Lesson 40: Types Of Communication & Impact Of Technology On Society
About This Lesson: This lesson helps students understand how communication technology has changed the way people share information, collaborate, market products, and interact in school, work, and everyday life. Students will explore different types of communication, including oral, written, and unspoken communication, while examining tools such as email, social media, video conferencing, shared documents, and online platforms. The lesson also focuses on the benefits and challenges of digital communication, including speed, convenience, collaboration, misinformation, privacy concerns, intellectual property, information security, phishing, identity theft, and responsible AI use. By the end of the lesson, students will be able to explain how technology affects communication and marketing, identify safe and ethical digital practices, and apply responsible communication skills in real-world situations.
Lesson Plan & Other Important Documents
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Do Now Prompt:
Think about the last 24 hours. What are three ways you used communication technology? For each example, explain whether it was oral, written, or unspoken communication. Then identify one possible benefit and one possible risk of using that tool.
Directions: If you fully understand the following points, you have done your job with this lesson..
Download The Worksheet
Directions: Download and fill in the preview worksheet and then attach it to Schoology.
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The Evolution Of Communication:
Understanding Types Of Communication and the Impact of Technology on Society
Communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction. It allows individuals to express thoughts, share ideas, and connect with one another. As society has evolved, so too have the methods of communication, especially with the rapid advancement of technology. This literary nonfiction text will explore the types of communication, assess the uses of modern communication technology, and discuss the importance of intellectual property, privacy, and security in today's digital age.
Communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction. It allows individuals to express thoughts, share ideas, and connect with one another. As society has evolved, so too have the methods of communication, especially with the rapid advancement of technology. This literary nonfiction text will explore the types of communication, assess the uses of modern communication technology, and discuss the importance of intellectual property, privacy, and security in today's digital age.
Defining Communication
Communication can be categorized into three main types: oral, written, and unspoken (body language) communication.
Communication can be categorized into three main types: oral, written, and unspoken (body language) communication.
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Oral Communication involves the spoken word and is often immediate and interactive. It includes conversations, speeches, and discussions. This type of communication allows for instant feedback and clarification, making it effective in both personal and professional settings. For instance, verbal communication is crucial during meetings where ideas are exchanged and decisions are made.
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Written Communication encompasses any form of communication that involves writing. This can include emails, reports, books, and social media posts. Written communication is essential for documenting information and providing a reference for future use. Unlike oral communication, it allows individuals to carefully consider their words before sharing, which can enhance clarity and precision
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Unspoken Communication, or body language, refers to the non-verbal signals that people use to convey meaning. This includes facial expressions, gestures, posture, and eye contact. Research has shown that a significant portion of communication is non-verbal, with some studies suggesting that as much as 93% of communication is conveyed through body language and tone of voice. Understanding body language is crucial for interpreting the true intentions behind spoken or written words.
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Assess The Different Uses Of Today's Communication Technology
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Today’s communication technology is used to share information quickly and efficiently in schools, workplaces, homes, and communities. Tools such as email, text messaging, video conferencing, shared documents, learning platforms, and social media allow people to communicate almost instantly, even when they are not in the same location. One major pro is speed: teachers can post assignments, businesses can send updates, and families can stay in contact in real time. Another benefit is convenience because people can communicate from phones, laptops, or tablets at almost any time. However, a con is that constant access can create pressure to respond immediately, which may lead to stress, distraction, or poor work-life balance.
Communication technology is also important for building relationships and staying connected. Video calls, group chats, social media, and online communities allow people to maintain friendships, communicate with relatives, and participate in groups even when distance is an issue. A major pro is that these tools help people feel connected and informed. Businesses also use social media and websites to communicate with customers, advertise products, answer questions, and build their brand. However, a major con is that screen communication through phones, tablets, emails, and messaging can feel more impersonal than having a face-to-face conversation. When people communicate through a screen, they may miss important parts of communication such as facial expressions, tone of voice, eye contact, body language, and natural emotion. Because of this, messages can seem cold, rushed, or misunderstood, even when that was not the sender’s intention.
Another major use of communication technology is collaboration. Platforms such as Google Docs, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, and project management tools allow students and employees to work together on projects in real time. A clear pro is that people can share ideas, edit documents, hold meetings, and solve problems without being physically together. This can save time, reduce travel, and make teamwork more flexible. However, a con is that online collaboration can sometimes reduce the personal connection that happens when people work together in person. In a face-to-face setting, people can read each other’s reactions, build trust more naturally, and have conversations that feel more human. Through screens, collaboration may become more task-focused and less personal, which can make teamwork feel less engaging.
Communication technology is also used to access and spread information. News websites, podcasts, online videos, blogs, and social media platforms help people learn about current events, trends, educational topics, and career opportunities. A major pro is that people can access a wide range of information quickly and often for free. This supports learning, research, and informed decision-making. However, a serious con is the spread of misinformation. Not everything online is accurate, and false information can spread quickly. People must learn to evaluate sources, check facts, and think critically before trusting or sharing information.
Finally, today’s communication technology has changed professional and personal communication expectations. It allows for faster decision-making, remote work, online learning, digital marketing, and global communication. These are major pros because they create new opportunities for education, business, and social connection. At the same time, there are important cons, including privacy concerns, the spread of misinformation, cyberbullying, scams, hacking, overuse of technology, and a decline in meaningful face-to-face interaction. Overall, communication technology is powerful and useful, but it should not completely replace in-person communication. People need to communicate clearly, protect their privacy, respect others online, and remember that face-to-face conversations often create stronger, more personal connections than messages sent through a screen.
Communication technology is also important for building relationships and staying connected. Video calls, group chats, social media, and online communities allow people to maintain friendships, communicate with relatives, and participate in groups even when distance is an issue. A major pro is that these tools help people feel connected and informed. Businesses also use social media and websites to communicate with customers, advertise products, answer questions, and build their brand. However, a major con is that screen communication through phones, tablets, emails, and messaging can feel more impersonal than having a face-to-face conversation. When people communicate through a screen, they may miss important parts of communication such as facial expressions, tone of voice, eye contact, body language, and natural emotion. Because of this, messages can seem cold, rushed, or misunderstood, even when that was not the sender’s intention.
Another major use of communication technology is collaboration. Platforms such as Google Docs, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, and project management tools allow students and employees to work together on projects in real time. A clear pro is that people can share ideas, edit documents, hold meetings, and solve problems without being physically together. This can save time, reduce travel, and make teamwork more flexible. However, a con is that online collaboration can sometimes reduce the personal connection that happens when people work together in person. In a face-to-face setting, people can read each other’s reactions, build trust more naturally, and have conversations that feel more human. Through screens, collaboration may become more task-focused and less personal, which can make teamwork feel less engaging.
Communication technology is also used to access and spread information. News websites, podcasts, online videos, blogs, and social media platforms help people learn about current events, trends, educational topics, and career opportunities. A major pro is that people can access a wide range of information quickly and often for free. This supports learning, research, and informed decision-making. However, a serious con is the spread of misinformation. Not everything online is accurate, and false information can spread quickly. People must learn to evaluate sources, check facts, and think critically before trusting or sharing information.
Finally, today’s communication technology has changed professional and personal communication expectations. It allows for faster decision-making, remote work, online learning, digital marketing, and global communication. These are major pros because they create new opportunities for education, business, and social connection. At the same time, there are important cons, including privacy concerns, the spread of misinformation, cyberbullying, scams, hacking, overuse of technology, and a decline in meaningful face-to-face interaction. Overall, communication technology is powerful and useful, but it should not completely replace in-person communication. People need to communicate clearly, protect their privacy, respect others online, and remember that face-to-face conversations often create stronger, more personal connections than messages sent through a screen.
Respecting Intellectual Property and Privacy
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Respect for intellectual property, personal privacy, and information security is an important part of being an ethical and responsible digital citizen. Respecting intellectual property means giving credit to the people who created ideas, writing, music, images, videos, designs, software, or other original work. Students and professionals can show this respect by citing sources, using quotation marks for exact words, paraphrasing properly, and avoiding plagiarism. They should also ask permission before using someone else’s work when required and follow copyright, trademark, and licensing rules. For example, using a photo from the internet in a presentation without credit may violate intellectual property rights, while citing the photographer or using royalty-free images shows responsibility and respect.
Respect for personal privacy means protecting information about yourself and others. People should not share someone’s phone number, address, photos, passwords, location, private messages, or personal details without permission. In school and work settings, this means being careful with student records, customer information, medical information, financial information, and private conversations. A respectful digital citizen thinks before posting, avoids gossip or sharing screenshots of private conversations, and understands that once information is shared online, it can be difficult to fully remove.
Information security means keeping digital information safe from unauthorized access, misuse, or theft. People can demonstrate good security habits by using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, logging out of shared devices, avoiding suspicious links, and not sharing passwords with friends or classmates. They should also be careful when downloading files, using public Wi-Fi, or entering personal information on websites. In a business or school, information security protects not only one person, but the entire organization from hacking, scams, identity theft, and data loss.
New technology has created many benefits, but it has also made identity theft easier and more dangerous. Because people now shop online, use digital banking, store personal information in apps, and communicate through phones, computers, and social media, criminals have more opportunities to steal private information. Identity theft can happen when someone steals another person’s name, address, Social Security number, passwords, banking information, credit card numbers, or login credentials and uses them without permission. Scammers may use fake emails, text messages, websites, phone calls, or social media messages to trick people into giving away private information. This is called phishing. Criminals may also use hacked accounts, data breaches, malware, or fake online profiles to collect information and pretend to be someone else. Identity theft can damage a person’s credit, finances, reputation, and sense of security, which is why privacy protection and information security are more important than ever.
Cheating through AI in schools is another important issue connected to intellectual property, ethics, and academic honesty. AI tools can be helpful when used properly, such as for brainstorming ideas, explaining difficult topics, reviewing grammar, or helping students study. However, it becomes cheating when students use AI to complete assignments, write essays, answer test questions, or create projects and then submit that work as if it were entirely their own. This is dishonest because the student is taking credit for work they did not fully produce, and the teacher cannot accurately measure what the student actually understands.
To use AI responsibly, students should follow their teacher’s rules, be honest about when AI was used, and make sure their final work reflects their own thinking and learning. A responsible student might use AI to get feedback on a draft, but then revise the work in their own words and cite or disclose AI assistance if required. Schools should also teach students that AI is a tool, not a replacement for effort, creativity, or original thought. Using AI to help understand a topic may be acceptable if the teacher allows it, but using AI to secretly complete an assignment and pretending it is your own work violates academic integrity because the student is not showing their own knowledge, effort, or skill.
Ethics means knowing the difference between right and wrong and making responsible choices even when no one is watching. Ethically, people should be honest about where information comes from, protect private information, secure digital accounts, and avoid using technology in ways that harm others or give themselves an unfair advantage. Demonstrating respect in the digital world means being honest, protecting privacy, securing information, and giving proper credit to people and tools that contribute to your work.
There can also be serious consequences when someone gets caught violating intellectual property rules, personal privacy, information security, or school AI policies. In school, consequences may include receiving a zero on the assignment, losing points, having to redo the work, parent or guardian contact, detention, suspension, or a disciplinary record. In more serious cases, cheating or plagiarism can affect eligibility for honors, clubs, scholarships, college recommendations, or future opportunities. Outside of school, privacy violations, copyright infringement, hacking, identity theft, or misuse of confidential information can lead to job loss, lawsuits, fines, damaged credit, financial loss, or even criminal charges. These consequences show why ethical technology use is important: people must be responsible, honest, and respectful when using digital tools, information, and AI.
Respect for personal privacy means protecting information about yourself and others. People should not share someone’s phone number, address, photos, passwords, location, private messages, or personal details without permission. In school and work settings, this means being careful with student records, customer information, medical information, financial information, and private conversations. A respectful digital citizen thinks before posting, avoids gossip or sharing screenshots of private conversations, and understands that once information is shared online, it can be difficult to fully remove.
Information security means keeping digital information safe from unauthorized access, misuse, or theft. People can demonstrate good security habits by using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, logging out of shared devices, avoiding suspicious links, and not sharing passwords with friends or classmates. They should also be careful when downloading files, using public Wi-Fi, or entering personal information on websites. In a business or school, information security protects not only one person, but the entire organization from hacking, scams, identity theft, and data loss.
New technology has created many benefits, but it has also made identity theft easier and more dangerous. Because people now shop online, use digital banking, store personal information in apps, and communicate through phones, computers, and social media, criminals have more opportunities to steal private information. Identity theft can happen when someone steals another person’s name, address, Social Security number, passwords, banking information, credit card numbers, or login credentials and uses them without permission. Scammers may use fake emails, text messages, websites, phone calls, or social media messages to trick people into giving away private information. This is called phishing. Criminals may also use hacked accounts, data breaches, malware, or fake online profiles to collect information and pretend to be someone else. Identity theft can damage a person’s credit, finances, reputation, and sense of security, which is why privacy protection and information security are more important than ever.
Cheating through AI in schools is another important issue connected to intellectual property, ethics, and academic honesty. AI tools can be helpful when used properly, such as for brainstorming ideas, explaining difficult topics, reviewing grammar, or helping students study. However, it becomes cheating when students use AI to complete assignments, write essays, answer test questions, or create projects and then submit that work as if it were entirely their own. This is dishonest because the student is taking credit for work they did not fully produce, and the teacher cannot accurately measure what the student actually understands.
To use AI responsibly, students should follow their teacher’s rules, be honest about when AI was used, and make sure their final work reflects their own thinking and learning. A responsible student might use AI to get feedback on a draft, but then revise the work in their own words and cite or disclose AI assistance if required. Schools should also teach students that AI is a tool, not a replacement for effort, creativity, or original thought. Using AI to help understand a topic may be acceptable if the teacher allows it, but using AI to secretly complete an assignment and pretending it is your own work violates academic integrity because the student is not showing their own knowledge, effort, or skill.
Ethics means knowing the difference between right and wrong and making responsible choices even when no one is watching. Ethically, people should be honest about where information comes from, protect private information, secure digital accounts, and avoid using technology in ways that harm others or give themselves an unfair advantage. Demonstrating respect in the digital world means being honest, protecting privacy, securing information, and giving proper credit to people and tools that contribute to your work.
There can also be serious consequences when someone gets caught violating intellectual property rules, personal privacy, information security, or school AI policies. In school, consequences may include receiving a zero on the assignment, losing points, having to redo the work, parent or guardian contact, detention, suspension, or a disciplinary record. In more serious cases, cheating or plagiarism can affect eligibility for honors, clubs, scholarships, college recommendations, or future opportunities. Outside of school, privacy violations, copyright infringement, hacking, identity theft, or misuse of confidential information can lead to job loss, lawsuits, fines, damaged credit, financial loss, or even criminal charges. These consequences show why ethical technology use is important: people must be responsible, honest, and respectful when using digital tools, information, and AI.
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Respecting Intellectual Property and Privacy
In an age where information is readily available, it is essential to demonstrate respect for intellectual property and personal privacy. Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions, artistic works, and symbols. Here are ways to respect intellectual property:
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Maintain Your Identity Security & Develop Your Skills To Avoid Identity Theft
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Identity theft happens when someone uses another person’s personal information without permission, often to steal money, open accounts, make purchases, or pretend to be that person online. For high school students, identity theft may not seem like a serious risk, but teenagers often use phones, school accounts, social media, gaming platforms, and online stores every day. Each of these places can expose personal information if students are not careful. Learning how to avoid identity theft and maintain identity security is an important life skill because a person’s identity can affect their money, reputation, school records, and future opportunities.
One of the most important ways to avoid identity theft is to protect personal information. Students should be careful about sharing their full name, address, phone number, birthday, school name, passwords, Social Security number, or banking information online. Even small details can help an identity thief guess passwords or answer security questions. For example, posting a birthday, pet’s name, favorite team, or vacation location may seem harmless, but criminals can use those details to break into accounts. A good rule is to only share personal information when it is truly necessary and only on trusted websites.
Another key skill is learning how to recognize scams. Identity thieves often use phishing emails, fake text messages, phone calls, or direct messages to trick people into giving away private information. These messages may say that an account will be locked, a prize has been won, a package needs confirmation, or a payment has failed. Many scams create urgency because they want people to panic and act quickly. Students should slow down, check the sender, avoid clicking suspicious links, and never enter passwords through links in unexpected messages. When unsure, they should go directly to the official website or ask a trusted adult for help.
Strong passwords are also essential for identity security. A weak password, such as a name, birthday, or simple word, can be easy for someone to guess. Students should create passwords that are long, unique, and difficult to predict. A strong password might include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, or it might be a passphrase made from several unrelated words. Students should not use the same password for every account because if one account is hacked, the others may become vulnerable too. Password managers and two-factor authentication can also add extra protection.
Social media habits play a major role in protecting identity. Many students share photos, locations, personal updates, and opinions online, but oversharing can create risks. Posting a school schedule, home address, travel plans, or private family information can make it easier for someone to misuse that information. Students should check privacy settings, limit who can see their posts, and think carefully before accepting friend requests or followers from people they do not know. Maintaining identity security means understanding that once information is online, it can be copied, saved, or shared by others.
Students should also protect their devices because phones, laptops, and tablets often contain personal information. Devices should have passcodes, fingerprint locks, or face recognition turned on. Software and apps should be updated regularly because updates often fix security problems. Students should avoid downloading unknown apps, opening strange attachments, or using public Wi-Fi for private activities such as banking or entering passwords. If a device is lost or stolen, having security settings in place can prevent someone else from accessing personal accounts.
Overall, avoiding identity theft and maintaining identity security requires awareness, caution, and smart digital habits. High school students can protect themselves by guarding personal information, recognizing scams, using strong passwords, limiting what they share online, and securing their devices. These habits may seem small, but they can prevent serious problems in the future. Identity security is not just about technology; it is about responsibility. By learning these skills now, students can become safer, more confident, and more responsible digital citizens.
One of the most important ways to avoid identity theft is to protect personal information. Students should be careful about sharing their full name, address, phone number, birthday, school name, passwords, Social Security number, or banking information online. Even small details can help an identity thief guess passwords or answer security questions. For example, posting a birthday, pet’s name, favorite team, or vacation location may seem harmless, but criminals can use those details to break into accounts. A good rule is to only share personal information when it is truly necessary and only on trusted websites.
Another key skill is learning how to recognize scams. Identity thieves often use phishing emails, fake text messages, phone calls, or direct messages to trick people into giving away private information. These messages may say that an account will be locked, a prize has been won, a package needs confirmation, or a payment has failed. Many scams create urgency because they want people to panic and act quickly. Students should slow down, check the sender, avoid clicking suspicious links, and never enter passwords through links in unexpected messages. When unsure, they should go directly to the official website or ask a trusted adult for help.
Strong passwords are also essential for identity security. A weak password, such as a name, birthday, or simple word, can be easy for someone to guess. Students should create passwords that are long, unique, and difficult to predict. A strong password might include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, or it might be a passphrase made from several unrelated words. Students should not use the same password for every account because if one account is hacked, the others may become vulnerable too. Password managers and two-factor authentication can also add extra protection.
Social media habits play a major role in protecting identity. Many students share photos, locations, personal updates, and opinions online, but oversharing can create risks. Posting a school schedule, home address, travel plans, or private family information can make it easier for someone to misuse that information. Students should check privacy settings, limit who can see their posts, and think carefully before accepting friend requests or followers from people they do not know. Maintaining identity security means understanding that once information is online, it can be copied, saved, or shared by others.
Students should also protect their devices because phones, laptops, and tablets often contain personal information. Devices should have passcodes, fingerprint locks, or face recognition turned on. Software and apps should be updated regularly because updates often fix security problems. Students should avoid downloading unknown apps, opening strange attachments, or using public Wi-Fi for private activities such as banking or entering passwords. If a device is lost or stolen, having security settings in place can prevent someone else from accessing personal accounts.
Overall, avoiding identity theft and maintaining identity security requires awareness, caution, and smart digital habits. High school students can protect themselves by guarding personal information, recognizing scams, using strong passwords, limiting what they share online, and securing their devices. These habits may seem small, but they can prevent serious problems in the future. Identity security is not just about technology; it is about responsibility. By learning these skills now, students can become safer, more confident, and more responsible digital citizens.
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Identity Theft and Security
Identity theft is a growing concern in the digital age. It occurs when someone uses another person's personal information, such as Social Security numbers or bank details, without permission. To avoid identity theft, individuals should:
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Higher Level Question:
How can communication technology create both stronger connections and greater risks in society, and what responsibilities do individuals and businesses have when using these tools?