lecture-designer_skill

Overview

This skill helps university instructors convert textbook chapters into engaging, evidence-based lectures and Google Slides decks. It guides instructors through measurable learning outcomes, narrative design (ABT), active-learning activities, and automated slide creation via the Google Docs MCP. The result is a ready-to-present Google Slides deck with speaker notes, an activity set, and an instructor guide.

How this skill works

I ask for course context, chapter or reading material, and instructor priorities, then run a phased workflow: define learning outcomes (Phase 0), audit content and build a narrative arc (Phase 1), design active-learning polls and ConcepTests (Phase 2), and generate slides with speaker notes using the Google Docs MCP (Phase 3). Finally I perform a temporal and cognitive-load review and produce backups and delivery notes (Phase 4). Each phase pauses for instructor confirmation.

When to use it

• Preparing a single 50–90 minute lecture from a textbook chapter
• Converting dense chapter content into a 3–4 chunk narrative arc
• Designing evidence-based active learning for large or small classes
• Producing a collaborative Google Slides deck with speaker notes via MCP
• Creating polls, ConcepTests, and a teachable instructor guide

Best practices

• Define 3–5 measurable learning outcomes before touching slides
• Use ABT (And, But, Therefore) to create a clear storytelling arc
• Chunk content into ~15-minute segments and insert state changes every 12–18 minutes
• Design ConcepTests targeting common wrong mental models; aim for 30–70% initial correct
• Keep slides minimal: one concept per slide, 24pt+ body text, and 75-word limit per slide

Example use cases

• Turn a sociology textbook chapter into a 75-minute lecture with five polls and peer-instruction moments
• Prepare a lecture on a difficult theory by isolating essential mechanisms and creating targeted ConcepTests
• Create a Google Slides deck with speaker notes and image suggestions for an assistant to finalize
• Produce an instructor guide including timing, failure-mode plans (WiFi down, running late), and post-class follow-up