Explore few examples of engaging module summaries. Each uses a slightly different approach, highlighting different goals of the summary. All demonstrate how you can reinforce learning, provide guidance, and maintain your presence at the end of a module.
Example 1: Reinforce, support, and gather feedback
This example combines encouragement, clear next steps, and a quick feedback opportunity. It reminds students of what they accomplished, sets expectations for grading, and gives you insight into where they may still need support.
Module summary
Great work this week! Now that you’ve submitted your first essay, I want to encourage you to take a deep breath. Go take some time to do something you enjoy and decompress! (1) You can expect feedback, a completed rubric, and a grade on that essay by the end of the day on Wednesday. If you have any questions about any of my notes or your grade, don’t hesitate to send me a message or attend my scheduled office hours! (2)
Before you move on to the next module, take a moment to reflect and give feedback:
[Embedded poll activity] (3)
Are there topics that we covered this week that you would like additional information or clarification on?
You can respond once
- No – I feel comfortable with all of the topics we covered this week
- Yes – I would like additional information/clarification on the parts of speech
- Yes – I would like additional information/clarification on common punctuation
- Yes – I would like additional information/clarification on declarative sentences
Goals
- Encourage students and applaud their hard work!
- Remind them of grading turnaround time.
- Collect quick data and feedback from students through an interactive poll.
Example 2: Summarize and connect forward
This summary focuses on reinforcing key concepts and helping students see how the material connects to what comes next. It highlights the most important ideas and provides a transition to the upcoming module.
Module summary
Congratulations! You’ve completed Module 1.
Here’s a summary of what you’ve learned: (1)
- There are huge gaps between the economic well-being of rich countries and poor.
- Productivity determines richness or poorness of countries.
- The factors that enhance productivity include natural endowments, effort, specialization and trade, know-how, and quality of institutions.
- Dramatic increases in wealth began only after the industrial revolution, and only in countries that developed industrial capacity. When countries are willing to defer consumption and invest money and attention in quality institutions, they become richer.
- GDP is the measurement of productivity and well-being of countries but it has its limitations as a measure of happiness and well-being.
Wrapping up: (2)
Be sure to review your reading, notes and mini lectures as you continue to research and evaluate the economics of your country of choice. Take time to do additional independent research on areas or topics that interest you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your instructor if you have questions or reflections that you want to share.
In the next section, you’ll learn about government intervention in markets. (3)
Goals
- Provide a high-level overview of the main concepts students should remember.
- Remind what was due and that you are there to help.
- Connect to the next section. This could be expanded even more to help students make critical connections.
Example 3: Check understanding before moving on
This approach includes a brief summary followed by a knowledge check. It helps students confirm their understanding before progressing and encourages them to review if needed.
Module summary
Congratulations! You’ve completed Module 2!
Here’s a summary of what you’ve learned: (1)
1. Community theoretical models
- Milio’s Framework
- Health belief model
- Upstream model
- Social Ecology Model
- Pender’s Health Promotion Model
- Theory of reasoned action
2. Behavior change theories
- Prochaska and DiClemente’s stages of change (Transtheoretical Model)
- PRECEDE – PROCEED model
Below is a brief knowledge check to help you review a few of this week’s main points. (2)
Module 2 – Knowledge Check [linked activity in the course]
In the next section, you’ll learn about Communities.
Goals
- Summarize what was learned.
- Provide a knowledge check to make sure students understand the key concepts and take time to review before moving on.
Example 4: Reflect and make connections
This approach includes a brief summary followed by a knowledge check. It helps students confirm their understanding before progressing and encourages them to review if needed.
Closing thoughts
Through this week, you have hopefully acquired a solid grounding in evidence-based practice. To bring us full circle, here’s a link to James McCormack’s Coldplay video we watched at the beginning of the week. While you are watching, take a minute to note the topics that seem more familiar and which topics you would expect to cover in the coming weeks. (1)
[Embedded YouTube video]
Goals
- Help students make meaningful connections across an entire course. You can also include a video or article from the beginning of the module as a way for students to reassess their understanding now that they have completed the module.
Effective module summaries do more than restate content. They reinforce key ideas, acknowledge student effort, and help students make connections between what they have learned and what comes next. Whether you choose to include reflection, feedback opportunities, or a brief knowledge check, the goal is the same: help students pause, process, and prepare to move forward with confidence.
