Try This Simple Asynchronous Online Lesson Design Template

We know there is a lot that goes into a high quality asynchronous lesson. If designing online is new to you, you might be feeling overwhelmed right now. That's completely understandable! There are a few things you can focus on to begin with that will have a big impact on the asynchronous learning opportunities you provide your students. 

Check out the following infographic with a four-step on-demand lesson design template. This is not the only way to design an online lesson that students work through at their own pace, but it is one solid example. If you include these four things in your digital lesson, you can be sure that you will have a highly interactive and engaging lesson that will give you valuable data to help you make better use of your live or face-to-face time with students. 

For a full-size PDF version: On-Demand Lesson Template PDF 

Step 1: Introduction

Welcome your students and set expectations. You might even create a video showing students what they are going to be doing for the lesson. These demonstrations are even more helpful right before each activity. Use this time to also activate prior knowledge.

Step 2: Direct Instruction

Create a video lesson. Consider how students will actively engage with the material. 

• Will you include the video in an EdPuzzle and make it interactive? 
• Will you give stop and reflect prompts for students to write down on a piece of paper? 
• How will you know students watched it?

Keep videos under 6 minutes. If you need longer, break up the video into smaller chunks with activities between.

Step 3: Collaboration and Interaction

Create an opportunity for students to work together. Google or Microsoft tools are great for this. You can also leverage tools like Flipgrid, Padlet, or the discussion board. 

Respond to posts, either some individually and/or by addressing the whole class in a video announcement.

Step 4: Independent Reflection and/or Assessment

Create an opportunity for students to independently practice or get private feedback from you that guides their learning. This could be a simple metacognitive activity asking students to reflect on what they understand or what they are struggling with. 

Using This Template

Use the data from asynchronous or on-demand lessons like these to drive your small group instruction. When we intentionally design independent learning experiences to give us data about our students' progression toward mastery plus create opportunities for them to engage with each other in meaningful ways, our ability to effectively teach online or in a blended environment grows. 

If you would like to map out a lesson using this template, either independently or with your team, check out the following Spark Post. Clicking on the image below will take you to a remixable template of an Adobe Spark Post. Select remix this design below the image to get your own editable copy. 

Make your own version of this template at Adobe Spark

Download your finished template as an image and share it on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #PerfectBlendBook. I'd love for you to tag me in your post (@micheeaton) to see what you are planning!