EWC course development integrates the basic principles of Backward Design (Wiggins & McTighe, 2006) by focusing first on the learning outcomes and then designing assessments and learning activities to support learning and mastery.
Understanding by Design (UbD or Backwards Planning) is not a rigid framework. It is simply a way of thinking about developing your course using the best practices.
When you think about UbD, it just makes sense. Which seems more logical – trying to fit an interesting assessment or activity into a course, or developing an assessment or activity that aligns with the predetermined goals of a course? Every single activity in your course should be aligned with the learning outcomes of the course.
Before you begin developing your course, please watch the UBD/Backward Design videos below. They cover in detail the three stages upon which Backward Design is built.
After watching the Backward Design presentation, it’s time for you to start working on the Course Design Worksheet by following the Backward Design stages listed below.
Grant Wiggins – Understanding by Design (1 of 2) (YouTube, 00:10:51)
Grant Wiggins – Understanding by Design (2 of 2) (YouTube, 00:10:51)