Faith and Technology

Learning Context

Year 6 Religious Education
Lesson 2 of 4 in Unit: Carlo Acutis: Faith in Action
Duration: 45 minutes
Class size: 29 pupils
Curriculum: Northern Ireland Curriculum (The curriculum for Northern Ireland)

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Learning Outcomes

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

• Understand key aspects of Carlo Acutis’s life and his unique use of technology in spreading the Gospel (Minimum Level of Progression 4-5 RE strand - Understanding Christian beliefs and values).
• Analyse examples of Carlo’s website project focused on Eucharistic miracles.
• Reflect critically on how faith and modern technology can intersect positively.
• Develop respectful attitudes towards diverse methods of practising and sharing faith (Personal Development and Mutual Understanding [PDMU] Cross-curricular skills).

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Curriculum Links

• RE Strands:
  • World Faiths & Beliefs (Learning About) – Appreciating how people express faith in contemporary contexts.
  • Religious Beliefs and Values (Learning From) – Recognising the impact of religious beliefs on daily living and actions.
• Skills and Capabilities:
  • Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities: Reflecting critically, evaluating information.
  • Communication: Discussion, presenting ideas.
• Cross-Curricular Dimension:
  • Using ICT to Enhance Learning – Deploying technology to explore and express religious understanding.
  • Personal Development and Mutual Understanding (PDMU) – Respecting others’ faith expressions.

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Resources

• Printed/Projected extracts (simplified and age-appropriate) from Carlo Acutis’s website on Eucharistic miracles.
• Tablets or laptops (1:3 pupil ratio) with pre-loaded screenshots or interactive versions of Carlo’s website.
• Whiteboard and markers.
• Reflection journals or exercise books.
• Visual timeline of Carlo Acutis’s life (created by teacher or downloaded from RE resource bank).

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Starter question on board: "How do you use technology every day? Can technology help us in our faith?"
• Whole-class brief discussion to activate prior knowledge and link pupils’ experience with technology and faith.
• Introduce Carlo Acutis and recap key facts from Lesson 1 (using timeline).

2. Exploring Carlo’s Life and Technology (10 minutes)

• Teacher-led storytelling to highlight Carlo Acutis’s passion for computer programming and how he combined this with faith.
• Show photos and simple facts about his creation of a website documenting Eucharistic miracles globally.
• Clarify terms (e.g., Eucharist, miracle) in an accessible way.

3. Group Activity – Examining the Website (15 minutes)

• Organise pupils into groups of 3-4; each group accesses tablets or paper extracts of Carlo’s website.
• Group Task: Explore specific Eucharistic miracles Carlo included, discussing one example and answering:
  • What happened in this miracle?
  • Why do you think Carlo wanted to share this story?
  • How does technology help reach people with this message?
• Teacher circulates offering support and asking probing questions to deepen thinking.

4. Class Discussion – Faith and Technology (10 minutes)

• Groups present their findings briefly (2 mins per group).
• Whole class discussion guided by:
  • How can technology help us express and share our beliefs today?
  • Are there challenges or risks using technology in faith?
  • What can we learn from Carlo’s example about using our talents for good?
• Link discussion points to respect and understanding of diverse approaches in faith (PDMU focus).

5. Reflection and Consolidation (5 minutes)

• Pupils write a short reflection in their journals:
  “How can I use technology responsibly to share something important to me?”
• Option for some pupils to share reflections if time permits.

6. Plenary and Homework (Optional)

• Highlight next lesson focus on Carlo’s actions: charity and helping others.
• Homework suggestion: Ask pupils to find one way technology helps communities or charities and be ready to share.

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Assessment

• Formative: Teacher observations during group discussions and presentations assessing understanding and ability to link faith/practice with technology.
• Pupil Reflection: Written journal entry checked for personal engagement and comprehension.
• Lesson questioning: Use open and higher-order questions to assess critical thinking and personal opinions about faith and technology.

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Differentiation

• Support reading materials simplified and paired with visuals.
• Mixed-ability groups to encourage peer support.
• Extension: More able pupils encouraged to create a simple idea for their own technology project inspired by Carlo.

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Additional Notes for Teachers

• Emphasise the relevance of combining faith and everyday skills, supporting the Northern Ireland Curriculum’s aim of fostering spiritual, moral, and cultural development in a modern context.
• Use this lesson as an opportunity to challenge any narrow views about faith being only ‘old-fashioned’ and show it in a dynamic, modern light.
• Sensitively handle discussions about miracles to respect divergent beliefs within the classroom.

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End of Lesson 2 plan – ready to inspire young pupils about living faith in a digital age!