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Why
Why
"The Backwards Design model focuses on learning goals as a result of instruction before planning learning activities and teaching methods. While it is important to think about what content to teach and how you would like to teach it, the focus should first be on the desired outcomes of the curriculum. Using a backwards design offers a concrete way of communicating learning expectations. Creating a clear set of learning expectations using Understanding by Design often creates higher student achievement because the organized approach outlines what is to be learned at the end of a lesson or unit. Wiggins and McTighe (2005) described Understanding by Design through three stages: a) identify desired results, b) determine acceptable evidence, and c) plan learning experiences and instruction." Source
What?
What?
Jay McTighe explains what Understanding by Design is and why it is a powerful tool in planning units of instruction for teaching and learning.
"Understanding by Design is a book written by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe that offers a framework for designing courses and content units called “Backward Design.” Instructors typically approach course design in a “forward design” manner, meaning they consider the learning activities (how to teach the content), develop assessments around their learning activities, then attempt to draw connections to the learning goals of the course. In contrast, the backward design approach has instructors consider the learning goals of the course first. These learning goals embody the knowledge and skills instructors want their students to have learned when they leave the course. Once the learning goals have been established, the second stage involves consideration of assessment. The backward design framework suggests that instructors should consider these overarching learning goals and how students will be assessed prior to consideration of how to teach the content. For this reason, backward design is considered a much more intentional approach to course design than traditional methods of design." Source
How
How
NPS educators engaged in extensive professional learning around Understanding by Design. See resources below from past professional learning sessions.
Understanding by Design LiveBinder (access code: nps123): This resource contains information about each of the three stages of UbD, checklists and guides to assist teachers when developing units, detailed information about performance tasks and rubrics, and access to the complete "Understanding by Design" manual.
Step-by-step Guides for developing units using UbD:
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