What should I include in an online course lesson?
An online course lesson should include a clear objective, focused teaching content, examples or demonstrations, an activity for practice, and a short review or check for understanding. Add only material that supports the lesson goal. Useful instructions, downloadable resources, and a clear next step can make the lesson easier to complete and revisit.
What to include in an online course lesson
Every lesson should begin with a clear objective. Tell learners what they should know or be able to do after completing it. A specific objective also helps you decide which information belongs in the lesson and which information should be left for another section.
Core lesson elements
- Objective: State the expected result in plain language.
- Explanation: Introduce the main idea, process, or skill without unnecessary detail.
- Example: Show how the idea works in a realistic situation.
- Demonstration: Model the process when learners need to see actions in sequence.
- Practice: Give learners a task they can complete themselves.
- Review: Recap the main points and check whether the objective was met.
Keep the lesson focused
Limit each lesson to one main topic or a small group of closely related ideas. Use headings, short paragraphs, numbered steps, and visuals to make the material easier to scan. Explain technical terms the first time they appear.
Add practical support
Include a checklist, template, worksheet, reference file, or links when these help learners complete the task. Make sure every resource is described clearly and is available in the format learners need.
End with direction
Tell learners what to do next. This might be a quiz, a practice assignment, another lesson, or a project. If the lesson is part of a larger course, explain how its skill connects to the next stage.
Before publishing, complete the lesson yourself and ask another person to follow it. Their questions often reveal missing instructions or unclear examples.