What is ICT?

The impact of ICT in society

In today’s rapidly globalising, knowledge based society, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills are essential.  ICT encompasses radios, computers, mobile phones, tablets and all other communication devices and applications.  Students are constantly connected at home and at school; they have quick, easy access to information and social networking.  The use of ICT for communicating, researching, emailing, educational games and gathering data can be highly beneficial, however there are risks associated with the use of ICT too.  

This blog will focus on the ‘applying social and ethical protocols and practices when using ICT’ component of the Australian Curriculum ICT General Capability.  At school, students engage with this component through learning to recognise intellectual property, apply digital information and security practices, apply personal security protocols, and identify the impacts of ICT in society.  Being ICT capable is not a fixed ability; as technology rapidly advances, students must continue to develop their ICT skills, to become positive digital citizens.   This blog will provide you with strategies you can use and further resources you can explore, to support your child through year 9 as they continue to develop the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT.  Click on the diagram below to access more information about the ICT General Capability.

Organising Elements for ICT Capability by ACARA Licensed CC BY 4.0

ICT in the classroom:

In Health Education, we are completing an inquiry investigation about the impact of social media on body image and well-being.  We have a specific focus on the applying personal security protocols, and identifying the impact of ICT in society.  Students will explore strategies they can use to enhance the emotional safety of themselves and others online, and recognise that they should be critical of images they view online, as they do not always represent reality.  Inquiry questions for this investigation include: how can social media impact well-being, and what strategies can be used to enhance emotional safety online? Students will be expected to recognise intellectual property and reference resources they use in their final product; this blog will allow you to support them with this step.  Please feel free to email me with any questions or access the investigation task sheet on our Schoolbox site.