The Educator's Checklist: Four Questions for Effective Lessons and Trainings

How many times have you put together a lesson, or used one from a curriculum or colleague, only to find that it falls flat? Whether working with children or adults, I've found that asking myself the same four questions before any lesson ensures its chances of success.

Why do people need to know this?

Before starting any lesson, it's important to re-examine why you're teaching it. This holds true no matter how long you’ve been an educator or how often you've taught a particular topic. If you can’t clearly explain why something is worth learning, you’re not ready to teach it. No one wants to engage in busywork that feels pointless.

What is the point of this particular lesson?

Often, a lesson that claims to teach one thing ends up focusing on something else. For example, a writing lesson may inadvertently become an art project, or a training session on new software might turn into a justification of management's decisions. Viewing the lesson through the eyes of the learner helps you determine whether it truly meets their needs. Consider how much time is spent on each task and how it aligns with the learning objectives. You may discover that less time is devoted to actual learning than you anticipated.

What are the minimum requirements for mastery?

At what point can you confidently say the lesson has been effective? Identifying the minimum requirements for mastery beforehand is crucial, especially when working with obstinate children or busy adults. These benchmarks allow you to make real-time adjustments and tailor the content to different audiences as needed.

What is the environment like?

Lessons that work in person often require significant modifications for a virtual setting, and vice versa—something that became especially clear during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s also important to consider the physical environment. Seating arrangements, lighting, and even wall decorations can affect how material is received, so be sure to adjust accordingly.

While not every lesson or training will land perfectly, pausing to ask these four questions during the planning process can significantly increase your chances of success.