Introduction
So we are TEACHERS!! We love to teach. But do we really know what it is we want our learners to walk away with? More than mere numbers on a paper and pencil test, how do we meaningfully differentiate depths of understanding among learners?
What if there were an approach to lesson design that maximized- by design- the effectiveness and efficiency of the lessons we teach?
Well, there is, and it is known as Understanding by Design (UbD). In your Webquest, you will learn about UbD and participate in learning activities by which you will be empowered to design a UbD lesson.
Get ready for a quest that just may be as transformative for your lesson planning as it is straightforward to use.
Task
You will complete 3 readiness activities in preparation for our upcoming face-to-face professional development seminar on (insert date). Each features a productive thinking technique that you may want to add to your own classroom instructional repertoire!
Get together with one or two faculty peers to complete the first two activities. Schedule approximately 45 minutes to complete each of them.
Please do the third activity individually.
You may complete the written portion of each activity on a Word document. After you complete each activity, email your documents to me at davidsalvatelli@onehope.net.
Process
Activity #1: Compass Points & UbD (date due: Sept. 23, 2016)
With a faculty partner, go to the link and be ready to apply it to a video overview of Understanding by Design. Here's the link:
http://www.visiblethinkingpz.org/VisibleThinking_html_files/03_Thinking…
Now view the UbD overview video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4isSHf3SBuQ
Complete a Compass Points thinking routine regarding the UbD video you just watched. Write down your Compass Points responses. Email them to me at davidsalvatelli@onehope.net.
Activity #2: P-M-I & UbD (date due: Sept. 30, 2016)
View Part 2 of a UbD overview video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgNODvvsgxM
Next, complete a P-M-I for what you have learned so far about UbD. Here's how: list your thoughts about UbD as regards 3 categories:
P (Positives: things you like about it),
M (Minusses:things you DO NOT like about it),
I ("Interestings": things that strike you as interesting or questionable or in some way remarkable).
You may combine your and your partner's thoughts on one document. Email them to me at davids@onehope.net.
Activity #3: Question Starts & UbD (date due: Oct. 7, 2016)
Complete this activity individually.
Go to the link on the Visible Thinking routine called "Question Starts" and be ready to apply it to key tenets of Understanding by Design. Here's the link:
http://www.visiblethinkingpz.org/VisibleThinking_html_files/03_Thinking…
Now read "The UbD framework is based on 7 key tenets" contained in the Introduction of ASCD_UBD_whitepaper.pdf. (While you don't have to read the rest of the white paper, it will prepare you for deeper understanding of UbD that is upcoming.)
Complete the Question Starts concerning the Tenets, write them down, and email them to me at davids@onehope.net.
Evaluation
Take a quiz on UbD terms. Cut 'n paste the quiz below into a Word doc. Email the completed quiz to me at davidsalvatelli@onehope.net.
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Name: |
Understanding by Design
Write the letter of the correct match next to each definition.
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1. |
Assessment |
a. |
Questions that lie at the heart of a subject, and promotes inquiry and “uncoverage” of a subject. |
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2. |
Backward Design |
b. |
Techniques used to analyze student accomplishment against specific goals. A test is one type of assessment. |
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3. |
Big Idea |
c. |
In Understanding by Design (UbD) the core concepts, principles, theories, and processes that should serve as the focal point. |
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4. |
Culminating Assessment |
d. |
An approach to designing a curriculum, unit or lesson that begins with the end in mind and designs toward that end. |
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5. |
Desired Result |
e. |
A specific educational goal or achievement target involving complex learnings. Synonyms include target or goal. |
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6. |
Essential Question |
f. |
An insight into ideas, people, situations, and processes manifested in various appropriate performances. |
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7. |
Understanding |
g. |
Attributes of good ones include: Closely linked to instruction • • Provides information about levels of understanding. |
Conclusion
There we have it! Understanding by Design is a leading, research-based approach to lesson design that we will build upon to develop excellent curriculum, instruction and assessment. Our journey will feature additional evidence-based approaches, instructional techniques and ed tech tools (like WebQuest)!
We have begun a professional development journey together by which we will cultivate our calling as teachers.
May our Lord Jesus go before us, pour out abundant blessings, and receive all the glory.
I am excited for our journey!
Credits
DAVID SALVATELLI
With 3+ decades in education: elementary general education classroom teacher for 13 years, teacher trainer for over 10 years, and founding head of school of a large private Christian K-12 school in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from Assumption College, a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Fitchburg State College, and is completing his Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction at Liberty University. Currently David serves as Vice President of Education Initiatives at OneHope, is married to his wife, Liliana for 30 blessed years, and is dad to amazing son #1, Gino (aka: Treasure from the Lord), his beautiful wife Fanna, and amazing son #2, David Jr. (Joy of the Lord).
