Jay McTighe, co-author of Understanding By Design, discusses the origins and evolution of UBD, focusing on fostering deep understanding in students through backward design. He clarifies misconceptions, emphasizes inclusivity, and shares practical strategies for implementation. The podcast explores the enduring relevance of UBD in equipping students with essential skills for lifelong learning.
UBD focuses on deep understanding through backward design for student learning.
Practical strategies support UBD implementation in classrooms for inclusivity and engagement.
Instructional coaches play a vital role in enhancing UBD adoption in education.
Authenticity and diversity are key in UBD curriculum design for inclusive learning experiences.
Deep dives
Understanding by Design Framework
The podcast discusses the Understanding by Design framework, emphasizing the importance of teaching and assessing for understanding, focusing on transferable ideas and processes to prepare students for effective application of their learning. The framework highlights the significance of backward design, aligning curriculum, assessment, and instruction with specific learning goals. Through clear goal-setting and assessment considerations, teachers can enhance student learning and promote meaningful application of knowledge.
Evolution of Understanding by Design
The episode delves into the evolution of the Understanding by Design framework over time while maintaining its core focus on deepening student understanding and transfer of learning. It highlights the consistent application of backward design principles, emphasizing the alignment of goals and assessments. Furthermore, it explores the development of practical design tools and strategies to support curriculum planning across various educational settings and the integration of transfer goals and enduring understandings to enhance student learning outcomes.
Role of Coaches in Supporting UBD Implementation
The podcast touches on the role of instructional coaches in supporting the implementation of Understanding by Design within educational environments. Coaches are identified as valuable feedback providers, guiding teachers in refining essential questions, aligning assessments with learning goals, and enhancing student engagement and autonomy. By observing classes and providing constructive feedback, coaches play a crucial role in promoting goal clarity, assessment validity, and effective instructional practices to improve student learning experiences.
Authenticity and Diversity in Curriculum Design
The episode explores the importance of authenticity and diversity in curriculum design within the Understanding by Design framework, highlighting the significance of invitational instructional practices to engage diverse learners. By incorporating open-ended central questions and authentic performance tasks, teachers can create inclusive learning experiences that cater to varied student backgrounds and interests. The emphasis on authentic applications of learning and culturally relevant assignments enables teachers to foster meaningful connections between curriculum content and student experiences.
Reflecting on the Impact of UBD
Reflecting on a long career and the enduring influence of Understanding by Design, the podcast conveys the framework's continued relevance in addressing the evolving educational landscape. With an emphasis on preparing students to navigate novelty and unforeseen challenges, UBD stands as a powerful tool for building students' capacity to transfer their learning effectively. The episode highlights how UBD has evolved to meet the changing demands of education, emphasizing the enduring importance of deep understanding and application of knowledge.
Impactful Interaction and Professional Growth
The conversation between the podcast host and guest underscores the impactful interaction and growth that occur through collaborative curriculum planning and coaching processes. By engaging in structured peer reviews and feedback sessions, educators can deepen their understanding and application of the UBD framework. The episode highlights the transformative potential of peer collaboration, observation, and feedback in fostering professional development and enhancing instructional practices for diverse learners.
Empowering Teaching Practices
The podcast emphasizes the importance of empowering teaching practices through a gradual release of responsibility model encompassing direct instruction, facilitation, and coaching roles. By encouraging autonomy, engagement, and student-centered learning experiences, teachers can create meaningful interactions that enhance student understanding and skill development. The episode underscores the significance of aligning instructional roles with student needs to foster deep learning and effective application of knowledge.
In this episode, I sit down with my long-time friend, educator, and co-author of Understanding By Design (UBD), Jay McTighe. In our conversation Jay shares the origins of UBD and its evolution over time, emphasizing its focus on fostering deep understanding in students through backward design.
Have a listen as we discuss the collaborative work of Jay and Grant Wiggins, co-author of UBD, and the importance of open-minded discourse in educational development.
Jay clarifies common misconceptions about UBD and highlights its adaptability to diverse learning needs, promoting inclusivity and engagement in the classroom.
We explore practical strategies for implementing UBD, including the role of instructional coaches in supporting teachers and the importance of alignment between goals and assessments.
Jay closes the episode with reflections on the enduring relevance of UBD in today's rapidly changing world, and he underscores its role in equipping students with essential skills for lifelong learning.
I'd love to hear your feedback about my weekly Coaching Conversations. Please consider leaving a rating or review and subscribing to our channel.
Stay Connected
Subscribe to Jim Knight's Coaching Conversations Podcast on your favorite podcast platform to receive updates on new episodes and access to valuable resources.
Learn More
To learn more about our annual TLC conference, click here.
Prepare for the start of next school year with the Intensive Instructional Coaching Institute, our most comprehensive offering that gives you everything you need to be an effective coach by clicking here.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
