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.
Methodology / Instructions
- 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.
Speakers or Sources Featured
Notable Quotes
— 01:02 — « Chance favors the prepared mind. »
— 02:30 — « It's possible to get straight A's at every school in America without critical and creative thinking. »
— 04:22 — « You can't just pat yourself on the back because you admit smart people when they do good things. »
— 06:34 — « There is this tendency in even really good programs in schools to not help kids gain proactive control of the situation and have a long term view. »
— 09:46 — « I want students to be good readers, but more importantly, I want them to love to read. »
Category
Educational