Elizabeth Armetta

November 2011

Understanding by Design is a mode that focuses on teaching for understanding. The key concept used in Understanding by Design is called “backward design”. The way this concept works is looking for the desired outcome before creating a curriculum, assessment and then lesson plans. Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe created this model. Understanding by Design is a handbook that is taught in education classes in over 150 universities. Clearly the concepts in the handbook have become wide spread but there are some ideas that are missing from the model. (authenticeducation.org)

The concept of Backward Design has a good theory behind it but it is difficult to find teachers are capable of conveying information to students to allow them to have learning experiences. Backward Design encourages higher levels of thinking, which is not achieved by all people. In fact majority of studies have reported that about 40 to 60 percent of college students have reached abstract thinking. It takes a specific type teacher that is able to execute this type of lesson. Many newer teachers do not have the skills to help guide students rather than spoon-fed information to them. (Logic Behind Backward Design)

Similarly, in order to get new teachers to the proper level of teaching to fit the concept of Backward Design they need to seek outside help and spend money on workshops, books, templates and handbooks. Money and time are some problems with enforcing this style of lesson planning. Backward Design encourages not using textbooks but many resources are being used such as technology that begins to put strains on the schools funding. Just the same when planning lessons teachers need to find alternate resources to help provide substance to their lessons. This style of teaching depends on the exploration of a subject and sometimes students can easily come to a conclusion while at other times they have a difficult time reaching the goal. It is difficult to allow this to happen in the classroom when there is so much expectation to complete concepts by specific times. State standards limit the ability to explore areas in-depth. (Learn More)

Backward Design is a style of lesson planning that has a number of good aspects but there are negatives that can out way the pros. While Backward Design is being taught all over the United States the execution of its use, runs into several difficulties. Backward Design relies on a level of learning that most people are not capable of reaching. Teachers need to fine-tune their skills before they are at the level in which to perform this type of teaching. While this style has a number of great concepts it is difficult for many schools to have enough money to fund the concept.

http://www.authenticeducation.org/ubd/ubd.lasso Copyright 2011,Authentic Education, Hopewell, NJ. Retreived 11/11

The Logic Behind Backword Design (2004), Understanding By Design Handbook, http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/books/mctighe2004_intro.pdf Retreived 11/11.

Learn More. Understanding by Design] website. Retrieved 11/1/11.