ICT Grade 7: Media Use and Digital Balance Study Guide

Course Overview and Introduction

• Subject: ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
• Date: April Week $2$ ($2026$)
• Mission Statement: "Learn Like a GEM" / Gems LEGACY SCHOOL.
• Core Philosophy: "We find balance in our digital lives."

Do Now: Preliminary Assessment

In this introductory exercise, students were asked to evaluate their current understanding of media and its impacts.

• Question $1$: Which of the following is an example of media use?
  • A. Reading a printed book quietly
  • B. Watching a video on YouTube using a smartphone (Correct Answer)
  • C. Playing football with friends in the park
  • D. Writing homework in a notebook
• Question $2$: Spending more time on devices always has a positive effect. (True / False)
  • Answer: False. Excessive device use can have negative consequences on health and balance.
• Question $3$: Media includes only social media apps. (True / False)
  • Answer: False. Media encompasses a wide range of platforms, devices, and content types.

Quick Ranking Task

Students are required to rank the following activities from MOST useful to LEAST useful based on their personal perspective and educational priorities:

• a) Watching videos
• b) Playing games
• c) Studying online
• d) Talking to family

Learning Outcomes

By the conclusion of this lesson, students will be able to understand the concept of media balance and identify effective methods for managing media use.

• To Know:
  • The definition of media balance.
  • The components and purpose of an inventory of media use.
  • The process for creating personal guidelines for healthy media consumption.

Key Technical Vocabulary

• Inventory: A complete list of items or actions. In the context of ICT, this refers to tracking all media activities.
• Media Balance: Using media in a way that feels healthy and is kept in balance with other vital life activities, including interactions with family and friends, school responsibilities, and physical hobbies.
• Guideline: A set of criteria or pieces of advice for how to perform an action.
  • Example $1$: Ahmed says, "No screens during dinner time."
  • Example $2$: It is recommended to limit screen time before bed to improve sleep quality.

The Framework of a Media Inventory

An inventory helps an individual track their digital footprint by answering three core questions: What? When? How much?

• What? (Content & Devices):
  • What media are you consuming or creating? (e.g., watching a movie, searching YouTube videos, playing online games).
  • What specific devices are being used for these tasks?
• When? (Context & Timing):
  • What day of the week is it?
  • What time of day is it?
  • What else is happening during this time? (e.g., is it during dinner, or immediately after waking up in the morning?).
• How Much? (Duration & Frequency):
  • How long did you spend consuming or creating the media? (e.g., $30\text{ minutes}$, $2\text{ hours}$).
  • How often do you consume this specific media?

Visual Analysis: Center for Humane Technology

Students are prompted to observe and analyze a graphic sourced from the Center for Humane Technology ($2018$). This analysis focuses on identifying patterns in digital consumption and identifying what stands out in data visualizations regarding tech usage.

Strategies for Achieving Media Balance

To ensure a healthy balance in daily life, the following guidelines are recommended:

• Set Time Limits: Establish strict durations for how long a device can be used.
• Practice Mindful Consumption: Be aware of why you are using media and what you are gaining from it.
• Use Apps for Monitoring: Utilize digital well-being tools to track time spent on various applications.
• Engage in Other Activities: Prioritize non-digital hobbies like sports or reading.
• Create Tech-Free Zones: Designate specific areas, such as the dining room or bedroom, where devices are prohibited.
• Prioritize Sleep: Ensure that media use does not interfere with the necessary rest cycle.

Modeling Media Analysis: "We Do"

A practical example of checking media use involves listing specific habits and determining if they are balanced.

• The Log:
  • What: WhatsApp, YouTube.
  • When: Night time.
  • How much: $2\text{ hours}$.
• The Analysis: This is considered unbalanced because using media for $2\text{ hours}$ at night negatively affects sleep quality.
• The Corrective Rule: "No phone after $10\text{ pm}$."

Scenarios and Affirmative Checking

This exercise distinguishes between a "Guideline" and "Media Balance" through different scenarios:

• Scenario $1$: Ali decides to use his phone only after finishing homework.
  • Category: Guideline.
• Scenario $2$: Sara uses her tablet for $1\text{ hour}$ and then spends time playing outside.
  • Category: Media Balance.
• Scenario $3$: Mariam plays games for $5\text{ hours}$ but says she enjoys it.
  • Category: Neither (This is classified as Unbalanced use).
• Scenario $4$: Omar creates a rule and follows it daily.
  • Category: Both (This represents a Guideline leading to Media Balance).

Practical Activity and Assessment

• Activity - My Media Choice Inventory: Students must complete a personal inventory by visiting https://tinyurl.com/Grade7-mymedia-choice. They are to answer:
  1. What media did you use?
  2. When did you use it?
  3. How much time did you spend?
  4. How did you feel?
• Exit Ticket: A lesson quiz titled "Grade $7$ - My Media Use: A Personal Challenge" (April-$2026$) is accessible via the Microsoft Forms link: https://forms.office.com/r/EyGuHs5ZxZ.

Classroom Interaction Rules (Cold Call)

During discussions and the "Cold Call" portion of the lesson, the following rules apply:

• a) No Hand raise emoji.
• b) No unmuting without permission.
• c) No speaking out of turn.
• d) Think and be ready to answer quickly.