Frequently Asked Questions:

Why do EVA lessons use HTML instead of PowerPoint?

This is deliberate — and it is one of the things that makes EVA fundamentally different. HTML gives us interactive capability that PowerPoint simply cannot offer: reveal toggles that pace classroom discussion, collapsible teacher guidance that stays hidden from students, embedded timers, dynamic grids, and responsive layouts that work on any screen size. A PowerPoint slide is static — it shows everything at once and gives you no control over the sequence of a dialogic activity. EVA lessons are designed so that information is revealed at exactly the right moment, supporting the flow of structured talk.

How are EVA lessons different from other educational resources?

Most oracy resources focus on performance — presenting, debating, public speaking. These are valuable skills, but they are not the same as using talk to develop thinking. EVA is built on a different premise entirely: that oracy is at its most powerful when it is the mechanism through which students reason, challenge, and construct understanding together. This is dialogic teaching — and it is what the research shows accelerates progress.

Do I need any special software to use EVA resources?

No. EVA lessons are delivered as HTML files that open in any web browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. There is nothing to install, no subscription platform to log in to, and no internet connection required once the file is downloaded. Open the file, connect to your classroom display, and you are ready to teach.

Can I edit EVA lessons for my own needs?

Yes — and we encourage it. Every EVA™ lesson includes a cog icon — simply click it to enter edit mode. Change the sources to match your school context, adjust the timing, swap in local history examples, modify the sentence stems — make it yours. No technical knowledge required. The dialogic structure is the foundation; your professional knowledge shapes how it lands with your students.

How do I request specific content or customisation?

Contact us directly. We work with schools to build units tailored to their curriculum, exam board, and local context. If you need a unit on a specific topic, want lessons adapted for a particular key stage, or have a school improvement priority around oracy, we can design resources that fit. Every EVA unit is built to the same research-grounded specification — whether it is from our catalogue or created bespoke for your school.

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Troubleshooting:

Help — all I see is code!

This means your computer is opening the HTML file in a text editor instead of a web browser. It is a simple fix:

1. Right-click the lesson file
2. Select “Open with”
3. Choose your browser — Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox

That’s it. The lesson will display exactly as intended. No software to install, no accounts to create, no internet connection required once downloaded.

The lesson doesn’t display properly

Make sure you are opening the file in a modern browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox). Older versions of Internet Explorer are not supported. If the layout looks broken, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache. If the issue persists, contact us with a screenshot and we will help.

Images aren’t loading

All images in EVA lessons are embedded directly in the HTML file, so they should work offline. If images are missing, the file may have been corrupted during download. Try re-downloading the lesson file. If the problem continues, contact us and we will send a fresh copy.

⚙️ How do I use the cog icon to edit lessons?

Every EVA lesson includes a cog icon. Click it to enter edit mode — you can then change sources, adjust timings, modify sentence stems, and adapt content to suit your school context. No technical knowledge required. When you are finished, your changes are saved automatically. The dialogic structure remains intact; you are customising the content within it.