Living online together: how can we do this respectfully?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why impartial and accurate media representation of religion and belief is important.
Key learning points
- The representation of religion and belief in the media matters because it has an impact on society.
- Polarisation can happen when misinformation about religions creates tensions within and between communities.
- Fair, accurate and responsible communication is essential for respectful online spaces.
- Curiosity and careful questioning help people slow down, check information and understand others.
Keywords
Amplification - the process by which a message becomes more powerful and influential because it is repeated, shared or spread widely across different media channels
Polarisation - the division of people into opposing groups with extreme or conflicting opinions
Respect - the recognition of someone’s worth shown by treating them with fairness, care and consideration
Common misconception
Media coverage of religion and belief only affects religious people, so accuracy and impartiality aren’t that important.
How religion is portrayed in the media can influence opinions, create tensions, or polarise communities, so truth and impartiality are essential.
Teacher tip
This lesson could be taught as two. The first half of the lesson could be used to investigate polarisation. The second half could be held as a debate to complete the unit. Please note that Lewis Kent is a fictional influencer based on a case studies of real Christian influencers.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Young people often get information through media.
Q2.What does amplifying a voice mean?
Q3.What happens when content is prioritised over engagement?
Q4.Some posts may religious teachings.
Q5.Critical thinking helps prevent ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why does the representation of religion and belief in the media matter?
Q2.In 2024, rising created fear for some Muslim women.
Q3.Amplified messages gain greater ...
Q4.What is polarisation?
Q5.Responsible communication helps build in online communities.
Q6.What does careful questioning help people do?
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Living online together: how can we do this respectfully?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Living online together: how can we do this respectfully?, 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 4 religious education lessons from the Religion and the Media: how can we live online together? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.