Algorithms and echo chambers
I can explain how algorithms and human behaviours influence what we consume online.
Algorithms and echo chambers
I can explain how algorithms and human behaviours influence what we consume online.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Money influences how content is created, shared and viewed.
- People can pay money to advertise their products or boost their views.
- Content is suggested to us, based on computer algorithms that guess what we might enjoy.
- We are often shown identical content to people who are similar to us, creating an 'echo chamber'.
- Echo chambers create polarised opinions and can cause problems in society.
Keywords
Influence - the effect that somebody has on the way a person thinks or behaves
Content - posts, videos, reels or articles put online by a content creator
Algorithm - a set of rules used or created by a computer program
Echo chamber - a space where we only hear opinions and beliefs similar to our own
Polarised - when something is split into two very different or opposite opinions, like when people strongly disagree about something
Common misconception
Most people think the same way as me.
When we use the internet, we are normally shown things that reinforce our current opinions due to social media algorithms and human nature. This means we are often unaware of diverse viewpoints.
To help you plan your year 6 rshe (pshe) lesson on: Algorithms and echo chambers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 rshe (pshe) lesson on: Algorithms and echo chambers, 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 rshe (pshe) lessons from the Media influence: How do I decide what is true online? unit, dive into the full secondary rshe (pshe) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
to create or make something
computer programs that can learn and think in a way similar to humans
to spot or recognise something
Exit quiz
5 Questions
posts, videos, reels or articles put online by a content creator
a set of rules used or created by a computer program
a space where we only hear opinions and beliefs similar to our own