Information Technology (IT) tools that keep modern “delivery systems” running
(Use these real-life pictures when you talk, so students can picture the idea in their own world.)
Why it matters for moving
IT tool Say it like this to Grade 10 students
goods
“Think of Google Maps on a truck driver’s
Drivers waste less fuel and
dashboard. Satellites in space tell the driver
1. GPS (Global reach stores faster – that
exactly where the truck is and which
Positioning System) lowers delivery cost and
shortcut avoids traffic.”
keeps shelves stocked.
“Now zoom out from one truck to all the
company’s trucks. GIS is a giant digital map The company sends the
used in the office. It shows every road, right truck on the best road,
2. GIS (Geographic
traffic pattern, even weather. The planner so customers get their
Information System)
clicks and it suggests the quickest, least- orders on time, even over
busy routes for every vehicle.” long distances.
“Picture the port in Georgetown with
thousands of containers. Portnet is the port’s Cargo moves through the
3. Portnet (port- online ‘diary’. Shippers book space on a port smoothly instead of
network) system ship, schedule arrival times, and track each piling up, which keeps trade
container—all in one website.” flowing.
“When someone orders shoes on a website
or by phone, that sale appears instantly in Online shopping only works
4. Telemarketing & the warehouse computer. The system prints because IT links the order to
E-commerce a label and the shoes are packed for delivery the warehouse and the
right away.” delivery truck in seconds.
“These firms are like worldwide postal
Even a small local shop can
5. Global logistics services on steroids. Their planes, trucks,
sell overseas because these
providers (FedEx, and warehouses all talk to each other
specialists handle the
DHL, Amazon through IT, so you can watch your package
complicated international
Logistics) travel from Miami to Guyana in real time.”
leg of the journey.
“Imagine a gigantic ‘bus station’ for cargo
Countries build hubs to
near a port or airport. Containers arrive, sit
create jobs and speed up
6. Logistics hubs in huge warehouses, get new labels, and
trade. Powerful IT keeps the
leave on trucks or ships. Every move is
hub organised and secure.
recorded by scanners and computers.”
Quick classroom wrap-up
1. Start with a story: “Remember when your online order showed ‘Out for Delivery’? That
message comes from GPS and logistics IT.”
2. Connect to their world: Use local examples—e.g., shipments arriving at the Demerara
Harbour Bridge or Ogle Airport.
3. Mini-activity: Hand each group one of the six tools; let them draw a comic strip of “A
package’s journey” featuring that tool.
4. Key takeaway sentence: “Information technology is the invisible traffic-light system
that tells every box, truck, and ship where to go next.”
A port (in shipping and trade) is a special area along a coast or river where ships can safely stop
to load and unload cargo (containers, fuel, grain, cars, almost anything) and sometimes
passengers.
