Recycling and e-waste
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the environmental and ethical impacts of a device’s end of life and how to reduce them.
Key learning points
- Data stored on devices should be wiped before disposal.
- Deleting files is not always enough. Data can still sometimes be recovered unless the device is properly wiped or reset.
- Some devices include chemicals and metals that can damage the environment if not recycled safely.
- Passing on devices safely reduces the need for new ones.
- Using approved recycling schemes ensures materials are reused safely.
Keywords
Recycle - convert waste into reusable material
Electronic waste (e-waste) - discarded electrical or electronic equipment like phones, laptops and batteries
Common misconception
Deleting files on a device is the same as wiping data.
Simply deleting files on a device does not always remove the data completely. Wiping data properly overwrites or removes everything, so no one can recover the original data.
Teacher tip
To extend this lesson pupils could research about the impacts and statistics around e-waste. This could link into a cross-curricular project with geography.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is an extra copy of data stored in a different place known as?
Q2.Which devices may be used for local backups?
Q3.Which of the following is personal data?
Q4.Photos, emails and passwords stored on a device are examples of ...
Q5.What does recycling mean?
Q6.Old devices are sometimes sold, donated or to reduce waste when no longer needed.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why should data be wiped before selling or recycling a device?
Q2.Simply deleting files is not always enough. Proper data overwrites the entire hard drive.
Q3.Which law helps protect personal data in the UK and EU?
Q4. is discarded electrical or electronic equipment like phones, laptops and batteries.
Q5.Which of the following are hazardous materials found in e-waste?
Q6.Which one of these is a reason why transporting e-waste from developed countries to developing countries can damage the environment?
To help you plan your 6 digital literacy lesson on: Recycling and e-waste, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 digital literacy lesson on: Recycling and e-waste, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 digital literacy lessons from the From unbox to recycle: the journey of a digital device unit, dive into the full primary digital literacy curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.