Understanding By Design: A Comprehensive Guide to Effective Curriculum Planning
Effective curriculum planning is one of the most important aspects of teaching. It involves designing a plan that is aligned with the learning objectives, engaging for students, and leads to meaningful learning outcomes. One of the most effective approaches to curriculum planning is Understanding By Design (UBD).
UBD is a comprehensive framework that educators can use to design and implement effective curriculum. Developed by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe in the late 1990s, UBD is based on the idea that learning should be focused on what students should understand and be able to do, rather than just the content that is taught.
The Three Stages of UBD
UBD consists of three stages: stage 1 – identifying desired results, stage 2 – determining acceptable evidence, and stage 3 – planning the learning experiences. These stages build upon each other and help teachers to plan a curriculum that facilitates deep understanding.
Stage 1: Identifying Desired Results
The first stage of UBD involves identifying the desired results of learning – the knowledge and skills that students should be able to demonstrate at the end of the unit or course. This stage involves a focus on big ideas, essential questions, and enduring understandings. By focusing on these, teachers can create a curriculum that is meaningful for students and helps them to connect their learning to the real world.
Stage 2: Determining Acceptable Evidence
The second stage of UBD involves determining the assessment evidence that will be used to measure whether students have achieved the desired results. This stage involves identifying the types of assessments that will be used, the criteria that will be used to assess student work, and the performance levels that will be expected.
Stage 3: Planning the Learning Experiences
The third stage of UBD involves planning the learning experiences that will lead to the desired results. This stage involves selecting appropriate learning activities, resources, materials, and teaching strategies to support student learning and understanding. The focus is on providing students with opportunities to engage with the content at a deep level and to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world situations.
The Benefits of Using UBD
By using UBD, teachers can create a curriculum that is aligned with the learning objectives, engaging for students, and leads to meaningful learning outcomes. UBD focuses on the development of deep understanding, rather than just the acquisition of knowledge, and helps to create a curriculum that is relevant and meaningful for students.
Relevant Examples:
One example is a unit on environmental sustainability in middle school science. The desired results may include the ability to identify factors that contribute to environmental degradation and to propose solutions to these problems. The acceptable evidence may include projects, such as building a model of a sustainable home or creating a public service announcement about ways to reduce water usage. The learning experiences may involve researching and analyzing case studies of environmental disasters, studying the environmental impact of local businesses, and connecting with local organizations that promote environmental sustainability.
Another example is a unit on immigration in high school social studies. The desired results may include an understanding of the push and pull factors that contribute to immigration and the impact of immigration on society. The acceptable evidence may include written essays, oral presentations, and debates. The learning experiences may involve research into the history of immigration, analysis of current immigration policies, and small-group discussions of the impact of immigration on local communities.
Conclusion
Understanding By Design is a powerful framework that teachers can use to design and implement effective curriculum. By focusing on the desired results, determining acceptable evidence, and planning engaging learning experiences, teachers can create a curriculum that facilitates deep understanding and meaningful learning outcomes. By using UBD in their curriculum planning, teachers can help students to develop the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s complex and rapidly changing world.
