Grant Wiggins - Understanding by Design (2 of 2)

Summary

In this educational discourse, Grant Wiggins emphasizes that textbooks are merely resources, not the curriculum itself. He advocates for a backward design approach, starting with educational goals and then selecting resources accordingly. Wiggins critiques the traditional method of covering all textbook chapters as inefficient, suggesting instead a focus on meaningful learning outcomes. He provides examples from math and history, illustrating how to engage students by starting with real-world problems and then introducing textbook content to solve these problems. The discussion highlights the importance of intellectual engagement and the need for teachers to design lessons that captivate all students, not just those already interested in the subject.

Takeaways

• 📚 The textbook is not the course; it's a resource to support educational goals.
• 🎯 Design courses backward from desired outcomes, not just content coverage.
• 🤔 Encourage students to understand and apply knowledge, not just memorize facts.
• 🏫 Textbooks are often written to cater to large markets, not tailored to specific educational needs.
• 👨‍🏫 Teachers should clarify what they want students to be able to do with the content, focusing on transferable skills.
• 🏁 Start with current, relevant issues to engage students and build on their existing knowledge.
• 📊 Use real-world scenarios and debates to introduce mathematical concepts and encourage critical thinking.
• 🤝 Group discussions and projects can enhance understanding and application of mathematical principles.
• 🔍 Open the textbook after establishing context and relevance to ensure meaningful learning.
• 🌟 Intellectual engagement is a design consideration for educators to motivate and include all students, not just those already interested in the subject.

Q & A

What is the main point Grant Wiggins emphasizes about textbooks in the context of course design?

Grant Wiggins emphasizes that textbooks are not the course but a resource to support course goals. They should not dictate the curriculum but rather be used to achieve the specific transfer and understanding goals set by educators.

Why did Grant Wiggins find his work on textbooks both interesting and frustrating?

Grant Wiggins found his work on textbooks interesting because of the potential they hold for educational purposes, but frustrating because of the way they are often used to cover content without focusing on meaningful learning outcomes.

What is the significance of the Apple announcement mentioned in the script?

The Apple announcement is significant because it represents a shift in educational technology that offers new possibilities for course design and resource utilization, moving away from traditional textbook-centric approaches.

What is the backward design logic that Grant Wiggins refers to?

Backward design logic refers to the process of starting with the desired learning outcomes and then working backward to determine the necessary learning experiences and resources, rather than starting with the resources and trying to fit them into the curriculum.

Why did the woman in the math department 'freak out' over the exercise mentioned by Grant Wiggins?

The woman in the math department 'freaked out' because she believed all chapters in the textbook were important and needed to be covered, which contradicts the idea of focusing on specific learning goals and using textbooks as a resource rather than a comprehensive guide.

What is the example Grant Wiggins gives to illustrate the TMA (Teaching for Meaning and Transfer) logic?

Grant Wiggins uses the example of a US history teacher whose goal is to help students understand the Constitution and the three branches of government. He points out that this is not a goal but a content statement, and the real goal should be about what students can do with this knowledge, emphasizing the importance of transferable skills.

How does Grant Wiggins suggest using the textbook in the context of a math unit on fairness?

Grant Wiggins suggests opening the textbook on the third day of the unit, after students have engaged in discussions and activities related to fairness. This approach allows students to connect the mathematical concepts in the textbook to a real-world context they have already explored.

What is the purpose of the small group project in the math unit on fairness?

The purpose of the small group project is to encourage students to explore different perspectives on what constitutes a fair outcome in a given scenario, fostering critical thinking and discussion before introducing the mathematical tools to analyze the situation.

Why does Grant Wiggins argue that the way mathematics is traditionally taught 'stinks'?

Grant Wiggins argues that traditional math teaching focuses on memorizing procedures and facts without helping students understand the underlying concepts or how to apply them in different contexts, leading to a lack of engagement and poor transfer of skills.

What is the design challenge Grant Wiggins discusses in relation to teaching mathematics?

The design challenge is to create lessons that are intellectually engaging for all students, not just those already interested in or good at math. This involves making mathematical concepts relevant and accessible while also differentiating the learning experience to challenge a diverse range of students.