What is Backward Design?          

Stage 3

Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

 

After identifying the enduring understandings and choosing the assessments needed to collect evidence of understanding, teachers can now plan which learning experiences and instruction they will use to teach their students.

 

The following questions, provided by McTighe and Wiggins (1998) in their book Understanding by Design, should be contemplated by teachers when designing instructional activities.

 

• What enabling knowledge (facts, concepts, and principles) and skills (procedures) will students need to perform effectively and achieve desired results?

• What activities will equip students with the needed knowledge and skills?

• What will need to be taught and coached, and how should it best be taught, in light of performance goals?

• What materials and resources are best suited to accomplish these goals?

• Is the overall design coherent and effective?