Does more technology mean more communication?

You are going to

• discuss technology and communication
• listen to a short radio program about technology and communication
• do a sentence ordering exercise
• discuss, plan and write an IELTS style argument essay on the question
• practise some information and communication technology (ICT) vocabulary with a crossword

1) Discuss

• What kinds of technology do we communicate with?
• Is it easier to communicate now than 50 years ago? Why?
• How has technology affected communication and relationships?
• What are the good and bad things about modern forms of communicating?
• Do you use social network sites? Do you agree with any of the comments below?

2) Listen

You are going to listen to Rory Cellan-Jones, the technology correspondent of the BBC. He is going to find out whether more technology means more or better communication.
Look at these questions.

• What examples of information and communications technology (ICT) does he give?
• What disadvantages are mentioned?
• What advantages are given?
• What do you think is the Rory's opinion?

 

http://audioboo.fm/boos/605372-does-more-tech-more-communication-from-bbcr4today




3) Read
Look at the sentences below. You are going to put them in the right order to make a written summary of the program but before you do...
Read quickly and answer.

• Which sentence makes the best introduction? Why?
• Which sentence makes the best conclusion? Why?
• Which sentences can be seen as disadvantages?
• Which comments can be seen as advantages?

Now put the sentences in order. You can listen again to check.

4) Discuss

Look at the sentences again.

• How does Rory introduce the topic he is going to examine?
• How many examples of it does he give?
• How does he introduce the argument?
• How does he give a conclusion / sum up? Does he recognise more than one point of view?

What do you think?

• Does more technology mean more communication?
• Does more technology mean better communication?
• Do you agree that "technology is an addition, not a replacement" for face-to-face socialising and communication?

5) Write

Look at this IELTS question

Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology.

In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships that people make? Has this been a positive or negative development?

Plan your essay.
How many paragraphs are you going to write?
1. Write an introduction
  a) Introduce the topic to be discussed.
  b) Explain it and give a few examples.
  c) Introduce the argument. Restate the question in your own words.

2. Give examples of how technology is changing relationships. State some advantages and disadvantages of these changes. Support your ideas - give some specific examples of the positive or negative effects of these changes.

3. Write a conclusion. Sum up what you have discussed.

6) Vocabulary - Crossword

How much vocabulary can you remember? 
All the answers in the crossword are from the radio clip.

Printable version of crossword here
Printable reading exercise  here

STaRt!