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About The Resource
The Ethical Innovations Unit Of Work is a ten-week project based learning resource that challenges students to explore how digital platforms can be designed more responsibly in an era shaped by constant connectivity, algorithm driven content and evolving online behaviours. Students investigate the ethical challenges associated with mainstream social media before designing a new platform that prioritises responsible innovation, trust and user wellbeing.
Working in teams, students begin by examining how social media influences communication, identity and digital culture. They explore the negative impacts associated with current platforms, including mental health concerns, misinformation, polarisation, harmful content and excessive advertising, while also considering why these platforms remain commercially successful and widely used.
As the unit progresses, students analyse existing platforms, build user personas, define the purpose of their own app and design key platform features that respond to specific user needs. They explore monetisation models, community guidelines, ethical platform features and digital safety strategies before developing a prototype of their own social media concept using digital design tools.
The unit culminates in a final pitch presentation where each team presents its new social media platform, explains how it balances ethics and innovation and demonstrates why it offers a stronger digital experience for future users. Designed to build critical thinking, digital literacy, creativity and communication skills, this unit gives students the opportunity to respond to one of the most relevant digital challenges shaping their generation.
Age Group
High School Students
Learning Time
10 weeks of classroom delivery. Approximately 10 x 60-minute lessons, with flexibility for extended project work.
Student Output
Students develop and pitch an ethical social media concept along with visual materials, digital wireframes and platform features that demonstrate how social media could evolve.
Delivery Format
Digital download including editable PowerPoint, Word documents and printable PDF resources.
Curriculum Alignment
This resource features strong links with the following curriculum areas:
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What's Included
Upon purchasing the Ethical Innovations Unit Of Work, you will receive a downloadable bundle of teaching resources designed to support the delivery of a full project based learning unit centred around ethical technology, digital citizenship and responsible innovation.
The resource package includes a mix of editable teaching materials and ready to use student templates to help educators deliver the program with ease. The unit overview, unit plan and lesson slide decks are provided in editable formats so teachers can adapt the materials to suit their classroom and curriculum needs. Student facing resources such as templates and task sheets are provided as PDF documents ready to print or distribute digitally.
Included in this bundle:
Unit Overview (3 Page Editable Word Document): A high level overview of the unit outlining the weekly structure, learning objectives and classroom activities.
Task Sheet With Challenge Overview (PDF): A student facing brief outlining the challenge, focus areas and final pitch expectations.
Lesson Slide Decks (10 x Editable PowerPoint Slide Decks): Presentation slides designed to guide each stage of the unit, introducing concepts, activities, case studies and classroom prompts.
Printable Student Templates (4 x Printable PDF Documents): A collection of printable worksheets designed to support user personas, platform planning, community guidelines, wireframing, and pitch preparation.
10 Week Unit Plan (5 Page Editable Word Document): A detailed week by week teaching guide including lesson objectives, activity instructions and materials required.
Guide to Team Formation (PDF): A practical guide for educators outlining recommended approaches for forming effective student teams during the project.
These resources have been designed to support educators in delivering a complete digital innovation project, giving students the tools and guidance they need to explore ethical technology, develop meaningful ideas and communicate them clearly.
Contact Our Team
If you have any questions about this resource, would like advice on which challenge pack or teaching resource may work best for your students, or need to purchase via invoice, our team would be delighted to assist. Simply complete the form below and a member of the BOP Industries team will be in touch shortly.