Comments on: Understanding by Design https://blog.learnlets.com/2011/03/understanding-by-design/ Clark Quinn's learnings about learning Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:04:23 +0000 hourly 1 By: virginia Yonkers https://blog.learnlets.com/2011/03/understanding-by-design/#comment-115549 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:04:23 +0000 http://blog.learnlets.com/?p=1987#comment-115549 Perhaps it was my teacher training, but as you point out, I have always created curriculum AND syllabi using that approach. I also use it for my individual classes/lesson plans. I find it is a much more flexible method of planning and design. If a lesson is not working out, but you know what you want to achieve and then what assessment tools you’re going to use, you can change your lesson plan so that is aligns with the goals and assessment tools. For example, I might assume students have the ability to do critical thinking. When we get into a lesson, I realize they can’t. So now I must develop those skills, so they can achieve the learning goals, and then I can assess them, knowing they have begun to develop critical thinking skills in that area.

My concern with these “magic pill” books is that we are creating a system of “check-list” teachers. This is not a reflection of the authors, but rather how their work is being used in teacher training programs and teacher supervision for certification. Did they identify the goals? Check. Did they create an assessment tool? Check. Did they craft engaging learning activities? Check. Therefore, they must be effect teachers. Forget if the goals are attainable or relevant given the student population. Forget if the assessment accurately measures a student’s progress and knowledge. Forget if the learning activity supports learning the goals. Must activities always be engaging for students to learn from it?

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