Curriculum guide
Section 1 Mobile connections
Overarching inquiry question
How does access to mobile technologies influence places?
This section explores our personal connections to places through the lens of our mobile phones. As information and communication technologies advance, and access to mobile technology rapidly increases in Australia, students are increasingly connecting to people, places, information and goods and services through their mobile devices. Australians now enjoy high levels of access to ICT and it is recognised that young people in particular are increasingly digitally connected.
However, access to ICT is not equitable on the national or global scale. This inequality is known as the digital divide. Identification of the digital divide across scales, and the impact this has on places, allows students to investigate the issue through the geographical inquiry process.
Learning intention
Students will be introduced to the topic Mobile Connections. To engage with this topic the main ideas around connections will be presented as a slideshow of image found on the camera roll of a mobile phone. Students identify connections to places, perceptions of places and our connection to people and reflect on the role mobile technology plays in these connections
Teacher notes
This unit is driven by our connections to people and place as influenced by our mobile devices. To maximise the learning intention some of the activities in this resource will require the use of a mobile phone. Current education policy relating to mobile phone use in schools differs and as such activities in Mobile Connections can be modified. Activities requiring a mobile phone can be delivered as homework or using other devices such as a laptop or tablet.
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner is an independent statutory office and provides invaluable advice to students on keeping safe online. In this lesson students may wish to investigate the debate relating to access to mobile devices in schools.
Preparation:
- Prepare a slideshow of personal connections as found in the camera roll of a mobile device. It is recommended that the teacher share images from their own camera roll.
- Allows students to share their own personal connections in the lesson.
Questions for inquiry
- What are our personal connections to places?
- How are we connected to these places?
- What are our perceptions of these places?
- Where are these places?
- What factors influence our connections to places?
Stimulus
Activity 1
Reflect on the slideshow of connections. Discuss the following points: • places • scale of places • transport and infrastructure connections • family connections • consumption connections • entertainment connections • perceptions of places • ‘the world is getting smaller’ • issues associated with the connections we make through mobile technology.
Activity 2
Examine your own personal connections through images on your camera roll.
- Create a new album in Photos on your device and name the album, My Connections.
- Select up to 10 images from your camera roll and social media sites that represent your connections to places. Consider images of places you have visited, your family connections, personal products you own, entertainment choices, foods and places you may like to visit in the future.
- Discuss your personal connections.
- What factors influenced your connection to these places and people?
- Collate your images into a collage using PicCollage or other collage app.
- Share your collage with the class.
Extension Activity 1
Create a Google MyMap to locate the places you have connections with. Connections can be categorised, pinned and annotated. Possible categories may include travel, places you have been to or wish to go to, recreation and leisure such as sporting interests, hobbies, activities and cultural connections such as family connections and heritage, foods, family traditions.
Extension Activity 2
Explore the maps app on your mobile phone and the functionality it provides to connect people and places.
Suggested apps
Learning intention
Students will be introduced to the topic Mobile Connections. To engage with this topic the main ideas around connections will be presented as a slideshow of image found on the camera roll of a mobile phone. Students identify connections to places, perceptions of places and our connection to people and reflect on the role mobile technology plays in these connections
Teacher notes
This unit is driven by our connections to people and place as influenced by our mobile devices. To maximise the learning intention some of the activities in this resource will require the use of a mobile phone. Current education policy relating to mobile phone use in schools differs and as such activities in Mobile Connections can be modified. Activities requiring a mobile phone can be delivered as homework or using other devices such as a laptop or tablet.
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner is an independent statutory office and provides invaluable advice to students on keeping safe online. In this lesson students may wish to investigate the debate relating to access to mobile devices in schools.
Preparation:
- Prepare a slideshow of personal connections as found in the camera roll of a mobile device. It is recommended that the teacher share images from their own camera roll.
- Allows students to share their own personal connections in the lesson.
Questions for inquiry
- What are our personal connections to places?
- How are we connected to these places?
- What are our perceptions of these places?
- Where are these places?
- What factors influence our connections to places?
Stimulus
Activity 1
Reflect on the slideshow of connections. Discuss the following points: • places • scale of places • transport and infrastructure connections • family connections • consumption connections • entertainment connections • perceptions of places • ‘the world is getting smaller’ • issues associated with the connections we make through mobile technology.
Activity 2
Examine your own personal connections through images on your camera roll.
- Create a new album in Photos on your device and name the album, My Connections.
- Select up to 10 images from your camera roll and social media sites that represent your connections to places. Consider images of places you have visited, your family connections, personal products you own, entertainment choices, foods and places you may like to visit in the future.
- Discuss your personal connections.
- What factors influenced your connection to these places and people?
- Collate your images into a collage using PicCollage or other collage app.
- Share your collage with the class.
Extension Activity 1
Create a Google MyMap to locate the places you have connections with. Connections can be categorised, pinned and annotated. Possible categories may include travel, places you have been to or wish to go to, recreation and leisure such as sporting interests, hobbies, activities and cultural connections such as family connections and heritage, foods, family traditions.
Extension Activity 2
Explore the maps app on your mobile phone and the functionality it provides to connect people and places.
Suggested apps
Learning intention
Students will be introduced to the topic Mobile Connections. To engage with this topic the main ideas around connections will be presented as a slideshow of image found on the camera roll of a mobile phone. Students identify connections to places, perceptions of places and our connection to people and reflect on the role mobile technology plays in these connections
Teacher notes
This unit is driven by our connections to people and place as influenced by our mobile devices. To maximise the learning intention some of the activities in this resource will require the use of a mobile phone. Current education policy relating to mobile phone use in schools differs and as such activities in Mobile Connections can be modified. Activities requiring a mobile phone can be delivered as homework or using other devices such as a laptop or tablet.
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner is an independent statutory office and provides invaluable advice to students on keeping safe online. In this lesson students may wish to investigate the debate relating to access to mobile devices in schools.
Preparation:
- Prepare a slideshow of personal connections as found in the camera roll of a mobile device. It is recommended that the teacher share images from their own camera roll.
- Allows students to share their own personal connections in the lesson.
Questions for inquiry
- What are our personal connections to places?
- How are we connected to these places?
- What are our perceptions of these places?
- Where are these places?
- What factors influence our connections to places?
Stimulus
Activity 1
Reflect on the slideshow of connections. Discuss the following points: • places • scale of places • transport and infrastructure connections • family connections • consumption connections • entertainment connections • perceptions of places • ‘the world is getting smaller’ • issues associated with the connections we make through mobile technology.
Activity 2
Examine your own personal connections through images on your camera roll.
- Create a new album in Photos on your device and name the album, My Connections.
- Select up to 10 images from your camera roll and social media sites that represent your connections to places. Consider images of places you have visited, your family connections, personal products you own, entertainment choices, foods and places you may like to visit in the future.
- Discuss your personal connections.
- What factors influenced your connection to these places and people?
- Collate your images into a collage using PicCollage or other collage app.
- Share your collage with the class.
Extension Activity 1
Create a Google MyMap to locate the places you have connections with. Connections can be categorised, pinned and annotated. Possible categories may include travel, places you have been to or wish to go to, recreation and leisure such as sporting interests, hobbies, activities and cultural connections such as family connections and heritage, foods, family traditions.
Extension Activity 2
Explore the maps app on your mobile phone and the functionality it provides to connect people and places.
Suggested apps
Want to know more?
Mobile Connections Apple Book
The digital book contains narrated videos, stunning images, interactive activities and detailed text to help students design and implement positive actions for sustainability.
Mobile Connections Apple Book
The digital book contains narrated videos, stunning images, interactive activities and detailed text to help students design and implement positive actions for sustainability.