Getting Started with Understanding by Design Framework: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding by Design (UbD) is a framework used for designing and delivering effective learning experiences. It helps to ensure that everything taught in a course or program is aligned and focused on specific learning outcomes. This guide will give you a comprehensive understanding of this framework and how you can use it to develop effective learning experiences.

Introduction

The Understanding by Design framework was first introduced by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe in their book “Understanding by Design,” published in 1998. It has since become a widely used educational framework for designing and delivering effective learning experiences.

The UbD framework is based on three principles: understanding, transfer, and meaning. Understanding refers to the ability to make connections between new concepts and prior knowledge. Transfer refers to the ability to apply what has been learned to new situations. Meaning refers to the idea that learning is most effective when it is meaningful and relevant to the learner.

Principles of Understanding by Design

The UbD framework is based on the following principles:

• Begin with the end in mind. Start by identifying the desired learning outcomes for the course or program. These outcomes should be specific, measurable, and aligned with the overall goals of the course or program.
• Focus on understanding and transfer. Design learning experiences that help learners develop deep understanding and the ability to transfer what they have learned to new situations.
• Design for meaningful learning. Create learning experiences that are meaningful and relevant to the learner.
• Use effective assessments. Use assessments that measure learners’ understanding and ability to transfer what they have learned to new situations.
• Revise and iterate. Continuously revise and refine the learning experiences based on feedback from learners and assessment results.

The UbD Framework in Action

To apply the UbD framework, start by identifying the desired learning outcomes for the course or program. These outcomes should be specific, measurable, and aligned with the overall goals of the course or program.

Once the learning outcomes have been identified, design learning experiences that help learners develop deep understanding and the ability to transfer what they have learned to new situations. These experiences should be designed to be meaningful and relevant to the learner.

Effective assessments should be used to measure learners’ understanding and ability to transfer what they have learned to new situations. These assessments should be aligned with the learning outcomes and designed to provide meaningful feedback to learners.

Finally, continuously revise and refine the learning experiences based on feedback from learners and assessment results. This will help to ensure that the learning experiences are effective and relevant to the learners.

Examples of UbD in Action

Let’s look at an example of how the UbD framework can be applied in a classroom setting. Suppose you are designing a lesson on the causes of the American Revolution.

Identify the learning outcomes: By the end of the lesson, learners should be able to identify and explain the main causes of the American Revolution.

Design the learning experiences: The learning experiences should be designed to help learners develop a deep understanding of the causes of the American Revolution. This could involve a combination of reading, discussion, and hands-on activities.

Design the assessments: Assessments could include a written essay or presentation on the causes of the American Revolution.

Revise and refine the lesson: Based on feedback from learners and assessment results, the lesson could be revised and refined to better meet the learning outcomes.

Conclusion

The UbD framework is a powerful tool for designing and delivering effective learning experiences. By beginning with the end in mind, focusing on understanding and transfer, designing for meaningful learning, using effective assessments, and continuously revising and refining the learning experiences, educators can help learners develop deep understanding and the ability to transfer what they have learned to new situations. Use this comprehensive guide to get started with Understanding by Design framework and develop your own effective learning experiences.

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