Intermediate
60 mins
Teacher/Student led
+65 XP

Choosing the Right Digital Format: Final Decision

Students lock two different digital formats for Key Assignment 1 on one Something Real topic. Format 1 must work in the VET interview; Format 2 serves a second audience. They save sm2_two_format_plan with purpose–audience justifications so they are not rebuilding halfway through the module.

Teacher Class Feed

Load previous activity

    1 - Introduction ~5 mins

    Welcome

    Illustration for IntroductionToday you save {{code:sm2_two_format_plan}} with two different formats locked for KA1. One format must work in the Vocational Education Task interview; the other serves a second audience or purpose. A clear decision now stops you rebuilding halfway through the module.

    By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

    • Lock two different digital formats for KA1 on the same or related topic
    • Ensure at least one format is usable for the VET interview
    • Justify each format against purpose and audience

    Warm-up (30 seconds)

    With a partner (or on a sticky note), name one interview format and one phone format. Use your VET Presentation Plan or Format Decision notes if you have them. If not, pick from the board list: interview options (slide deck, short offline video, Canva pitch) and second-audience options (infographic, carousel, short social clip). Be ready to say your pair when your teacher asks.

    2 - Key Concepts ~6 mins

    Start with the pass/fail check, then Aoife's locked plan. Keep the decision strip in mind when you write your own plan later.

    Board contrast (non-negotiable): two slide decks with different titles = fail. A slide deck plus a carousel, short video, infographic, or podcast clip = pass. The formats must differ in medium or structure, not only in colour or title.

    Worked example: Aoife

    Fictional student Aoife is building a small enterprise pitch for custom phone cases sold locally. Her locked plan:

    • Format 1 (VET): six-slide deck — purpose: persuade the examiner she can plan and cost a real product; audience: SEC examiner and teacher; why: structured, timed, easy to present live offline.
    • Format 2: Instagram carousel (Canva) — purpose: attract first customers; audience: secondary-school students in her town; why: vertical, scannable, matches where that audience already looks.
    • Shared topic: the same phone-case enterprise from two angles (viability vs customer hook).

    Purpose–audience–format fit: match what the piece is for and who will see it to the medium that carries it best. A great infographic fails in a live interview if the examiner needs you to talk through decisions; a dense slide deck fails on a phone screen.

    Quick decision strip:

    • Inform or persuade an examiner in a timed interview → slide deck or offline Canva pitch
    • Catch 30 seconds of phone attention → carousel, short vertical video, or one-page infographic
    • Reach a club committee, workplace, or noticeboard → one-page Canva flyer or data-led infographic
    ConceptWhy it mattersExample
    Different, not decorative — the two formats must differ in medium or structure, not only in colour or titleTwo near-identical slide decks will not meet KA1; the second format should do a job the first cannotSlide deck plus podcast clip, or Canva pitch plus data-led infographic, both on the same Something Real topic

    3 - Step-by-step Task ~12 mins

    Key point

    Build the structure of Aoife's Two Format Plan — not every full sentence. Your teacher keeps the finished sample on the classroom screen (and may share a read-only sample file). Match headings and one model bullet per section; use the screen for the rest of the wording.

    You will use this same shape for your own Something Real project in Independent Practice.

    That was careful structure work — good. You will end with a live model open. Independent Practice is the same shape with your project, not Aoife's; use the sample only for structure.

    4 - Common Issues ~5 mins

    Common Issues

    Skim the two traps that block KA1. Your teacher will circulate on the rest if you get stuck.

    IssueSolution
    My two formats are both slide decks with different titlesKA1 needs different formats. Keep one deck for the VET if that is your strength, and pick a second medium such as a Canva infographic, short CapCut video, podcast clip, or carousel.
    I want a TikTok or live Instagram post as Format 1 for the VETRisky for interview day. Use a short video only if you can export an {{code:.mp4}} and play it offline. Otherwise keep social formats for Format 2 and use a deck or Canva pitch for Format 1.

    Before Independent Practice (whole class):

    1. Your teacher confirms or assigns your Something Real topic in one quick pass — no placeholders later.
    2. As a class, shout a purpose and audience for Format 2 using the stem "This format fits because…".
    3. Use the board starter Format 1 / Format 2 pairs while you write.

    5 - Independent Practice ~22 mins

    Independent Practice

    Your goal: Lock Format 1 and Format 2 for your own Something Real project so KA1 and the VET interview both have a clear path from today.
    Time: ~25 minutes (includes final class check)
    Task:
    1. Topic locked with teacher — do not create the file until your Something Real topic is confirmed (no placeholders).
    2. Open {{code:Project_Portfolio/09_specialism/sm2}} and create {{code:sm2_two_format_plan}} (or open the support template if your teacher gave you one).
    3. Add these headings with Heading 1 / Heading 2: Title (Two Format Plan); Student / project / shared topic; Format 1 (VET interview); Format 2 (second audience); How the two connect; Decision check.
    4. Format 1: short labelled lines are fine for format type, purpose, and audience. Write full sentences for why it fits the VET interview and what they should walk away knowing. Format 1 must open offline and run in about two minutes.
    5. Format 2: same field pattern — short labels for type / purpose / audience; full sentences for why it fits and walk-away. Must be a genuinely different medium or structure on the same or closely related topic.
    6. Write How the two connect and the Decision check in full sentences (not yes/no). Do not copy Aoife's short sample labels into why / walk-away / Decision check.

    If you stall: use the board starter pairs and the stem "This format fits because…".

    If you are stuck between two Format 1 ideas, pick the one you can open offline and rehearse in two minutes.

    A clear medium today beats a perfect paragraph — you can polish wording later; what matters now is a pair you can actually build.

    Success criteria:
    • {{code:sm2_two_format_plan}} is saved inside {{code:Project_Portfolio/09_specialism/sm2}} with Heading 1 and Heading 2 sections matching the required structure
    • Format 1 names a VET-usable medium, purpose, real interview audience, plus full-sentence why (offline / live) and walk-away message
    • Format 2 is a genuinely different medium or structure with its own audience and purpose on the same or closely related topic, including full-sentence why and walk-away
    • How the two connect and the Decision check answer all three checks in full sentences, not just yes or no
    123learn · Online learning platform

    Unlock the full learning experience

    You're previewing this lesson. Get full access to this lesson and hundreds more — each one ready to teach, with interactive activities, printable resources and pupil progress tracking built in.

    Hundreds of curriculum-aligned lessons
    Interactive activities in every lesson
    Printable resources & progress tracking
    Copyright Notice
    This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2025. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.
    🍪 Our website uses cookies to make your browsing experience better. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more