> PROJECT TITLE: The Effects of Social Media on Student Communication Skills at [ name] High School https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vafv5LA3QxRs0OgOp347 OBJECTIVES: - To reduce overdependence on social media for communication. - To improve students' face-to-face communication skills. - To promote more effective language use among students. > *STAGE 1: PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vafv5LA3QxRs0OgOp347 *STATEMENT OF PROBLEM* : At ____ High School, students spend a lot of time on social media platforms such as WhatsApp, TikTok, and Facebook. This has reduced their ability to speak fluently and write properly in formal settings. Many students now use slang or abbreviations in speech and writing, which affects their academic performance. *STATEMENT OF INTENT:* I want to reduce the negative impact of social media on student communication by introducing peer-led communication clubs and encouraging verbal and written expression in a school setting. *DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS:* The solution will involve speaking clubs, public speaking competitions, and encouraging handwritten letters. Materials include printed posters, exercise books, pens, and small prizes. > *STAGE 2: INVESTIGATION OF RELATED IDEAS* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vafv5LA3QxRs0OgOp347 1. At Regina Coeli Mission, students were encouraged to write letters to friends instead of texting. It improved handwriting but took time to build interest. 2. In Harare, a school started a "no phones" day. Students talked more, but some cheated by hiding phones. 3. At Bernard Mizeki, a public speaking club helped learners become confident. However, only a few students joined actively. 4. At St Faith's, they had debates weekly. It improved vocabulary and critical thinking but required consistent teacher involvement. > *STAGE 3: GENERATION OF IDEAS* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vafv5LA3QxRs0OgOp347 Idea 1: Start a public speaking club - builds confidence but needs time commitment. Idea 2: Introduce "no-phone hours" - encourages social interaction but hard to monitor. Idea 3: Letter-writing competitions - boosts writing but may seem old-fashioned. Idea 4: Combine clubs, debates, and competitions for a broader reach. > *STAGE 4: DEVELOPMENT OF SELECTED IDEA* Selected Idea: Combined program with public speaking club, debate sessions, and letter-writing competition. Reason: This will involve more students and tackle both verbal and written communication. Materials: - Paper, pens, markers Posters for announcements - Prizes (e.g., pens or notebooks) Process: 1. Set up a timetable for club meetings and competitions. 2. Encourage teachers to assign letter-writing tasks. 3. Reward best speakers and writers weekly. *STAGE 5: PRESENTATION OF RESULTS* Students started joining the speaking club and 3 classes held letter-writing contests. Teachers reported clearer sentence construction and more active class participation. The posters raised awareness about responsible social media use. > *STAGE 6: EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS* Evaluation: Some students were shy to join, and others lacked interest. Recommendations: - Encourage participation by awarding house points. - Ask prefects to help lead communication activities. - Train students to mentor others in speech skills. Conclusion: This project showed that learners can improve communication with the right motivation. With support from staff and peers, more students can develop their language skills.