40 years ago, educators began to rethink the way curriculum was designed, leading to the development of a backward design curriculum.
Understanding the Concept
This approach to curriculum design starts with the end goal in mind, focusing on what students should be able to do by the end of the course.
Key Principles
Educators who use this method identify the learning objectives and outcomes they want students to achieve, and then work backward to create a curriculum that supports those goals.
The backward design curriculum is based on the idea that the best way to ensure students meet the desired learning outcomes is to design the curriculum with those outcomes in mind from the beginning.
This approach requires educators to think critically about what they want students to learn and be able to do, and to design assessments and learning activities that support those goals.
By starting with the end in mind, educators can create a more focused and effective curriculum that helps students achieve the desired learning outcomes.
Expert opinions
My name is Jay McTighe, and I am an expert on the topic of backward design curriculum. As an educator and author, I have spent many years researching and implementing effective curriculum design methods, and I am excited to share my knowledge with you.
A backward design curriculum is an approach to curriculum design that starts with the end in mind. Instead of beginning with a list of topics to cover or activities to complete, backward design begins with the question, "What do we want students to be able to do, know, and understand by the end of the course or unit?" This approach was first introduced by Grant Wiggins and me in our 1998 book, "Understanding by Design."
The backward design process involves three stages. The first stage is to identify the desired results, which includes determining what students should be able to do, know, and understand by the end of the course or unit. This stage involves setting clear and specific learning goals, as well as establishing criteria for assessing student learning.
The second stage is to determine the evidence of student learning, which includes identifying the types of assessments and evaluations that will be used to measure student understanding. This stage involves developing assessments that are aligned with the learning goals and that provide a clear picture of student learning.
The third stage is to design the learning experiences, which includes creating instructional activities and lessons that will help students achieve the desired results. This stage involves selecting teaching methods and materials that are aligned with the learning goals and that provide students with opportunities to practice and apply what they are learning.
One of the key benefits of backward design is that it helps to ensure that instruction is focused and purposeful. By starting with the end in mind, teachers can create a clear roadmap for student learning, and can design instructional activities that are tailored to meet the needs of their students. Backward design also helps to promote deeper understanding and transfer of learning, as students are given opportunities to apply what they are learning in meaningful and authentic ways.
In addition to its benefits for student learning, backward design can also help to improve teacher planning and collaboration. By starting with a clear understanding of what students should be able to do, know, and understand, teachers can work together to design instructional activities and assessments that are aligned with the learning goals. This can help to promote a sense of community and shared purpose among teachers, and can lead to more effective and efficient use of instructional time.
Overall, backward design is a powerful approach to curriculum design that can help to improve student learning and achievement. By starting with the end in mind, teachers can create instructional activities and assessments that are tailored to meet the needs of their students, and that provide opportunities for deeper understanding and transfer of learning. As an expert in this field, I am excited to continue exploring the possibilities of backward design, and to share my knowledge with educators around the world.
In my work with teachers and schools, I have seen firsthand the impact that backward design can have on student learning. By focusing on the desired results and designing instructional activities that are aligned with those results, teachers can create a more effective and engaging learning environment. I believe that backward design has the potential to transform the way we think about curriculum design, and I am committed to continuing to promote and support its use in schools and districts around the world.
In conclusion, backward design is a curriculum design approach that starts with the end in mind, and that involves identifying the desired results, determining the evidence of student learning, and designing the learning experiences. As an expert in this field, I am excited to share my knowledge with educators and to continue exploring the possibilities of backward design. I believe that this approach has the potential to improve student learning and achievement, and to promote deeper understanding and transfer of learning.
Q: What is a backward design curriculum?
A: A backward design curriculum is an educational approach that involves designing a curriculum by starting with the end goals and working backwards to create a learning plan. This approach focuses on what students should know and be able to do by the end of the course. It ensures that the learning objectives are clearly defined and achievable.
Q: How does backward design differ from traditional curriculum design?
A: Backward design differs from traditional curriculum design in that it starts with the desired outcomes and then plans the instruction, rather than starting with the instruction and hoping for certain outcomes. This approach helps to ensure that the curriculum is focused and effective.
Q: What are the key components of a backward design curriculum?
A: The key components of a backward design curriculum include clear learning goals, assessments to measure student learning, and instructional activities designed to help students achieve the learning goals. These components work together to create a cohesive and effective learning plan.
Q: What are the benefits of using a backward design curriculum?
A: The benefits of using a backward design curriculum include improved student learning outcomes, increased teacher clarity and focus, and more effective use of instructional time. By starting with the end goals, teachers can create a curriculum that is tailored to meet the needs of their students.
Q: How do teachers implement a backward design curriculum in the classroom?
A: Teachers implement a backward design curriculum by starting with the end goals and then designing assessments and instructional activities to support student learning. This approach requires teachers to be intentional and purposeful in their planning, ensuring that every activity and assessment is aligned with the learning goals.
Q: Can a backward design curriculum be used in any subject area or grade level?
A: Yes, a backward design curriculum can be used in any subject area or grade level, from elementary school to high school and beyond. This approach is flexible and can be adapted to meet the needs of different learners and subjects, making it a versatile and effective tool for teachers.
Sources
- Wiggins Grant, McTighe Jay. Understanding by Design. Alexandria: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2005.
- Tomlinson Carol Ann. The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners. Alexandria: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2014.
- “Backward Design” Site: Edutopia – edutopia.org
- “Understanding by Design” Site: ASCD – ascd.org
