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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...