Design Professional Development Workbook i

Introduction— The Logic of Backward Design

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The Understanding by Design Professional Development Workbook is designed primarily as

a resource for participants in Understanding by Design

Introduction— The Logic of Backward Design

00–Introduction–1-28 2/3/04 12:09 PM Page 1

00–Introduction–1-28 2/3/04 12:09 PM Page 2

The Understanding by Design Professional Development Workbook is designed primarily as

a resource for participants in Understanding by Design (UbD) workshops and under-

graduate and graduate-level courses. It is also intended to support educators develop-

ing curricula and assessments with a focus on developing and deepening students’

understanding of important ideas. The workbook builds on the ideas presented in its

companion publication, Understanding by Design, with an emphasis on the practical

issues of curriculum design.

To support learning and applying the ideas of Understanding by Design, the work-

book contains the following six categories of materials:

1. Design Templates—practical organizers based on the three stages of backward

design for use in developing a unit or course. One-, two-, and six-page versions

of the UbD Template are provided.

2. Design Standards—criteria for reviewing curricular designs as a means of con-

tinuous improvement. The UbD Standards guide self-assessment and peer

reviews, whereby colleagues provide feedback and guidance on each other’s

designs.

3. Exercises and Process Tools—thought-provoking workshop activities for

developing and deepening participants’ understanding of the key idea

D) workshops and under-

graduate and graduate-level courses. It is also intended to support educators develop-

ing curricula and assessments with a focus on developing and deepening students’

understanding of important ideas. The workbook builds on the ideas presented in its

companion publication, Understanding by Design, with an emphasis on the practical

issues of curriculum design.

To support learning and applying the ideas of Understanding by Design, the work-

book contains the following six categories of materials:

1. Design Templates—practical organizers based on the three stages of backward

design for use in developing a unit or course. One-, two-, and six-page versions

of the UbD Template are provided.

2. Design Standards—criteria for reviewing curricular designs as a means of con-

tinuous improvement. The UbD Standards guide self-assessment and peer

reviews, whereby colleagues provide feedback and guidance on each other’s

designs.

3. Exercises and Process Tools—thought-provoking workshop activities for

developing and deepening participants’ understanding of the key idea