Summary of "Grant Wiggins - Understanding by Design (1 of 2)"

Summary of Main Ideas and Concepts

Understanding by Design (UbD) Framework:
- UbD is a planning framework, not a teaching philosophy or approach.
- It focuses on goal-oriented and effective teaching.
- A good plan does not guarantee effective teaching; pedagogical skills are also essential.
Preparation for Teaching:
- Teachers should be prepared for teachable moments by having clear long-term goals.
- The aim is to build autonomous, proactive, and thoughtful learners rather than just covering content.
Misalignment of Goals and Actions:
- There is often a disconnect between short-term actions and long-term educational goals.
- Critical and creative thinking should be integrated into daily lesson plans to achieve these long-term goals.
Value Added in Education:
- Simply admitting smart students does not guarantee growth in critical thinking skills.
- Schools need to focus on embedding critical and creative thinking into their curricula actively.
Strategic Thinking in Learning:
- Students should be encouraged to develop Strategic Thinking and self-assessment skills.
- Teachers can facilitate this by asking reflective questions about what is working in their learning environment.
Backward Design Logic:
- Start with long-term goals to determine assessments and instructional strategies.
- Consider what evidence will show that students are meeting these goals and what instructional practices will support them.

Backward Design Process:
- Identify long-term educational goals.
- Determine what assessments will effectively measure progress toward those goals.
- Develop instructional strategies that align with the assessments and goals.
Self-Assessment Exercise:
- Ask students to assess themselves against their learning goals.
- Facilitate discussions about what is working and what needs improvement in their learning process.
Mission Statement Activity:
- Have participants create a one-sentence mission statement for their course, reflecting its purpose and goals.