How To Prepare Digital Lessons

Module 1 introduces teachers to the foundations of digital lessons.
It explains what digital lessons are, how they differ from traditional and blended lessons, and why they are essential for modern teaching. Teachers learn that digital lessons improve access, support diverse learners, and create clarity and consistency in instruction. The module also introduces five core principles—clarity, simplicity, accessibility, engagement, and low‑data design—which guide teachers in creating effective digital learning experiences.

This module sets the foundation for the rest of the course by helping teachers understand why digital lessons matter and how to design them with intention.

Assignment to help teachers apply the concepts from Module 1 by creating a clear, simple, accessible digital lesson using any basic tool they already know.

Module 2 teaches teachers how to plan a digital lesson with clarity and purpose. It begins with writing strong learning outcomes and aligning them with activities and assessments. Teachers learn a simple lesson flow—warm up, explanation, guided practice, independent practice, assessment, and reflection—that keeps lessons organized and easy to follow. The module also explains how to choose the right tool (Word, PowerPoint, PDF, or images) based on the lesson’s purpose. Finally, teachers learn how to design for low‑data environments by using offline‑first strategies, compressing files, and preparing materials for WhatsApp or shared devices.
This module gives teachers the planning foundation needed to create effective, accessible digital lessons.

This assignment helps you practice the core skills from Module 2 by planning a simple, structured digital lesson. You will create a one‑page lesson plan that includes a clear learning outcome, a step‑by‑step lesson flow, and a tool choice that supports your teaching goal. You will also apply low‑data design strategies to ensure your lesson is accessible on mobile devices and in low‑connectivity environments. By completing this assignment, you will learn how to plan digital lessons that are clear, aligned, and easy for learners to follow — no matter what device or data level they have.

The Module 3 Teacher Practice Activity gives teachers a hands‑on opportunity to apply everything they have learned about writing clear, simple, and supportive instructions. In this activity, teachers take a confusing, mixed instruction and rewrite it using the principles from the module: strong action verbs, step‑by‑step sequencing, simple language, spacing, bullets, and accessible formatting. They also practice designing for mixed‑ability learners by creating both a basic task for beginners and an extension task for more advanced learners. Finally, teachers add an alternative pathway to ensure flexibility for learners with different devices, data levels, or digital skills.

This activity helps teachers move from theory to practice. By rewriting real instructions, they experience how small changes—short sentences, clear steps, icons, spacing—can dramatically improve learner understanding and reduce classroom confusion. The activity also builds confidence in designing instructions that work well on mobile phones and in low‑data environments. Teachers finish the activity with a practical, ready‑to‑use model they can apply immediately in their own lessons.

In this assignment, teachers apply the design principles from Module 4 to transform one of their existing learning materials into a clean, readable, and visually appealing version. The goal is to help teachers move from theory to practice by redesigning a worksheet, slide, handout, or instruction page using contrast, alignment, spacing, consistency, and thoughtful media choices.

Teachers begin by selecting a real material they currently use in class. They then redesign it using a simple template, clear layout, and low‑data design choices. This includes choosing readable fonts, using a limited colour palette, adding spacing, aligning elements neatly, and incorporating helpful icons or images where appropriate. Teachers also demonstrate their ability to avoid clutter and heavy media, ensuring the final product is accessible on mobile devices and suitable for low‑data environments.

The assignment ends with a short reflection where teachers explain what they changed and why. This reflection helps them internalize the design principles and understand how visual clarity improves learner engagement and reduces confusion. By completing this assignment, teachers build confidence in creating professional, learner‑friendly materials that support all learners — even in resource‑constrained settings.

Module 4 introduces teachers to the essential design principles that make learning materials clear, attractive, and easy to use — even on small screens and in low‑data environments. Teachers learn how contrast, alignment, spacing, and consistency work together to create materials that feel professional and reduce cognitive load for learners.

The module also shows how templates can save time, support consistency, and simplify the design process. Teachers explore where to find simple templates, how to create their own, and how to adapt them for different subjects without adding unnecessary complexity.

Next, the module guides teachers in choosing the right media — images, icons, audio, and short videos — while avoiding heavy files that slow down devices or consume too much data. Teachers learn how to use media intentionally to support learning, not decoration.

Finally, the module focuses on creating clean, readable layouts. Teacher's practice selecting readable fonts, choosing simple color palettes, structuring pages clearly, and avoiding clutter. By the end of Module 4, teachers can design materials that are visually appealing, accessible, and supportive of learners with different digital skills.

Module 5 teaches you how to design simple, engaging activities and assessments that support learning. You explored different activity types—matching, sorting, short responses, practical tasks, and low-tech interactions—and learned how to use them effectively. You also learned how to build assessments into your lesson through quick checks, exit tickets, self-assessment prompts, and rubrics. Finally, you examined how to ensure alignment by matching activities to learning outcomes, avoiding overload, and providing clear success criteria. By the end of this module, you will be able to create purposeful, learner-friendly activities and assessments that strengthen understanding and build confidence.

In this assignment, you will design one learning activity and one assessment that align with a learning outcome from any ICT topic you are teaching (e.g., Word basics, file management, online safety, Excel formatting).

Module 6 teaches you how to organise your lesson files so they are easy to find, easy to share, and easy for learners to use. You will learn simple naming conventions, how to structure folders, and how to manage different versions of your work. You will also explore how to prepare your lessons for sharing by exporting to PDF, compressing files, and choosing the best method for WhatsApp, Google Drive, or offline sharing. Finally, you will learn how to test your lesson by checking readability, file size, navigation, and getting feedback from a colleague. By the end of this module, you will be able to package your digital lesson in a clean, professional, and accessible way.

In this assignment, you will organize, package, and test a digital lesson so it is ready to share with learners or colleagues. This task helps you practice the essential skills of file naming, folder organization, exporting, compressing, and checking usability.

Module 7 focuses on how to deliver your digital lesson effectively, especially in low‑bandwidth or offline environments. You will learn practical ways to share lessons using WhatsApp, USBs, printed digital materials, and offline‑first strategies. You will also explore how to support learners during delivery by giving clear instructions, offering help without overwhelming them, and encouraging independence. Finally, you will learn simple methods for monitoring engagement and understanding through quick feedback loops, basic tracking tools, and adjusting your lesson based on learner needs. By the end of this module, you will be able to deliver your digital lesson smoothly, confidently, and in a way that supports all learners.

In this assignment, you will practice delivering a digital lesson in a low‑bandwidth or offline environment. You will share your materials, guide learners through the lesson, and monitor their engagement and understanding.

Module 8 helps you develop the habit of reviewing, refining, and improving your digital lessons over time. You will learn how to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and what you want to improve next time. You will also explore how to build your own digital lesson library by creating reusable templates, organizing your materials, and sharing resources with colleagues. Finally, you will learn how to grow as a digital educator through continuous learning, joining communities of practice, and staying updated with simple, accessible tools. By the end of this module, you will be able to improve your lessons with confidence and build a sustainable, organized digital teaching practice.

In this assignment, you will reflect on a digital lesson you have already created and delivered. You will identify what worked, what didn’t, and what you want to improve next time. You will also begin building your digital lesson library by creating a reusable template and organizing your materials.

In this final project, you will create a complete digital lesson using any combination of Word, PowerPoint, PDF, images, or simple online tools. Your lesson must be clear, organized, low‑data friendly, and ready to deliver in a real Zambian classroom.