Technology: Unit 3 Activity 2 The cost of digital technology in your home
Unit/ Activity focus / Consumer education objectives / Literacy, language and numeracy objectives / Literacy curriculum refs / ESOL curriculum refs / Numeracy curriculum refs / Key/ Functional Skills curriculum refs /Use the internet to research technology bills for own household / Research technology bills for own household / Use a range of strategies to read and understand information about technology bills
Using a range of appropriate strategies, estimate home technology bill and compare prices for technology services / AL Rt/L1.1
AL Rt/L1.2
AL Rt/L1.3
AL Rt/L1.4
AL Rt/L1.5
AL Rs/L1.1
AL Rs/L1.2 / AE Rt/L1.1
AE Rt/L1.2
AE Rt/L1.3
AE Rt/L1.4
AE Rt/L1.5
AE Rs/L1.1
AE Rs/L1.2
AE Rw/L1.1
AE Rw/L1.2 / AN HD1/L1.1 / KS C1.2
FS Reading L1
KS N1.1
KS N1.2
FS Maths L1
RESOURCES AND PREPARATION
Before the session:
· Ask learners to bring in adverts, flyers, consumer guides on Freeview, broadband etc.
· Computers with access to the internet
· Data projector (optional)
Technology: Unit 3 Essential information Technology Digital television and the internet
NUMERACY FOCUS with literacy features
SUGGESTED PROCEDURE
· Set the context by brainstorming the different types of technology that learners have in their homes. Build up a list on the board e.g. television, laptop and desktop computers, broadband, digital and analogue television, games consoles. Add to this with information from learners’ leaflets.
· Check that learners understand key terms such as Freeview, broadband, multi-service package and price comparison websites. If necessary, show learners how they can check Freeview and broadband availability in their area. Use a data projector, if available, to show learners the postcode checkers on www.freeview.co.uk/home and on some price comparison websites.
· Ask learners to identify the items they pay for in a one-off payment and those that they pay for monthly. Elicit some examples of monthly subscription rates for these services as both individual contracts or part of multi-service packages and write the range of prices next to the items on the board.
· Divide learners into groups and ask them to discuss what they know, or estimate, their monthly bill to be for the technology in their home (if they are happy to share this information).
· Ask who has used a price comparison website before and build up a list of websites on the board. If necessary, and if available, use a data projector to demonstrate how to use a price comparison site.
· Ask learners to choose a digital service and research the pricing options further using their home postcode e.g. digital television or broadband as single contracts or part of multi-service packages. They need to check and compare results from at least two different price comparison websites.
· Ask learners to report back with main findings to whole group.
· Ask learners whether they think their monthly household technology bills could be reduced. Highlight the importance of considering factors other than price before changing contracts. Elicit suggestions as to what other factors may be e.g. quality of customer service, cost of technical support.
Teachers' notes 1
Technology:
Unit 3 Essential information Digital television and the internet Page 1 of 1
Technology – Digital television and the internet
DIGITAL TELEVISION
· Digital UK is the independent organisation leading the process of digital TV switchover in the UK. Call them on 08456 50 50 50 or visit www.digitaluk.co.uk It gives information about how switchover works, explains what you need to do, what it’s likely to cost and when it’s happening where you live.
· This logo means that TVs and TV products have been designed to work before, during and after digital switchover.
· Ricability is an independent consumer research organisation which tests digital TV products. See their product recommendations at www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk.
· For clear explanations of words and terms about digital TV see www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/jargon-buster.htm
INTERNET ACCESS
· Charges for telephone helpline and technical support can sometimes be very expensive. Before you sign a new contract, check whether these are free, free for a specific period or, if not, the charge per minute.
· Being put through and then left waiting in a queue for a long time can add a lot to the cost of a call for technical support. Look at consumer reviews on websites to find out if other customers are happy with the support and service before you choose a provider.
This resource has been produced by LLU+ for the Office of Fair Trading: www.oft.gov.uk/skilledtogo
Revised 09/12