Backward Design

What is the purpose of backward planning or backward design (Wiggins & McTighe,
2005)?
The main purpose of the backward design is to enhance student understanding. Its main
focus is outcome-based education; it is results-oriented, and student-centered and thus focuses on
the end product or achievement of the goal (Hansen et al., 2015). The aim is to ensure that
students achieve their goals. The planning process entails defining the learning outcomes and
deciding on how they will be met. The purpose is to ensure that learning outcomes are met.
Describe the stages of the backward design process.
The backward design process has three stages. The first one if identifying desired results
and outcomes. The first step entails deliberately defining the goals to be achieved, the established
standards, for example, Common Core State Standards, and reviewing the expectations set in the
curriculum (Hansen et al., 2015). Teachers are able to achieve this by identifying enduring
understandings, which are vital ideas that have lasting value beyond the classroom. Teachers
begin to identify enduring understanding by using standards to inform and design curriculum
planning. Standards for learning must be aligned with standards for practice and this guides the
teaching process. The teacher uses overarching questions which are essential in the transfer of
knowledge. The first step entails making connections between the essential questions, enduring
understanding, and the big ideas that will facilitate the transfer of knowledge.
The second stage is determining what makes up evidence of competency. At this stage,
the expected outcomes are explained to the learners to ensure that they are directly involved in
the assignments and they understand what is expected of them. educators and curriculum

designers are encouraged to adopt an assessor’s way of thinking. assessors identify assessment
evidence needed to validate whether learners have a complete comprehension of the concepts
and content needed. A distinction is made between achieving and learning. Alfie Kohn
distinguished between learning and achievement by stating that learning refers to the process of
gaining knowledge and skills (Hansen et al., 2015). Achievement, on the other hand, refers to the
aspects of the learning process such as getting good grades. It is the completion of the learning
journey. The assessment takes place in the second stage and is also different from learning. It
takes place by engaging in effective activities that foster the learning process. The third and last
stage entails planning instructional strategies and learning experiences. Learning activities are
usually at the heart of classroom life.
How would you evaluate this approach to the curriculum? How does it affect student
learning?
The backward design is a mapped-out route that the learning process follows. It is an
effective approach to curriculum delivery as it ensures that all activities to be undertaken in the
learning process are well outlined and aligned to specific objectives that will facilitate the
achievement of individual goals. It affects student learning by ensuring that it outlines the skills
and knowledge that are necessary for a student to understand the concepts outlined in the
curriculum. Educators are able to measure if learners know what they should know as per the
curriculum. Therefore, the learning process is well organized. There is a process to be followed
and every step in the learning process is well factored in and well planned. Learning experiences
are also planned and student learning is enhanced as the students are well prepared for
assessment. The backward design process is effective not only in curriculum delivery but also in
enhancing the learning process.

References

Hansen, C.B., Buczynski, S., & Puckett, K.S. (2015). Curriculum and instruction for the 21 st
century. Bridgepoint Education