What is Understanding by Design? Author Jay McTighe explains.

Summary

Jay McTighe introduces the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework, a method for curriculum and assessment planning focused on teaching for understanding and transfer. He emphasizes backward design, which starts by identifying key learning goals and then planning instruction accordingly. McTighe advises teachers and school leaders to approach UbD gradually by starting small and aiming for early successes. He encourages prioritizing transferable concepts and processes within subjects and stresses the importance of practical assessments that go beyond rote memorization. By fostering collaboration and thoughtful planning, UbD enhances meaningful learning outcomes.

Takeaways

• 🎯 Understanding by Design (UBD) focuses on teaching for understanding and transfer of knowledge.
• 📚 UBD emphasizes identifying what's most worth understanding in the vast content of each subject.
• 🌐 Teachers should prioritize teaching larger transferable concepts and processes within and across subjects.
• 📝 Assessments in UBD are designed not only to test knowledge but to assess if students can apply it in new situations and explain it in their own words.
• 🔄 The backward design approach encourages planning curriculum and assessments with the end goals of understanding and transfer in mind.
• 🚫 UBD discourages merely covering content or marching through textbooks without a clear focus on understanding.
• 📊 Teachers using UBD should focus on developing just a few units initially and gradually expanding, refining them over time.
• 🤝 Collaboration among teachers, including revising units after testing them, is encouraged for better implementation of UBD.
• 🎯 Leaders should aim for long-term adoption of UBD, starting with small groups of teachers, and gradually expanding based on success.
• ⚠️ Mandating UBD without proper training, support, and clear rationale can lead to failure; it should be introduced gradually with enthusiastic volunteers.

Q & A

What is Understanding by Design (UBD)?

Understanding by Design (UBD) is a framework for curriculum planning, assessment design, and teaching. Its goal is to teach for understanding and transfer of knowledge, focusing on larger transferable concepts and processes within and across subjects.

What is the main goal of UBD?

The main goal of UBD is to ensure that students not only understand what is taught but also can transfer their learning to new situations and contexts. This means students should be able to use what they have learned beyond the classroom.

What does 'teaching for understanding' mean in UBD?

Teaching for understanding in UBD means focusing on what’s most worth understanding. This involves identifying key concepts and processes that students need to grasp and prioritizing teaching efforts around these larger, transferable ideas.

How does UBD propose teachers prioritize their curriculum?

UBD suggests teachers prioritize their curriculum by focusing on big ideas, key concepts, and processes that have lasting value. This helps in organizing teaching efforts around what's most important and ensures deeper understanding.

What is backward design, and how does it work in UBD?

Backward design is a planning process where teachers start by identifying the desired results—understanding and transfer—and then plan assessments and learning activities to achieve those results. It focuses on teaching for understanding rather than merely covering content.

How is backward design different from traditional teaching approaches?

Unlike traditional approaches, which often focus on covering content or following textbooks, backward design emphasizes planning with the end goal in mind—understanding and transfer. It involves designing lessons and assessments around these goals rather than just completing tasks.

What are some key assessment practices in UBD?

In UBD, assessments should go beyond testing facts and basic skills. They should require students to demonstrate understanding by explaining concepts, using knowledge in new contexts, and applying their learning in practical situations.

What advice does Jay McTighe offer for teachers new to UBD?

Jay McTighe advises teachers to think big, start small, and go for an early win. Teachers should focus on one or two units initially, choose topics they are comfortable with, and collaborate with colleagues to ease into the UBD framework.

What advice does McTighe give to school leaders implementing UBD?

McTighe advises school leaders to think big but start small. They should encourage a small group of volunteers to experiment with UBD, provide support and training, and let them test and refine their units. Leaders should avoid mandating UBD for everyone without proper preparation.

Why is it important to avoid overwhelming teachers when introducing UBD?

It is important to avoid overwhelming teachers because UBD is a complex planning framework that takes time to master. Starting small with manageable units allows teachers to gradually understand and implement UBD without feeling frustrated or overburdened.