Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
CONNECTING AND COMMUNICATING ONLINE
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CONNECTING AND COMMUNICATING ONLINE
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Ict
Class: SHS 3
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 10
Grade code: 3.1.3.LI.2
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 3
Content standard code: 3.1.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 3.1.3.LI.2
Theme: ICTs I N THE SOCIETY
Subtheme: CONNECTING AND COMMUNICATING ONLINE
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Welcome, students. In our daily lives here in Ghana, the internet has become as common as the trotro or the corner store. We use it to chat with friends on WhatsApp, watch hilarious skits from Teacher Kwadwo or SDK on YouTube, buy items from Jumia, and check the latest news on GhanaWeb. But have you ever stopped to think about how these online spaces are built and what makes them work? This lesson will take us "under the hood" of the internet. We will explore the different kinds of websites we use and the digital media—the images, sounds, and videos—that make them so engaging and useful.
This lesson is divided into two main parts: understanding the "places" we visit online (Websites) and the "things" we see and hear there (Digital Media). Part A: Types of Websites
A website is a collection of related web pages, including multimedia content, typically identified with a common domain name and published on at least one web server. Think of it as a book, where the website is the whole book and the web pages are the individual pages within it.
Here are the major types of websites you must know: Informational Websites Purpose: The primary goal is to provide specific, helpful information to an audience. They are like online libraries or newspapers. Characteristics: Content-rich, factual, and often updated regularly with news or articles. The focus is on reading and learning. Ghanaian Examples: GhanaWeb.com: A portal for news, sports, and entertainment in Ghana. MyJoyOnline.com: Another major news website from Multimedia Group. Ghana Health Service (ghs.gov.gh): Provides official information about health policies, disease outbreaks, and public health advice. E-commerce (Electronic Commerce) Websites Purpose: To sell goods or services directly to customers online. They are digital storefronts. Characteristics: Feature product catalogues, a shopping cart system, and a payment gateway (e.g., for Mobile Money, Visa/Mastercard). Ghanaian Examples: Jumia.com.gh: A popular online marketplace selling everything from electronics to fashion. Tonaton.com: A classifieds website where individuals and businesses can buy and sell new and used items. Kikuu.com.gh: An online platform for affordable clothing and household goods. Social Networking Websites/Platforms Purpose: To build online communities of people who share interests and activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others. Their goal is to connect people. Characteristics: User-profiles, a "friends" or "followers" list, news feeds, and tools for sharing updates, photos, and videos. Ghanaian Examples: Facebook.com: Widely used in Ghana for connecting with family, friends, and joining groups. Instagram.com: Popular for sharing visual content (photos and videos) of lifestyle, fashion, and business. WhatsApp: While a mobile app, its core function is social networking through instant messaging, groups, and status updates. Multimedia-based Websites Purpose: The primary content and attraction of the site is its multimedia content—videos, audio, and high-quality images. Characteristics: Dominated by embedded media players, playlists, and channels. User engagement is based on watching or listening. Ghanaian Examples: YouTube.com: The ultimate multimedia site. Ghanaians use it to watch music videos (e.g., from Sarkodie, Stonebwoy), comedy skits, news reports, and tutorials. Boomplay: A music streaming service very popular in Africa for listening to Ghanaian and international artists. Part B: Digital Media on the Web
Digital Media refers to any media that is encoded in a machine-readable format. It's the "stuff"—the content—that makes websites interesting and interactive. Graphics (Images) What they are: Visual representations such as photos, drawings, icons, and diagrams. Common file formats include JPEG (for photos), PNG (for graphics with transparent backgrounds), and GIF (for simple animations). Role in Communication: Grab Attention: A good product photo on Jumia makes you want to buy. Simplify Complex Information: An infographic on the Ghana Health Service website can explain COVID-19 prevention steps better than just text. Enhance Branding: A company's logo is a graphic that builds recognition. Audio What it is: Sound files, including music, podcasts, voice notes, and sound effects. Common file formats are MP3 and WAV. Role in Communication: Set a Mood: Background music on a promotional video. Provide Information: A podcast from Citi FM allows you to listen to the news while doing other things. Increase Accessibility: Audio descriptions can help visually impaired users understand website content. Personal Connection: A voice note on WhatsApp feels more personal than a text message. Videos What they are: Moving pictures, usually with sound. They are a combination of graphics and audio. The most common format is MP4. Role in Communication: Demonstrate a Process: A YouTube video showing how to prepare *fufu* is much more effective than a written recipe. Tell a Story: An advertisement video for a Ghanaian bank can create an emotional connection with viewers. Engage Users: Short, entertaining videos on TikTok or Instagram Reels are highly engaging and shareable. Plug-ins What they are: A plug-in is a piece of software that adds a specific feature to an existing computer program (in this case, a web browser like Chrome or Firefox). Think of it as an "add-on" or an "extension". Role in Communication: Extend Functionality: In the past, plug-ins like Adobe Flash Player were needed to watch videos or play games. Today, many of these functions are built into browsers. Current Examples: A PDF reader plug-in allows you to view a WAEC results slip (which is a PDF file) directly in your browser without downloading it first. A grammar checker plug-in (like Grammarly) can help you write professional emails directly in your Gmail window.