From Lesson Notes To Digital Learning:Dr.Lucian Equips Teachees with Practical Presentation Skills

ARUSHA — A classroom lesson does not have to remain on paper. With the right digital skills, a teacher can transform ordinary lesson notes into a clear, visual and engaging learning experience for students.

This was the focus of a practical session facilitated by Dr. Lucian Ngezei, from the University of Dodoma (UDOM) during the ongoing digital education training, where teachers were introduced to the step-by-step development of digital teaching presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint, as well as WPS Office for teachers using tablets.

Using Photosynthesis as a practical example, Dr. Lucian guided teachers in developing a complete lesson presentation, beginning with the lesson objectives, followed by the meaning of photosynthesis, illustrations, conditions necessary for photosynthesis, its applications and a summary.

Rather than filling slides with lengthy notes, teachers were encouraged to present one key idea at a time, supported by appropriate illustrations. Dr. Lucian introduced the Six-by-Six rule to help teachers make their slides simple, readable and focused.

The training was deliberately practical. Each teacher was given 10 minutes to create slides, applying the principles demonstrated. Teachers also used Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere as another example through which they practised selecting key information, organising ideas and adding relevant visual elements.

For teachers who have not yet acquired these skills, the lesson from the training is clear: digital teaching does not require a teacher to be a technology expert. It begins with the willingness to learn and the ability to use simple tools purposefully.

A teacher who masters these skills can develop digital resources for different subjects, explain difficult concepts more effectively, stimulate classroom discussion and make learning more visual and learner-centred.

More importantly, these skills support the direction of Tanzania’s new curriculum, which places greater emphasis on competence, creativity, critical thinking, practical skills and active participation in learning.

The message from the training is therefore simple: the digital transformation of education begins with a digitally empowered teacher. Every teacher can learn these skills, and every lesson can become an opportunity to use technology meaningfully to improve learning.