Understanding by Design

Book excerpt: Understanding by Design Professional Development Workbook extends the ideas presented in Understanding by Design (UbD) by focusing on professional development and the practical matters of curriculum design. The Workbook is a guide for Understanding by Design workshops and undergraduate and graduate-level courses, as well as further independent exploration. It provides a valuable resource to educators in developing curricula and assessments with a focus on developing and deepening students' understanding of important ideas. The Workbook contains the following materials to support your professional development and application of the ideas within Understanding by Design: * Design Templates: planning 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 templates are provided. * Design Standards-criteria for reviewing curricular designs as a means of continuous improvement. The UbD standards guide self-assessment and peer reviews, whereby colleagues provide feedback and guidance on each other's designs. * Exercises and Process Tools-thought-provoking workshop activities for developing and deepening participants' understanding of the key ideas of UbD. A set of review and reflection tools is included. *Design Tools-a variety of graphic organizers and worksheets are included to assist designers in each stage of backward design. *Samples-multiple examples from diverse subject areas and levels illustrate the various elements of understanding-based designs. *Glossary-definitions of key terms. Preservice and inservice teachers, college professors, school-based administrators, curriculum directors, subject-matter specialists, staff developers, and personnel involved in assessment and evaluation can benefit from these practical and proven ideas and resources.