Session Flow · One session of 30-120 minutes; can be repeated for each module in a longer programme.

BOPPPS Model

BOPPPS is a six-part lesson structure from the Canadian Instructional Skills Workshop: Bridge-in, Objectives, Pre-assessment, Participatory learning, Post-assessment and Summary. It gives any single session a clear opening, a checked starting point, an active middle and a verified close.

When to use BOPPPS Model

When you need a reliable, easy-to-teach structure for a single training session or lesson, especially for new trainers or subject experts who tend to lecture.

How BOPPPS Model works

Use the six letters as a checklist when drafting a session or a single block: each part becomes a timed agenda item, with participatory learning taking the largest share. It works as the default skeleton for a 45-120 minute training module.

Phases of BOPPPS Model

  1. Bridge-in: Open with a question, story or problem that shows why the topic matters to this group. It earns attention and links to what people already know.
  2. Objectives: State in plain terms what participants will be able to do by the end. Keep it to one to three outcomes that can be checked.
  3. Pre-assessment: Find out quickly what the group already knows or can do, for example with a poll, a show of hands or a short task. Adjust the depth of the next part to what you learn.
  4. Participatory learning: The core of the session, usually about half the time: people work on the content through discussion, practice, cases or problem-solving rather than listening only.
  5. Post-assessment: Check whether the objectives were reached with a short task, quiz, demonstration or reflection. Use it to see what needs revisiting.
  6. Summary: Close by pulling together the key points, returning to the objectives and pointing to what comes next or how the learning will be used.

Key principles

  • Start from relevance and prior knowledge
  • Make outcomes explicit and checkable
  • Assess before and after, not only at the end
  • Active participation is the core of the session

Best for

  • Single training sessions and modules
  • Subject experts learning to teach
  • Train-the-trainer programmes
  • Higher education and professional courses

Considerations

  • Designed for a single lesson, so it does not shape a multi-day arc by itself.
  • Pre- and post-assessment can feel like testing; keep them light and formative with adult groups.
  • Much of the published effectiveness research comes from medical education in China, often with small samples and short follow-up.

Attribution & sources

Developed by Douglas Kerr and colleagues for the Instructional Skills Workshop, British Columbia, 1978

Primary source

Design a session with BOPPPS Model

METODIC builds a complete BOPPPS Model-based session — methods, timing, worksheets, and facilitator guides — in minutes.

Try METODIC free