Top 10 tips for lesson planning to save 80% of your time in 2023

Effective lesson planning optimizes teaching efficiency and saves time in today's fast-paced educational environment. As trainers, instructors, teachers, coaches, and managers, we must simplify our planning process while addressing learners' demands.

This article uses technology, planning, cooperation, and a student-centered approach to help you save 80% of your time in 2023. Let's examine how these ideas may transform your planning and help you create powerful and engaging learning experiences.

Use technology to your advantage

In the digital age, leveraging technology can significantly streamline your lesson planning process. Embrace the benefits of online tools specifically designed for educators, which offer a plethora of resources to enhance your planning efficiency.

These tools not only allow you to create and organize lesson materials seamlessly but also facilitate easy collaboration and sharing with other teachers. Trainizi is an interactive training tool leveraging Gamification & AI to maximize engagement and data collection for all training purposes. Taking advantage of features such as templates, pre-made activities, and interactive multimedia elements, Trainizi can engage and inspire your students. By harnessing the power of technology, you can save time and elevate the quality of your lesson plans.

Get organized

Maintaining an organized approach is paramount when it comes to efficient lesson planning. Adopting a digital teacher planner enables you to store and access your plans, resources, and important information from any device. Ensure that your planner has user-friendly features, such as customizable templates, reminders, and the ability to categorize and tag your content. By centralizing your planning materials in one place, you can eliminate the hassle of sifting through multiple files and folders, allowing for a smoother and more streamlined planning experience.

Plan with a partner

Collaboration is a powerful strategy for saving time and generating fresh ideas. If possible, consider planning with a partner, whether it be a colleague training the same subject or a fellow trainer in your level. Through shared brainstorming sessions and division of tasks, you can benefit from diverse perspectives and lighten your individual workload.

Collaborative planning promotes creativity, fosters a supportive professional community, and allows for the exchange of best practices. Embrace the opportunity to collaborate and witness the positive impact it can have on your planning efficiency.

Set aside dedicated planning time

Establishing dedicated time for planning is essential to ensure that this crucial aspect of your role receives the attention it deserves.

• Designate a quiet, distraction-free space where you can focus solely on planning.
• Treat this time as sacred and protect it from interruptions and external demands.

By creating a conducive environment and honoring dedicated planning time, you can delve deep into your materials, engage in thoughtful reflection, and produce high-quality lesson plans without the pressure of time constraints.

Be disciplined

While planning is crucial, it is equally important to exercise discipline and recognize when to stop.

• Avoid falling into the trap of overplanning or spending excessive amounts of time perfecting every aspect of your lessons.
• Set clear boundaries and allocate a reasonable amount of time for planning each day or week.
• Adhere to these limits, and resist the temptation to endlessly tweak or add unnecessary details.

By being disciplined and efficient in your planning process, you can strike a balance between thoroughness and time management.

Avoid overly rigid planning formats

Flexibility is key in adapting to the needs of your trainees and the ever-changing dynamics of the classroom.

• Avoid getting trapped in overly rigid planning formats that stifle creativity and individuality.
• While some structure is necessary, embrace planning frameworks that allow for customization and flexibility.
• Opt for templates or planning models that accommodate different learning styles and instructional approaches.

By embracing adaptable planning formats, you can tailor your lessons to meet the unique requirements of your trainees while saving time in the process.

Don't rely on off-the-shelf plans

Although off-the-shelf lesson plans might seem convenient, they rarely address the specific needs of your trainees. Every training is unique, and your learners require tailored instruction that caters to their abilities, interests, and learning styles. Develop the habit of creating customized lesson plans that align with your trainees' needs and curriculum objectives. By investing time and effort into designing lessons specifically for your training session, you will deliver more impactful and meaningful learning experiences.

Plan for your trainees

• Always keep your students at the forefront of your planning process.
• Take into account their diverse needs, abilities, and interests when designing lessons.
• Consider incorporating differentiated instruction strategies to cater to individual learning styles and provide opportunities for all trainees to succeed.
• Regularly assess and reflect on your trainees' progress and adjust your lesson plans accordingly.

By planning with your trainees in mind, you ensure that your instructional approach is student-centered, resulting in more engaging and effective lessons.

Don't plan for others

While it is important to consider external expectations and standards, avoid getting caught up in planning solely to satisfy others, such as external evaluators.

• Focus on what works best for you and your trainees.
• Trust your professional expertise and align your planning decisions with your instructional goals.

By staying true to your training philosophy and prioritizing your trainees needs, you will create a more authentic and meaningful learning experience.

Seek advice from other teachers

One of the most valuable resources at your disposal is the collective wisdom of experienced educators.

• Don't hesitate to seek advice and guidance from your fellow teachers.
• Engage in professional learning communities, attend workshops or conferences, and participate in online forums or social media groups.

By tapping into the expertise of others, you can gain new perspectives, discover time-saving planning techniques, and benefit from tried-and-tested strategies. Learning from the experiences of fellow educators can inspire you to innovate and refine your lesson planning process.

Let's plan your training session now with our time-saving Trainizi!

Professor Kyriacou of the Department of Education (University of York) explained that planning is essential for being successful at training, both in terms of the kind of learning you support and in maintaining your own mental health and excitement for your work. 

By preparing training session, trainers, instructors, teachers, coaches, and managers can deliver most valuable knowledge and sharings to trainees, hence significantly enhancing trainee engagement levels and make training sessions more fun. Trainizi tool can help you with your planning! Powered by Gamification & AI technology, Trainizi can save you time in creating training session on your own. Let’s start making your own games with Trainizi now!