| |
Classroom Activities
Developing Historical Perspectives on Communications Technology
- Ask students to think about and list various technologies and methods they use to communicate with others. Record their responses in a column under a heading of "Communicating in the 21st century."
- Optional: Show this image (printable) and tell them that the lithograph was created to represent "The Progress of the Century." Ask students if they can identify a communication technology invented in mid-nineteenth century depicted in the lithograph.
- Ask students to give examples of communications technologies and methods used until the late 19th century. Record their responses in a column titled "Communicating in the 19th century."
- Review and compare the items in the two columns. Conduct a class discussion using the questions below: (Optional: Students can work in small groups and, afterwards, share their discussion points with the class.)
- What do you notice about the lists? (e.g., The 21st century column may have many more items than the 19th century column) Why do you think this is?
- Select the three most interesting communication tools/methods from these two columns and identify the similarities and differences among them.
- What common goals do the communications technologies serve for people?
- How has communications technology evolved in society? What has changed, e.g., science, speed, technology, materials, uses, etc?
- Summarize the class discussion. Encourage students to look for the historical aspects of telecommunication development at the online exhibition, The Once and Future Web.
|
|
|
|