Understanding by Design Framework

By Bailey, Rachel
ET
Mchige, J. & Wiggins, G. (2012). Understanding by design framework. ASCD. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/siteASCD/publications/UbD_WhitePaper0312.pdf.

Summary: This article gives an overview of Understanding by Design. This method uses a backward approach to curriculum planning. The planning is broken down into 3 stages including:
1)Desired Results, 2) Evidence, and 3) Learning Plan. For the Desired Results phase teachers look at the curriculum objectives that they want the students to learn. They also consider the questions they want them to answer. For the evidence phase, authentic assessments are created. And finally for the Learning Plan, educators determine what activities they should use to get to the end result.

Evaluation: This approach makes sense to me. In order to have a plan, the end should always be in mind. In addition to these 3 steps, the article also discusses the importance of transfer of learning.