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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe how different words or images affect how a message is understood and felt.

      Key learning points

      1. Messages can be presented in different ways.
      2. Some messages are sent and seen later.
      3. Technology allows messages to be sent at different times.

      Keywords

      • Presentation - the way something is shown or shared

      • Meaning - what someone understands from what is shared

      • Choice - something we decide to do

      Common misconception

      Digital messages cannot hurt or affect people’s feelings.

      Digital messages can affect people’s feelings because it is harder to see voices, faces and feelings in a message.

      Teacher tip

      Keep examples simple and familiar, focusing on how words or images can change how a message is understood, rather than exploring feelings in detail.

      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 message?

      a chair
      Correct answer: a spoken sentence
      a pencil
      a bag

      Q2.
      Which of these uses words to send a message?

      a picture sign
      a drawing
      a symbol
      Correct answer: writing a note

      Q3.
      Which of these is a digital message?

      a note written on paper
      talking face to face
      Correct answer: a message sent on a phone
      drawing a picture on paper

      Q4.
      Which sentence is correct?

      Messages can only be spoken.
      Correct answer: Messages can be sent in different ways.
      Messages can only be digital.
      Messages cannot use pictures.

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      Which sentence is correct?

      Messages always sound the same.
      Correct answer: Messages can be presented in different ways.
      Messages only use words.
      Messages cannot use images.

      Q2.
      Two messages have the same meaning. What could make them sound different?

      Correct answer: the words or images used
      the room they are in
      the time of day
      the size of the device

      Q3.
      Match the message to how it is presented.

      Correct Answer:Please sit here 🙂,friendly

      friendly

      Correct Answer:SIT HERE!,less friendly

      less friendly

      Correct Answer:Sit here.,neutral

      neutral

      Q4.
      Why can digital messages be harder to understand?

      they disappear
      they are always short
      Correct answer: we cannot see faces or hear voices
      they are sent too quickly

      Q5.
      Which message is most likely to make someone feel happy?

      That’s wrong.
      Do it now!
      No.
      Correct answer: Try again please.

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