Simplify Your Lesson Design: A Guide for Educators

Hello, Amazing educators!

I hope your week has been as inspiring as the lessons you deliver to your students.

Today, let's talk about something we all struggle with

"How to make our lessons interesting but easy?"

I call it the art of crafting a Minimum Viable Lesson (MVL).

Why Should You Care About MVLs?

You've probably heard of MVPs, right? No, not Most Valuable Players—although you all are MVPs in my book!

I'm talking about Minimum Viable Products.

It's a tech term that means launching with just enough features to satisfy early adopters.

So, what if we apply this MVP mindset to our lessons?

Enter the MVL - A lesson that focuses on the most important parts but still has a strong impact.

How to Build Your MVL

1. Start with Learning Objectives

Before you dive into the sea of resources, ask yourself:

• "What do I want my students to take away from this lesson?"
• Keep it simple and focused.

1. Pick Your Core Content

Choose just one or two key resources that align with your objectives.

It could be a video, a reading passage, or even an interactive activity.

The idea is to avoid overwhelming your students (and yourself).

1. Assess the Learning

How will you know if the lesson was a hit?

• A quick quiz
• A class discussion
• An exit ticket

Can do the trick.

Keep it aligned with your objectives.

1. Add a Dash of Interaction

Engagement is the spice of any lesson.

Throw in a discussion question or a quick poll. But remember, the goal is to enhance, not complicate.

1. Wrap it Up with a CTA (Call to Action)

End the lesson with a simple task that reinforces the learning objectives.

It could be as simple as jotting down what they learned or sharing their thoughts in a class forum.

Why This Works

• Saves Time: You're busy. MVLs help you focus on what's essential, saving you prep time.
• Boosts Engagement: When lessons are straightforward, students are more likely to engage. No one likes feeling overwhelmed, right?
• Easy to Adapt: Got a lesson that worked like a charm? Great! MVLs are easy to tweak and use in different contexts.

So, the next time you sit down to plan a lesson, give the MVL approach a try. I promise it'll make your life a bit easier and your lessons a lot more impactful.

Feel free to hit me up on LinkedIn or drop me an email if you want to chat more about this. I'm all ears!

Cheers to simpler, more effective teaching!

Warm Regards

Manoj Sundaram

Your Go-To EdTech Consultant in India

P.S. I'm curious—what's the biggest hurdle you face when trying to simplify your lesson plans?

Feel free to hit reply or connect with me on LinkedIn to share your insights!