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Communicating digitally

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can recognise how people communicate digitally on different devices.

Key learning points

  1. Digital communication takes place using two or more devices.
  2. Devices allow us to send messages in different ways.
  3. Some digital messages are seen straight away and others later.

Keywords

  • Device - an object that uses computer technology to work; it stores and processes information

  • Digital - using technology

  • Voice - sounds we make when we speak

Common misconception

Digital messages are always better than talking to someone.

Sometimes digital messages are helpful, but talking face to face can be better for sharing feelings, listening carefully and answering straight away.

Teacher tip

Use familiar, everyday examples of digital communication (such as messages sent at home) to help pupils recognise digital messages without needing to use real devices.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

4 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is a way people can communicate?

sitting quietly
Correct answer: talking
standing still
sleeping

Q2.
Which of these ways of communicating uses a digital device?

talking to a friend next to you
drawing a picture on paper
Correct answer: sending a message on a tablet
writing with a pencil

Q3.
Which of these could be used to send a digital message?

pencil
chair
Correct answer: computer
book

Q4.
Which of these is not digital communication?

sending a message on a tablet
sending a picture using a device
Correct answer: talking to someone face-to-face
sending a voice message

5 Questions

Q1.
Which sentence is correct?

Digital communication does not use devices.
Correct answer: Digital communication uses devices to send messages.
Only talking is digital communication.
Drawing on paper is digital communication.

Q2.
Which list shows only digital devices?

Correct answer: phone, tablet, computer
book, pencil, paper
chair, table, screen
crayons, notebook, ruler

Q3.
Match the digital message type to what it uses.

Correct Answer:writing,words or letters

words or letters

Correct Answer:pictures,images or photos

images or photos

Correct Answer:voice,sound

sound

Q4.
Why might a digital message be seen later?

The message disappears.
Correct answer: The device is turned off or not being checked.
The message was written.
The message was a picture

Q5.
You send a message using a digital device. Which of these could the message be?

Correct answer: a voice message
Correct answer: a picture
smell
Correct answer: written words
taste

To help you plan your 1 digital literacy lesson on: Communicating digitally, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...