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M2 – Unit 2: Self-nudging strategies to build digital skills

UNIT PROGRESS

2.1 Understanding self-nudging in digital teaching

What is self-nudging?

Self-nudging means creating your own prompts, reminders, or structures that guide you toward your digital teaching goals. It’s like designing a gentle support system by shaping your environment, routines, and mindset so desired actions become natural.

Instead of relying only on bursts of motivation, self-nudging builds steady momentum by embedding small cues into your teaching life, making progress more likely.

How can self-nudging support you?

Low effort
Self-nudges integrate into your routine without adding stress. For example, set a 5-minute calendar reminder every Friday to try a small digital tweak in your lesson plan.

Personalised
Select tools or prompts that fit your teaching style. One educator may use a wall chart; another prefers a mobile app notification.

Encouraging
Focus on progress, not perfection.
Small steps and experiments help you grow.

Why self-nudging matters

Digital teaching can feel overwhelming, especially when motivation fades. Self-nudging keeps you consistent without pressure. Even on busy days, small reminders and prompts keep you moving forward. Over time, these manageable steps build confidence, reduce frustration, and turn digital teaching into a sustainable habit.

2.2 Self-nudging strategies for educators

Self-nudging draws on principles from behavioural science. People respond strongly to visible reminders, tracking progress, and small, immediate rewards. By creating these cues for yourself, you reduce mental effort, follow through more easily, and turn desired actions into routines.

Key steps of self-nudging: Set Goals – Track Progress – Reflect – Reward

  • Set your digital goals
    Clarify priorities to make skill-building structured and motivating. Start with small, achievable goals, such as integrating a short interactive activity or trying a new feedback tool. Use visual tools to make your goals concrete.

Example: Self-nudge 1 – The Digital Breakthrough Board – by Unicam
Create a visual board to display your digital goals. (Read more)

  • Track your progress
    Track the new skills or digital tools you’ve tried. Recording what you do helps you see your progress, recognise patterns, and stay motivated.

Example: Simple weekly tracker
Keep a short table with the date, the tool or activity you tried, and a brief note on whether it worked or needs adjustment.

  • Reflect on your experiences
    Regular reflection turns learning into improvements. Consider successes, challenges, and how strategies apply to other contexts.
    • What digital tools or methods you used and why
    • What worked well and what challenges you faced
    • How students responded
    • Ideas for improvements or adjustments for next time

Example: Self-nudge 2 – One-Minute Digital Diary – by Unicam
After each class, take a few minutes to make notes. (Read more)

  • Motivate yourself with rewards
    Link teaching goals to small, meaningful rewards. Celebrate milestones with a break, a treat, trying a new tool, or sharing success with colleagues.

Example: Self-nudge 3 – The Digital Deal – by Unicam
Commit to a goal and promise yourself a reward. (Read more)

2.3 Designing your own self-nudges

Thoughtful planning makes self-nudges practical, personal, and easier to maintain as part of your regular teaching routine.

  • Decide on the target behaviour
    Identify which digital teaching action(s) you want to encourage, such as:
    • Trying a new digital tool or platform
    • Integrating a short digital activity into a lesson
    • Recording or sharing student feedback digitally
    • Analysing lesson outcomes
    • Engaging with micro-learning content for professional growth
  • Identify natural moments for nudges
    Look for natural points in your routine for small prompts, like during lesson planning, after class, or when reviewing student work.

Example: Place a sticky note on your lesson plan reminding you to try a new interactive activity, or set a calendar alert at the end of the week to reflect on what worked and what could be improved.

  • Choose a reminder style
    Make reminders noticeable and flexible. Combine types if needed:
    • Physical cues: sticky notes, posters, checklists
    • Digital cues: calendar alerts, phone alerts, LMS reminders
    • Social cues: brief check-ins, peer accountability, collaboration
  • Link nudges to meaningful rewards
    Consider what motivates you and link each nudge to a meaningful reward.

Example: After a new activity, take a break, enjoy a coffee, try a tool, note a success, or share a quick thought with a colleague.

  • Plan and adapt
    Keep your plan simple. Focus on one or two nudges per goal. Anticipate obstacles, such as forgetting prompts, time constraints, or technical issues, and plan adjustments.

    Example: If you forget calendar alerts, place reminders in a visible desk area or set them to repeat weekly.

Watch

Watch the following Ted Talk where Johannes Siebert, expert in Decision Sciences and Behavioral Economics, explains how to become your own decision architect and make better, value-focused choices to improve your life.

2.4 Next steps - from understanding to action

Designing self-nudges is just the start. The goal is to move beyond temporary prompts. By noticing patterns, reviewing your experiences, and adjusting, they form consistent routines that make digital teaching manageable and effective.

  • Focus on patterns, not isolated actions
    Notice which nudges fit your workflow and generate the most progress. Over time, these patterns show where small adjustments have the biggest impact.
  • Improving and sustaining your self-nudges
    Observe what works and what doesn’t. Use these insights to refine your nudges, adjust rewards, or try new approaches. Check in regularly, note achievements and challenges, and keep progress visible to maintain motivation and continue developing your digital skills.
  • Turning nudges into habits
    Consistently applying small, thoughtful nudges transforms your goals into lasting habits. Gradually, digital teaching becomes a natural part of your routine. With time, this approach builds both confidence and competence, enabling you to use digital tools effectively without added stress.
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