☰ Year plan · Communication Technology

Live and later communication

Week 22 · Theme 3, Lesson 8 Choosing Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication · 3 lessons
2

Which way fits this situation?

ICT P5 Term 2, Theme 3: pp. 38–41
GoalChoose live or later communication for four everyday situations and give reasons.
New words
situation · a particular time and case in which you must decide somethingurgent · needing an answer very soonauthority · a person who leads or is in charge, such as a principalcomplicated · having many parts and hard to explain quickly
Explanation

To choose between live and later, ask three questions. First: how serious or complicated is it? Serious and complicated things need time and clear words, so choose later. Second: how fast do I need an answer? If it is urgent and simple, choose live. Third: who am I writing to? With a person in authority, or someone I do not know well, a later message is more polite. Use the questions in order. For example, telling a friend about your day is light and not urgent, so a live chat is fine. Asking a teacher for extra help is a polite request to a person in authority, so a later message such as an e-mail is better.

StartSerious, complicated, or to someone in authority?yesnoChoose later (e-mail)Need a quick answer?yesnoChoose live (chat)Either way worksEnd
Worked examples
my daylive chat
Situation: tell a close friend about your day. It is light and not urgent, so a live chat or a voice message is fine. Friends can chat freely.
a problemcalm message
Situation: ask an aunt’s opinion on a problem with a friend. It may be sensitive and complicated, so Nour writes a calm message, and her aunt answers after thinking. Later works well.
Youssef1 minutequick chat
Situation: quick question to a classmate: ‘Did you bring the glue?’ Youssef needs the answer in a minute, so he sends a quick chat message. Live is best for quick questions.
Class activity

Four situations, four choices. Write on paper the best way (live or later), the tool and one reason for each: 1. Telling a friend about your day. 2. Asking a relative’s opinion about a problem. 3. Asking a teacher for extra help. 4. A quick question about a project to a classmate. Then compare with a partner. If you chose differently, listen to the reason; sometimes more than one answer is good. Finally, draw your own three-question flow like the one in this lesson.

Practice
1
Which kind of communication suits a quick, simple question?
2
Which kind suits a serious request to a teacher?
3
Name the three questions that help you choose.
4
Can two people sometimes choose different but good answers? Why?