Creating Digital Media — Year 3 Lesson Plan
National Curriculum: Computing KS2 — select, use and combine a variety of software to accomplish given goals; be discerning in evaluating digital content
Overview
Pupils learn to create purposeful digital content by combining text, images, and audio using appropriate software. They understand that different types of media are suited to different purposes and audiences, develop awareness of copyright and ownership of digital content, and practise evaluating and improving their own digital work.
Learning Objectives
- Create a digital product that combines text, image, and/or audio for a specific purpose.
- Understand that different media formats are suited to different purposes and audiences.
- Demonstrate awareness of copyright when using images and media found online.
- Evaluate digital work using specific criteria and suggest improvements.
Key Vocabulary
Suggested Lesson Structure
Show three pieces of media about the same topic: a poster, a podcast snippet, and a short video. Ask: which would you use to learn quickly? Which to enjoy at home? Which to share with a friend? Introduce the idea that choosing the right media format matters.
Discuss media types and their purposes: text (detailed information, easy to search), image (quick impact, cross-language), audio (accessible, good for storytelling), video (demonstrates processes). Introduce copyright: when you find an image online, someone made it — you can't use it without permission unless it's labelled for reuse (Creative Commons). Introduce free-to-use image sources. Demonstrate the project task: create an information page (digital poster or simple webpage) on a chosen topic using a class-agreed tool (e.g. Google Slides, Book Creator, or Canva for Education). Show how to: search for Creative Commons images, resize and position elements, add text with appropriate fonts and sizes.
Pupils begin planning their digital media product: choose a topic, define their audience, sketch a rough layout on paper. Identify: what text will they include? What images? Will they add audio? Peer review plans before starting: 'Is the purpose clear? Is it suited to the audience?'
Pupils create their digital product using the agreed tool. Teacher circulates to prompt: 'Why did you choose that font size? Is that image copyright-free? Who is your audience — would they understand this?' Pupils save their work.
Two-star and a wish peer evaluation: each pupil views a partner's work and gives two specific strengths and one improvement suggestion. Discuss: what makes a piece of digital media effective? Is it always about how it looks, or does content matter more?
Common Misconceptions
- If an image is on the internet, it is free to use — most images on the internet are copyright-protected; 'free to view' does not mean 'free to use'.
- More images and animations make a digital product better — too much visual noise can obscure the message; good design serves the purpose.
Prior Knowledge
Pupils should already be able to:
- Basic use of word-processing and presentation software.
- Understanding of how to save and open files.
- KS1 online safety awareness.
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