UNIT 22 28/1/05 1:48 pm Page 263
▲ UNIT
22 Activities Investigate types of formal written communication used in the uniformed services
Student Book 1 pages 235–238
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY 22.1
VAK
In groups, chose a uniformed service and list all the reasons they might have for communicating in written format, for example a memo to a colleague. Share your ideas with the class and highlight the communications on your list that are formal.
Investigate types of formal written communication used in the uniformed services
Student Book 1 pages 235–238
RESEARCH ACTIVITY 22.1 Written communication
VK
Obtain 3 pieces of formal communication for the public services by speaking to members of the uniformed services or sending a request for information to 3 of the following services: Army, Royal Navy, RAF, local fire brigade, police force and ambulance service. Compare your information with your classmates.
Investigate and compare radios and radio communication in public service work
Student Book 1 pages 238–244
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY 22.2
AK
In small groups, brainstorm your ideas based on the following questions. 1 Why do you think that the Armed Forces started to use walkie-talkies? 2 What are the differences between using a mobile phone and a walkie-talkie? 3 Why do you think the Armed Forces are increasingly making greater use of mobile phones?
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▲ Investigate and compare radios and radio communication in public service work
Student Book 1 pages 238–244
WORKSHEET 22.1: Radio comparison chart
VK
Research the different radios used by as many different public services as possible and complete the comparison chart below. Radio comparison chart Radio 1:
Radio 2:
Radio 3:
Radio 4:
Radio 5:
Type of radio
Used by
Frequency range
Number of channels
Power supply
Range (countryside)
Range (woodland)
Range (built up areas)
Antenna size
Weight
Facilities
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UNIT 22 28/1/05 1:48 pm Page 265
▲ Investigate and compare radios and radio communication in public service work
Student Book 1 pages 238–244
RESEARCH ACTIVITY 22.2: Radio specifications
VK
Using your research from Worksheet 22.1, design the perfect radio specifications for the following public services: • police constable with a city centre beat • paratrooper on active service in desert conditions • RAF Mountain Rescue member trying to locate a missing walking party on remote moorland • an ambulance serving East Sheffield, with its mix of urban environment and rural countryside. Remember that there are some features which have a direct relationship with others, for example a long battery life means increased weight. You will need to look for common patterns in the radios you have researched.
Explore other forms of communication transmission in public service work
Student Book 1 pages 245–248
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY 22.3
AK
In groups, decide how you will pass a short message to the rest of the class without writing or speaking.
Explore other forms of communication transmission in public service work
Student Book 1 pages 245–248
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 22.1: Charades Play a game of charades trying to guess the names of films, TV programmes, books or songs. Once you have played for 10–20 minutes, discuss the specific codes that have been used, such as a hand on the head means a name, a T shape using the index fingers means the word ‘the’.
Explore other forms of communication transmission in public service work
Student Book 1 pages 245–248
RESEARCH ACTIVITY 22.3: Other forms of communication
VK
Research the following methods of communication: Morse code, semaphore, and heliograph and find out: • what they are
• who would use them
• how they are created
• why they would use them.
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▲ Explore other forms of communication transmission in public service work
Student Book 1 pages 245–248
PRESENTATION 22.1: Advantages and disadvantages of other communication
VAK
In groups, prepare a presentation to show the advantages and disadvantages of Morse code, semaphore, and heliograph. You should think of scenarios to explain your ideas or you could use the following scenarios to demonstrate which of the 3 would be the better choice to use and why, In your presentation you should explain: • which form of communication you have chosen and why • why you did not choose the other 2.
Scenario 1 You are a member of the Coastguard. You are in a small vessel within sight but not shouting distance of the rest of the crew on the mainland. Radio contact is completely down and you need to tell them that your engine has failed.
Scenario 2 You are a member of the Royal Navy. Your ship has taken on board refugees, some of which are suffering from an airborne virus. You have pulled into a foreign port and intend to take on supplies but cannot take the refugees ashore for risk of spreading the disease to locals. You need to communicate to other ships and the harbour master and crew that they should not attempt to board.
Scenario 3 You are a member of a co-ordinated rescue team trying to find a missing child. You have been out on the hills for some time and have become separated from the others. Your radio has a fault and your team are only receiving crackles when you speak.
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UNIT 22 28/1/05 1:48 pm Page 267
▲ Demonstrate practical signalling and communication skills
Student Book 1 page 248
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY 22.4
VK
Choose a new name, perhaps the name of a film star or TV character and use either Morse code or semaphore to introduce yourself by name to 3 other members of the class. See if they can work out what your new name is.
Demonstrate practical signalling and communication skills
Student Book 1 page 248
RESEARCH ACTIVITY 22.4: Letter layout
VK
Imagine you are a recruitment officer for a public service of your choice. Find an example of a letter written by that public service and use the layout and style to write a letter to confirm you are offering a new recruit a post.
Demonstrate practical signalling and communication skills
Student Book 1 page 248
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 22.2: Radio net
AK
In a group of 3, set up a radio net. You will need 3 walkie-talkies, all on the same wave band. One of you must be the control and the other 2 are substations. Work out a simple call sign for each member of the group. Work out the order you should pass on a simple message using page 224 of Student Book 1 as a guide. You will need to change some of the wording to prowords. You then need to separate around the building/site and pass on the message. Remember to use the phonetic alphabet and prowords. You will also need to remember to include the end of message prowords: over, out.
Demonstrate practical signalling and communication skills
Student Book 1 page 248
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 22.3: Treasure trail
VAK
Split into 2 groups. Group 1 will work out a treasure trail around the college or site using a map of the site. There should be at least 5 checkpoints and at each checkpoint there should be something that group 2 can find and bring back (an object) or the answer to a question, for example ‘How many people are on the poster to your right? Only group 1 has access to the map and their role is to guide group 2 to the checkpoints using a walkie-talkie. They must not give out the names of locations. For example they cannot say ‘go to reception’ or ‘go to room 221’. They must only use directions and distances to guide group 2, such as ‘go straight ahead past 2 classrooms’ or ‘turn right and continue for about 30 metres.’
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▲ Demonstrate practical signalling and communication skills
Student Book 1 page 248
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 22.4: Semaphore messages
VK
For this activity you will need signalling flags. Try standing 4 metres apart and send your own name to a partner using semaphore. They will judge if you have it right. Once you have mastered your own name, try other words, starting off simple but getting more complicated. Once you have mastered single words, try sending a short message of 2 or 3 words.
Demonstrate practical signalling and communication skills
Student Book 1 page 248
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 22.5: Morse code messages
K
For this activity, you will need either a walkie-talkie capable of transmitting Morse code or something to tap it out with. If you are using walkie-talkies you and your partner will need to be in separate rooms. If you are tapping out your message you need to be sitting back-to-back to your partrner so that you cannot see each other but can hear the taps clearly. Try tapping out the SOS signal first, just until you get the hang of it, and then try sending your partner the names of other members of your group. Once you have mastered single words, try sending short messages of 2 or 3 words.
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