Communication : Means and Types
Subject : Social Studies
Topic : Communication
Class : Primary 4
Term : Third Term
Week : Week 3
Previous Knowledge : Pupils have previous knowledge of.
. Wages and income distribution
that have been taught in their former lessons and classes
Behavioural Objectives : At the end of the lesson , pupils should be able to
1 say the meaning of communication
2 say the media of communication
3. mention at least two examples of traditional means of communication.
4. mention at least two examples of modern means of communication.
5. list at least five differences between traditional and modern ways of communication
6 explain at least two ways of solving those problems.
Methods Of Teaching
- Discussion
- Explanation
- Dramatization
- Dialogue
- Story telling
- Questions and Answers
- Role Modelling
Instructional Materials
- Wall Charts
- Pictures
- Online materials
- Textbooks
- Scheme of work
- Workbooks
Content
MEANING OF COMMUNICATION
Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages or information.
Communication is the process of sending information, ideas, thoughts and opinions from one source or person to another person or source through a medium with expected feedback.
Messages, thought, ideas, opinion or information may be in the form of ideas, news and feelings, sent from
one person to another, and from one place to another.
For communication to take place, there must be a sender and a receiver of the
message. The different ways in which messages are sent and received are called
means or systems of communication.
Sender of information → Channel or means → Receiver of information
of communication.- expected feedback
. Traditional means of communication
Traditional means of communication are the means of communication used in
the olden days or in traditional societies. Our forefathers had traditional means of
communicating with each other before the introduction of modern systems.
The traditional means of communication include:
1 The gong: Using the sound of the gong to draw people’s attention, in order
to give them some important information. The Igbo are an example of those
who use the gong.
2 The talking drum: The use of the talking drum is common among the Yoruba.
The talking drum is beaten by a professional drummer. The sounds produced
from this drum form different words, giving information.
3 Town crier: The town criers are messengers sent to deliver messages to people
inside and outside the community. A town crier also usually beats the gong to
attract attention before delivering his message.
4 By using sounds and signs: People can communicate with others this way.
A person may shout in a particular way to inform others that he is in danger, or
needs help. A person may also sigh to show that he or she is worried or fed up
with something.
People carry certain marks on their faces to show what tribe they belong to,
or what title they hold in the community. Certain leaves may be put in front of
a person’s compound, or on the gate of his house, to indicate that nobody
should enter the place.
5 Other traditional means of communication include smoke signals and the
sound from horns, bells and flute.
Modern means of communication
Modern means of communication are more complex and sophisticated than the
traditional means. They include:
1 Printed information: These are ideas, words, and feelings printed or written
down in books, magazines, newspapers, leaflets, bulletins, billboards, letters
and handbills. A lot of people get information by reading printed matters like
books, newspapers and magazines.
A town crier delivering a message
2 Telephone (Telecommunication): Most towns and villages in Nigeria have
telephone services. With the introduction of the global system of mobile telecommunication
(GSM), Nigerians can send and receive information and new
ideas over long distances by their cell phones. The cell phones give greater
range of options such as voice call, text messages, and access to the internet.
Some of the GSM providers in Nigeria are Globacom, Airtel, Etisalat and MTN.
3 Radio: Information such as news and other important messages can be sent
and received through the radio.
4 Fax, email and the Internet: These are the most modern means of sending
and receiving information. The telephone and fax machines are both used in
sending letters and messages from one place to another. The computer, cell
phone and ipad are used in the case of e-mail and the Internet.
In the case of the Internet, millions of computer users around the world can
send information and messages and receive such information at the same
time. Messages are also sent through the facebook and twitter on personal
(mobile) phones today.
The internet is fast, cheap and easy to use. The internet is also used to call.
The skype, facebook and other social media are developed for this purpose.
5 Television: This is also used to send news, advertisements and other messages
to many people at the same time.
6 Satellite systems: People can watch or listen to live events such as football
matches, local and international news, beauty competitions and religious
programmes via the satellite system. The satelllite uses a dish or antenna and
a decoder to transmit information to the television and radio set.
Differences between traditional and modern means
of communication
The following are some of the differences between traditional and modern means
of communication.
1 The traditional systems use more of natural and local materials for
communication, (e.g., gongs and drums) while the modern systems use complex
and sophisticated systems such as machines.
2 The traditional systems are simple and easy to use, while the modern systems
are more difficult to use.
3 The traditional systems are very slow in sending messages, while the modern
systems send messages faster.
4 The traditional systems cost little or nothing, while the modern systems cost a
lot of money.
5 The traditional systems can reach only a few people at the same time with the
same message but the modern systems can reach millions of people at the
same time with the same message.
6 The traditional systems cannot preserve the messages and reproduce them if
necessary, but the modern systems can preserve the messages and
reproduce them or present them all over again after a period of time.
7 The traditional systems cannot carry messages to far distances, but the
modern systems can carry messages to far distances.
Problems of communication
1 Modern communication systems are expensive to get. Maintaining the
communication equipment is also expensive.
2 Sometimes our telephone systems offer poor services. This is because the
telephone networks are sometimes bad.
3 Some of our communication systems transmit negative practices and alien
cultures which tend to influence our people especially youths negatively.
4 Some of our communication systems, like the computer and the fax machine,
the internet and cell phones such as the androids are very complicated and
sophisticated and cannot be used by everybody.
5 Sometimes people cannot use some modern communication equipment
because of poor electricity supply.
6 Some people defraud others through the Internet.
SOLUTIONS
1 Government should make laws against poor services rendered by telecommunication
service providers.
2 Government should set up a body or an effective organisation to monitor and
control the quality, nature and content of programmes and films transmitted
by television and satellite operators. This is to prevent the transmission of
negative practices and other social vices.
3 Government should encourage the production of locally made telecommunication
gadgets, in order to make communication more affordable,
and easier to use.
4 Telecommunication service providers should make their services very effective
Presentation
The topic is presented step by step
Step 1 : He revises the previous topics
Step 2 : The class teacher introduces the new topic
Step 3 : The class teacher allows the pupils to give their own contributions and he or she corrects them when the needs arise
Evaluation
Assessment & Evaluation:
1 define communication.
2 mention at least two examples of traditional means of communication.
3 mention at least two examples of modern means of communication.
4 list at least five differences between traditional and modern ways of
communication.
5 mention at least five problems of communication in Nigeria.
6 explain at least two ways of solving those problems.
Exercise
A Choose the best answers for the following questions.
1 The process of sending and receiving messages or information is known as
_____________.
A transportation B communication C text messaging
2 For communication to take place there must be __________________________.
A a sender and a communicator B a receiver and a channel
C a sender and a receiver
3 The person that starts the communication is called ___________________.
A a sender B a receiver C a channel
4 The means of communication is also known as ________________.
A sender B receiver C channel
5 The use of talking drum is a _____________ means of communication.
A modern B traditional C faster
6 The systems of communication used by our forefathers is ____________ means.
A modern B traditional C electronic
7 Messengers that are sent to deliver information to people inside and outside
the community are called ____________________.
A town criers B clerks C information officers
Conclusion
The class teacher gives out a short note and he or she goes round to do the necessary marking .
Assignment
Please kindly prepare for the next lesson by reading about
Types of Accident