First impressions are powerful and can significantly impact how people perceive and interact with others so, how you begin your modules sets the tone for everything that follows. A well-crafted introduction doesn’t just inform students about what’s coming—it activates their prior knowledge, provides clear direction, and ignites their motivation to engage deeply with the material.
The Review-Preview-Motivate Framework
One powerful approach to creating effective introductions is the “Review-Preview-Motivate” framework. This three-part structure helps bridge the gap between what students already know and what they’re about to learn, while providing the motivation to make the journey worthwhile.
The “review” component activates students’ existing knowledge, creating a foundation for new learning. By explicitly connecting new content to concepts students have already mastered, you help them build a coherent mental framework rather than accumulating isolated facts.
Implementation strategies:
- Reference specific concepts from previous modules
- Ask reflective questions about prior learning
- Acknowledge common misconceptions before addressing them
- Create brief recap statements that refresh key points
For example, a module introduction might begin: “In our previous module, we explored the fundamentals of cellular respiration. You learned how cells convert glucose into ATP through a series of chemical reactions. Now, we’ll build on that foundation to understand how different organisms have evolved variations of this process to thrive in diverse environments.”
The “preview” element provides students with a roadmap for what’s ahead. This reduces cognitive load by helping students organize new information before they encounter it in detail.
Implementation strategies:
- Outline key concepts that will be covered
- Explain how materials connect to each other
- Provide guidance on how to approach complex content
- Connect upcoming content to course learning objectives
For example: “This module introduces three major theories of cognitive development. You’ll first explore Piaget’s stage theory through both readings and video examples. Then, you’ll compare this approach with Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory and information processing perspectives. Pay particular attention to how each theory explains language acquisition, as you’ll be applying these frameworks to case studies in your upcoming assignment.”
The “motivate” component addresses the crucial “why” question. When students understand the relevance and value of what they’re learning, engagement and persistence increase dramatically.
Implementation strategies:
- Connect content to real-world applications
- Share authentic stories from practice or research
- Present intriguing problems or scenarios
- Highlight how the content relates to students’ goals
For example: “Understanding these statistical methods isn’t just an academic exercise—these are the same techniques that public health officials used to track COVID-19 transmission and that researchers are currently using to evaluate new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. The analytical skills you develop in this module will be valuable whether you pursue research, clinical practice, or policy work.”
Designing Module Introductions
Effective introductions can take many forms, including videos, podcasts, as well as images and text. These mediums can provide variety, and used along with metacognitive strategies and Socratic questions, can lead to increased exploration of a topic. These sections serve as the digital equivalent of how you would begin a face-to-face class session—orienting students, activating their interest, and setting expectations.
An effective module introduction might include:
- An attention-grabbing hook – A provocative question, surprising statistic, brief video, or relevant image that immediately engages students
- Review connections – Clear statements linking back to previous modules and activating relevant prior knowledge
- Preview of content – A concise roadmap of what students will learn and do in the module
- Motivational elements – Explicit statements about relevance, real-world applications, or connections to student goals
- Engagement guidance – Clear expectations about how students should interact with the materials
While there isn’t just one way to design an introduction, the Risepoint Design Tenets can help you select and emphasize important aspects of the content using the Review-Preview-Motivate framework.
Let’s take a look at each tenet and how they impact introductions.
Module introductions can clarify how module-level objectives connect to broader course and program goals, helping students see the purpose and progression of their learning. By explicitly mapping activities and assessments to objectives, introductions ensure coherence and alignment throughout the course.
Module introductions can highlight the real-world applications and career relevance of the module’s content, making explicit connections between academic concepts and professional skills. This context motivates students by showing how what they learn will be used beyond the classroom.
By previewing upcoming activities and explaining their purpose, module introductions encourage students to actively engage with content and participate in meaningful learning experiences. They set expectations for collaboration, problem-solving, and interactive assignments that foster deeper understanding.
Module introductions provide opportunities for instructors to welcome students, set a supportive tone, and outline ways to connect and communicate throughout the module. They also foster a sense of community by encouraging student introductions and participation in interactive forums.
Module introductions contribute to a clear, consistent, and accessible course structure by outlining objectives, activities, and expectations at the start of each unit. This transparency aligns with QM standards for clarity and organization, supporting all learners in navigating the course successfully.
Module Summaries: Bookending the Learning Experience
While introductions set the stage, module summaries provide closure and reinforce learning. Summaries bridge the gap between weeks, providing a connection from where they are to where they are going in the content.
The Review-Preview-Motivate framework can be adapted for summaries as well:
- Review becomes a recap of key concepts and skills developed in the module
- Preview transitions to upcoming modules or suggests further applications
- Motivate reinforces the value of what was learned and builds momentum
For example, a summary might state, “Throughout this module, you’ve explored how ethical frameworks can guide responsible data science practice. You’ve analyzed cases using utilitarian, deontological, and virtue ethics approaches, and developed strategies for addressing common ethical dilemmas. The ethical reasoning skills you’ve developed this week are increasingly valued across industries. As one student from last year’s cohort recently shared: “I referenced our ethics case studies during a job interview, and the hiring manager was impressed that I could articulate a structured approach to handling sensitive data. It definitely helped me stand out from other candidates.”
In fact, introductions, summaries and looking ahead sections act as a powerful trio—queuing up content, connecting topics and reducing information silo. Remember that as the subject matter expert, connections that seem obvious to you may be invisible to your students. By explicitly connecting new content to existing knowledge, providing clear roadmaps, and highlighting relevance, you help students construct meaningful knowledge structures rather than accumulating isolated facts.
Conclusion
Taking the time to craft thoughtful introductions and summaries using the Review-Preview-Motivate framework is a relatively small investment that yields significant returns in student engagement, comprehension, and persistence—you’re guiding students in developing the integrated understanding that characterizes true expertise.
