Unlocking the Power of Understanding By Design: Exploring Jay Mctighe's Framework

Are you a teacher who wants to enhance your instructional strategies and cultivate a deeper level of student understanding? Look no further than the innovative approach known as Understanding By Design (UBD) by Jay Mctighe. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of UBD and explore how it can revolutionize your teaching methods.

What is Understanding By Design?

Understanding By Design is an educational framework developed by the renowned educator, Jay Mctighe. It focuses on structuring lessons and designing curricula with the end goal of promoting student understanding. Unlike traditional approaches that prioritize content coverage, UBD emphasizes conceptual learning and critical thinking skills.

At the heart of UBD lies the idea of "backward design," where teachers start with the desired outcome and then design instructional activities and assessments to reach that goal. This approach ensures that students acquire deep knowledge and transferable skills, enabling them to apply their understanding in real-world contexts.

Understanding by Design

by Jay McTighe(2nd Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8817 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	370 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

The Three Stages of Understanding By Design

UBD comprises three key stages: identifying desired results, determining acceptable evidence, and planning learning experiences and instruction.

1. Identifying Desired Results

The first stage involves defining what students should understand, know, and be able to do by the end of the unit or course. By identifying essential questions and enduring understandings, teachers can set clear learning goals. These goals focus not just on knowledge acquisition but also on the development of essential skills and the ability to transfer learning to new situations.

Properly framing the desired results ensures that instruction is coherent and purposeful, guiding students towards meaningful learning experiences.

2. Determining Acceptable Evidence

Once the desired results are established, teachers need to design assessments that provide evidence of student understanding. Traditional tests may not capture the full extent of a student's knowledge and abilities, so alternative forms of assessment, such as performance tasks or projects, are often incorporated into UBD units.

By aligning the assessments with the desired results, teachers ensure that they accurately measure students' conceptual understanding and the application of knowledge. This evidence serves as feedback for both the teacher and the student, guiding future instruction and allowing for targeted intervention when necessary.

3. Planning Learning Experiences and Instruction

In the final stage, teachers create experiences and design instruction that will help students achieve the desired results. These learning experiences can utilize a variety of instructional strategies such as simulations, debates, or cooperative learning activities.

Designing instruction that engages students directly with the content and encourages them to think critically is crucial in promoting deeper understanding. By providing opportunities for exploration, analysis, and application, teachers facilitate the development of transferable skills and enduring understandings.

Why Understanding By Design Works

Understanding By Design is more than just a theory; it is a proven methodology that has transformed countless classrooms around the world. Here are some key reasons why UBD works:

1. Fosters Lifelong Learning Skills

UBD goes beyond merely "covering" content. By prioritizing enduring understandings and transferable skills, UBD equips students with the ability to continue learning and applying their knowledge long after they leave the classroom. This ensures they are well-prepared for real-world challenges and future academic endeavors.

2. Promotes Meaningful Learning

Traditional teaching methods often result in superficial learning, where students memorize facts without truly grasping the underlying concepts. UBD encourages deep understanding by focusing on essential questions, big ideas, and real-life applications. This approach empowers students to make connections and engage with the content on a more profound level.

3. Enhances Student Engagement

UBD recognizes that engaged students are more likely to learn and retain information. By incorporating a variety of instructional strategies and creating relevant, real-world contexts, UBD captures students' interest and motivation. Students become active participants in their learning, leading to increased engagement and improved outcomes.

Implementing Understanding By Design in Your Classroom

Now that you understand the basics of Understanding By Design, it's time to consider how you can implement this innovative framework in your own classroom. Here are some practical tips to get you started:

1. Collaborate with Colleagues

Building a community of learners within your school can significantly enhance the implementation of UBD. Collaborate with your colleagues to share ideas, resources, and best practices. By working together, you can create a supportive learning environment that benefits both students and teachers.

2. Start Small

Implementing UBD may seem overwhelming at first, especially if you are used to traditional teaching methods. Begin by incorporating elements of UBD into your existing curriculum and gradually expand from there. Celebrate small successes along the way, and remember that change takes time.

3. Engage Students in the Process

Make your students active participants in their own learning. Involve them in setting goals, developing essential questions, and designing assessments. By giving students ownership over their education, you foster a sense of responsibility and deepen their understanding.

4. Seek Ongoing Professional Development

Stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in UBD. Attend workshops, conferences, and seminars focused on UBD implementation. Continuous professional development will equip you with the necessary tools and support to implement UBD effectively.

Understanding By Design is a transformative approach that empowers both teachers and students. By shifting the focus from content coverage to deep understanding, UBD promotes lifelong learning, meaningful engagement, and critical thinking skills. By embracing this innovative framework, educators can revolutionize their instruction, leading to improved student outcomes and a love for learning that extends far beyond the classroom walls.

Understanding by Design

by Jay McTighe(2nd Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8817 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	370 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

ASCD Bestseller! Wiggins and McTighe provide an expanded array of practical tools and strategies for designing curriculum, instruction, and assessments that lead students at all grade levels to genuine understanding.

How do you know when students understand? Can you design learning experiences that make it much more likely that students understand content and apply it in meaningful ways?

Thousands of educators have used the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework to answer these questions and create more rigorous, engaging curriculums. Now, this expanded 2nd edition gives you even more tools and strategies for results-oriented teaching:

* An improved template for creating curriculum units based on the breakthrough "backward design" method.
* More specific guidelines on how to frame the "big ideas" you want students to understand.
* Better ways to develop the "essential questions" that form the foundation of high-quality curriculum and assessment.
* An expanded toolbox of instructional approaches for obtaining the desired results of a lesson.
* More examples, across all grade levels and subjects, of how schools and districts have used the UbD framework to maximize student understanding.

Educators from kindergarten through college can get everything they need—guidelines, stages, templates, and tips—to start designing lessons, units, and courses that lead to improved student performance and a more stimulating experience for students and teachers alike.