Week 5 and counting down until the Easter break.
Wow, what a crazy few days as the back end of cyclone Debbie came to town. One thing is for sure, she made her presence known. Debbie left North Queensland with a trail of destruction, before heading down towards Brisbane causing more damage and flooding. During this time, schools and business were closed across Queensland and emergency efforts began to take place. Usually attending my job at a school and university during this time, I received a few days off. During my bunkering down period, I have contemplated what this weeks post would be about. Although it should consist of what I learnt during this week’s content, I decided on something more appropriate for the recent events.
The vital role of ICT in an everyday, real world scenario was greatly highlighted for me. The ability to keep up-to-date with information regarding the weather events meant people were informed and safe. People were able to access weather radars, media coverage, important safety announcements and ensure people they knew were safe. In order to avoid leaving the house, I personally received a text and social media message to inform me that work, as well as sporting commitments were cancelled for the day. I mean, we would not have had the ability to that back in the day!
During the events of cyclone Debbie, the positive influence of ICT on crisis communication was quite evident. Social media and other technologies including live broadcasting provided a valuable platform to delivering timely information to large audiences. Prior, during and in the recovery phase, technology such as social media is particularly helpful in allowing communication between not only family and friends, but between the community and emergency services. This is not to mention all the technology that is utilised in gaining weather information etc in order to provide the audiences in the first place.
Although this may not explicitly link to ICT pedagogy in the classroom, I believe this reflection is of great importance for such a ICT skeptic like myself. By developing technoliterate learners in the classroom, we are creating learners who can efficiently utilise ICTs such as the resources used such emergency events. Perhaps even the people who retrieve and deliver the information.
Although written in response to cyclones which occurred in 2015, this article made very valid points in which I think makes a great read: http://theconversation.com/the-role-of-social-media-as-cyclones-batter-australia-37835
In the hope this finds everyone well with internet and power,
Miss Ingram – Signing out
EDC3100: ICT & Pedagogy 