To understand the technologies of today’s society and to imagine the possibilities of the future, it is important to see our current technology in context by looking also at where modern designs developed from.

This clip makes a great introduction to a lesson looking at modern communication technology design. Students can record a voice over commentary for this clip using a voice recorder. There are five reviewed here by Dennis O’Reilly.

H.O.T. Question It

• After viewing the above clip, interpret the meaning of the closing screen shot and the phrase ‘Live Unmuted’
• Predict where communication technology design will take us in the future. Design the next generation communication device.

This example of a visual timeline designed by Chris Edgar can be used to illustrate one way to represent students growing understanding of the evolution of communication. Or have students create their own timeline using Dipity. This timeline generator can be embedded into a class blog where students individual projects can feature within the timeline.

The following Digital systems lesson sequence is a sequence of activities that can be used to familiarise students with the basic functions of a desk top computer and peripheral devices. Most activities are covered in dot points with one of the final activity described in more detail. This more fun, light-hearted activity can act as an energising session part way through in order to motivate students and support all students to become involved.

This site shows the even bigger picture, Invisible Networks is a project showing the physical infrastructure of the internet in stunning photographs.

Year 3 and 4

Explore and use a range of digital systems with peripheral devices for different purposes, and transmit different types of data (ACTDIK007)

Year 5 and 6

Investigate the main components of common digital systems, their basic functions and interactions, and how such digital systems may connect together to form networks to transmit data (ACTDIK014)

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA] (2014). Design and Technologies: Foundation to Year 10 curriculum. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/technologies/design-and-technologies/Curriculum/F-10

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA] (2014). Digital Technologies: Foundation to Year 10 curriculum. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/technologies/digital-technologies/Curriculum/F-10