Effective Smart Lesson design

This guide aims to provide guidance on how to build effective lessons on the EP Platform, harnessing the power of the Smart Lesson tools. Each lesson will vary based on the content, context and your students’ learning needs, but the following framework is a great guide to get started.

Structure of a lesson

A well structured lesson can build student engagement and agency. Instant feedback provided throughout lessons harnesses the power of assessment for learning. 

Smart Lessons should include: 

• An introductory slide, and a slide outlining the lesson objectives and specific learning intentions.
• The relevant information chunked into sections - ideally avoid presenting all of the information in one big chunk.
• A variety of question sections interspersed throughout the lesson to provide timely and specific feedback, and ensure students understand concepts before moving on to the next step.
• An opportunity for students to demonstrate extended thinking or problem solving.
• Summary activities and a recap of lesson objectives to illustrate progress. 

Information sections

Information sections present lesson specific material that teaches students the concepts, components and key ideas. 

• Slides need to be scaffolded, using key word highlighting and images or videos.
• Material needs to be presented in bite-sized chunks and split across slides

Knowledge Check sections

Knowledge Check sections test understanding and provide instant feedback and model answers.

• Knowledge Check sections should include a variety of question types⁠—multiple choice, fill in the gaps, drop down, highlightable text, working formula. 
• Using a range of question types will help test different skills and increase student engagement.
• Questions in these sections will be auto marked, providing students with immediate feedback.
• Explanations can be used to help students understand processes.  

Following an Information section with a Knowledge Check section allows you to carefully scaffold the lesson, ensuring students are comfortable with a concept before moving on to the next part of the lesson.

Extended Response sections

• These sections are self-marked by students, and available for teachers to provide rich feedback or to use for peer review.
• Long answer, scratchpad, sound recorder and file uploader questions all extend student thinking.
• Providing a model answer allows students to compare their work and improve independently, driving ownership of their learning.

• Extended responses can be used to help students see relevant and real life applications. 

Optimising Engagement

Formatting

• Use headers
• Colour bold important text, questions and cognitive verbs. 
• Left align text to increase readability

Stay Relevant

• Consider real life applications
• Personalise your lessons to suit your students’ needs

Images, Gifs, Diagrams and Videos

• Images can be used throughout a lesson to increase visual appeal and to support the information.
• Diagrams support information and aid visual learners.
• Videos can be used to explain topics and can help students understand complex concepts.

If you would like to share these tips with your colleagues you are more than welcome to download a poster version here.