Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATION S
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATION S
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Ict
Class: SHS 1
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 15
Grade code: 2.1.3.LI.2
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 2.1.3.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.1.3.LI.2
Theme: ICTs IN THE SOCIETY
Subtheme: EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATION S
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.
In our daily lives, we visit many websites—from checking news on MyJoyOnline.com, viewing our BECE results on the WAEC portal, to watching videos on YouTube or shopping on Jumia. These websites are not just made of text; they are rich with images, sounds, and videos that make them engaging and useful. This lesson will break down the building blocks of modern websites. By understanding these multimedia elements, you will become a more critical consumer of online information and gain foundational knowledge for potentially creating your own web content in the future. Understanding how websites are constructed helps us identify reliable information and appreciate the technology we use every day.
Introduction: What is a Website and What is Multimedia? 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 each page is a webpage. Multimedia is the use of a combination of different content forms such as text, audio, images, animations, video, and interactive content. Websites use multimedia to communicate information more effectively and make the user's experience more interesting.
Let's explore the key multimedia components: A. Graphics Definition: Graphics are visual images or designs on a screen. They are any non-text visual element. Common file types include JPEG (.jpg), PNG (.png), and GIF (.gif). Purpose and Function: Attract Attention: A colourful banner or logo is the first thing a visitor often notices. Illustrate Concepts: A diagram can explain a scientific process much better than a long paragraph of text. Convey Emotion: A photograph of a smiling person can create a feeling of happiness and trust. Product Display: E-commerce sites use high-quality photos to show what they are selling. Branding: A company's logo is a graphic that helps people recognise the brand instantly. Ghanaian Context & Examples: MyJoyOnline.com: Uses photographs (graphics) next to news headlines to show what the story is about and attract clicks. University of Ghana Website (ug.edu.gh): The university's crest (logo) is a key graphic for branding. They also use photos of the campus and students to create a welcoming feel. Jumia Ghana: The entire website is built around graphics of products (phones, dresses, food items) to allow customers to see what they are buying. B. Audio Definition: Audio is sound content, such as music, speech, or sound effects, embedded on a webpage. It can be streamed live or played from a file (e.g., .mp3, .wav). Purpose and Function: Background Music: To set a mood or atmosphere on a site. Narration/Podcasts: To provide information for those who prefer listening to reading, or for accessibility for visually impaired users. News Reports: Radio stations often put audio clips of their news broadcasts online. Pronunciation Guides: Educational or dictionary websites use audio to teach how to pronounce words correctly. Ghanaian Context & Examples: Peacefmonline.com: Has a "Listen Live" feature which streams the Peace FM radio broadcast directly from the website. This is an example of streaming audio. Citi FM's Website: Often features podcasts (recorded audio shows) of their popular programs like the "Citi Breakfast Show" for people who missed the live broadcast. C. Videos Definition: Videos are moving pictures, usually with sound, that can be played on a website. They are one of the most engaging forms of content. Purpose and Function: Demonstrations: A "how-to" video can show how to cook a Ghanaian dish like Jollof rice or how to repair a device. Advertisements: Companies use short, engaging videos to advertise their products or services. News and Entertainment: News websites show video clips of events. Entertainment blogs embed music videos. Virtual Tours: A real estate company can use a video to give a tour of a house for sale. Ghanaian Context & Examples: Ghana Tourism Authority Website: Uses captivating videos of tourist sites like Kakum National Park or Mole National Park to attract tourists. Kofi TV (on YouTube, but embedded in many blogs): Uses videos for interviews and documentaries, which are then shared on various websites. School Websites: A school like PRESEC-Legon might have a video on its homepage showing student life, facilities, and special events like Speech Day. D. Plug-ins Definition: A plug-in is a small piece of software that adds a specific feature or functionality to a website. The website owner doesn't have to build the feature from scratch; they just "plug in" the existing software. Purpose and Function: To Extend Capabilities: They allow a website to do things it couldn't do otherwise. Interactivity: To add features like contact forms, social media feeds, or interactive maps. Media Playback: In the past, plug-ins like Adobe Flash Player were needed to play videos or animations (this is less common now as browsers have this built-in). Modern Examples & Ghanaian Context: Live Chat: The small "Chat with us" box that pops up on many business websites (e.g., a bank's website like GCB Bank) is often a plug-in. Social Media Feeds: A school's website might have a plug-in that automatically displays its latest Facebook or Twitter posts directly on the homepage. Payment Gateways: When you buy something on a Ghanaian online store and pay with Mobile Money or a bank card, the payment system (e.g., Paystack, Flutterwave) is integrated using a plug-in. PDF Viewer: A plug-in that allows you to read a PDF document, like a school's admission form, directly in your browser without needing to download it.
Guided Practice (With Solutions) Question 1: Identification Imagine you are visiting the official website for the Black Stars. List one example for each of the following multimedia types that you would expect to find on the site. A) Graphic: B) Audio: C) Video: D) Plug-in:
Solution and Commentary: A) Graphic: The official logo of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) or a team photo of the Black Stars players. *Commentary:* This is a static visual element used for branding and identification. B) Audio: An audio recording of the Ghana national anthem or a post-match interview with the coach. *Commentary:* This adds an emotional or informational sound dimension to the site. C) Video: Video highlights of the last match played, showing goals and key moments. *Commentary:* Video is the best way to show action and engage fans who want to relive the game. D) Plug-in: A live feed of the GFA's official Twitter account, showing real-time updates on the homepage. *Commentary:* This plug-in adds dynamic, up-to-the-minute content to the site without the webmaster having to manually update it every few minutes. Question 2: Explaining Purpose A popular Ghanaian food blogger decides to create a website for her recipes. Why would she choose to include a video showing how to prepare `waakye`, instead of just writing the recipe in text?