What is Understanding by Design? Author Jay McTighe explains.

Introduction

This tutorial introduces the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework, a model developed by Jay McTighe that enhances student achievement by emphasizing the teacher's role in designing effective learning experiences. By following this guide, educators can clarify learning goals, create meaningful assessments, and engage students in their learning process.

Step 1: Define Learning Goals

• Identify the desired outcomes for your students.
• Align these goals with the curriculum standards.
• Use the following questions to guide your goal setting:
  • What do I want my students to understand?
  • What skills should they develop?
  • How will this knowledge benefit them in real life?

Step 2: Design Assessments

• Create assessments that measure student understanding effectively.
• Ensure assessments are revealing and meaningful:
  • Use a variety of assessment types (e.g., quizzes, projects, presentations).
  • Align assessments with learning goals to ensure they are relevant.
  • Include formative assessments to monitor progress throughout the learning process.

Step 3: Plan Engaging Learning Activities

• Develop learning activities that foster deep understanding and engagement.
• Consider the following strategies:
  • Incorporate real-world applications to make learning relevant.
  • Use collaborative projects to enhance peer learning.
  • Provide opportunities for self-directed learning to encourage student ownership.

Step 4: Implement the UbD Framework

• Begin teaching with your goals and assessments in mind.
• Be flexible and adjust your plans based on student feedback and assessment results.
• Utilize reflection after lessons to evaluate what worked and what didn’t.

Conclusion

Understanding by Design is a powerful framework that helps educators create meaningful learning experiences. By defining clear learning goals, designing effective assessments, and planning engaging activities, teachers can significantly improve student achievement. As a next step, consider exploring additional resources on UbD to further refine your approach and connect with other educators implementing this framework.