takealot) make tasks easier but also have implications like cybersecurity risks.

Encourage learners to create a mind map showing how ICTs impact communication, education, health, transport, and leisure.

Practical Classroom Activities

1. ICT Journaling: Assign students a task to record every interaction they have with ICTs in a single day. The list might include using an app, browsing the web, or attending an online meeting. This activity brings to light the depth of ICT integration in their lives.
2. Debate: Divide the class into two groups. One argues how ICTs enhance lifestyles, and the other highlights challenges such as digital addiction or privacy concerns. This approach nurtures critical thinking and discussion skills.
3. Scenario Discussions:
   • Present scenarios like “A person living in a rural area gains access to online education through a smartphone.” Ask learners to evaluate how ICT has transformed that person’s life.
   • Alternatively, discuss negative implications, such as how fake news spreads rapidly via social networks.

Real-World Examples and Applications

Discuss the use of ICTs in specific industries to broaden students’ understanding:

• Healthcare: Telemedicine apps like Hello Doctor.
• Transport: Ride-hailing apps like Bolt or Uber.
• Entertainment: Streaming platforms like Spotify or Netflix.

This can be an opportunity to introduce the concept of the Digital Divide and explain how some communities may lack access to ICTs.

Relating to Learners’ Experiences

Ask learners how ICTs have influenced their personal routines. They may mention:

• Online gaming or social media use.
• Using apps to complete school projects.
• Ordering takeaway using apps like Uber Eats or Mr D.

This approach makes the topic more relatable and engaging while fostering awareness of ICT’s dual-edged nature.

Ethical and Societal Considerations

Conclude by discussing the responsibilities that come with using ICTs:

• Emphasise netiquette when communicating online.
• Discuss concerns like cyberbullying, data privacy, and screen time management.

Encourage learners to brainstorm ways they can use ICTs responsibly and productively to enrich their lives while being mindful of its challenges. By using practical examples and connecting theoretical concepts to learners’ daily experiences, teachers can transform this topic into an engaging exploration of how technology shapes the world around us.