This content is located in CAPS under Internet Technologies: Communication for Grade 12.

Digital communication is central to the way individuals and organisations interact. By exploring the uses of computer/digital communication, educators can help students better understand its relevance and application in their personal and professional lives. This includes modern tools like podcasts, GPS technology, and geo-tagging, which offer unique opportunities for engagement and education.

Making Digital Communication Practical in Class

1. Podcasts: Interactive Auditory Learning Podcasts are a versatile medium for sharing information, discussing topics, and storytelling. Here’s how teachers can bring this concept to life in the classroom:

• Create a Class Podcast: Assign students a topic related to CAT or another subject. Have them research, script, and record a podcast episode. Use free tools like Audacity for editing and platforms like Anchor for sharing.
• Podcast Listening Activity: Select an educational podcast and assign it as “listening homework.” Follow up with discussions or quizzes to gauge understanding.
• Analysis of Podcasts: Provide different types of podcasts and ask students to analyse their purpose, audience, and effectiveness.

2. GPS Technology: Navigating the World GPS (Global Positioning System) is a tool widely used in transport, fitness, and emergency response. Activities can include:

• Map It Out: Have students use Google Maps or other GPS apps to plot a route between two locations. They can compare walking, driving, and cycling routes, discussing factors such as time, distance, and real-world scenarios where GPS is critical.
• Case Study Exploration: Discuss how GPS is used in agriculture, logistics, or disaster management. Students could research one application and present it to the class.

3. Geo-Tagging: Enhancing Context with Location Geo-tagging involves tagging digital content with geographic information. It is integral to social media and photography applications.

• Photo Geo-Tagging Assignment: Students take photos of landmarks, upload them to a shared online platform, and add location tags. This could integrate with a project exploring local history or environmental studies.
• Social Media Simulation: Simulate the geo-tagging functionality of platforms like Instagram. Students can create mock posts, incorporating location data to make their posts more interactive and context-rich.

Resource Considerations for All Schools In under-resourced settings, these activities can still thrive:

• Use offline tools like printed maps or download podcasts ahead of time.
• Leverage basic GPS functions available on most smartphones.
• Encourage students to write descriptions of geo-tagged content rather than uploading it online.

Critical Thinking and Ethical Discussions Encourage discussions around the ethical implications of these technologies:

• What are the privacy concerns associated with geo-tagging?
• How can students ensure the responsible use of GPS and digital media platforms?
• Discuss intellectual property and the importance of crediting sources in podcasts.

By introducing podcasts, GPS, and geo-tagging, teachers can make digital communication tangible and relatable. These concepts not only expand technical knowledge but also build critical thinking and practical skills, setting students up for success in a tech-centric world.