Wiggins and McTighe

Definition

Wiggins and McTighe are educational theorists known for developing the concept of 'backward design,' a framework for curriculum planning that starts with identifying desired learning outcomes before planning instructional activities. This approach emphasizes clarity in objectives and assessments, ensuring that teaching is purpose-driven and aligned with students' learning goals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Wiggins and McTighe's backward design model consists of three main stages: identifying desired results, determining acceptable evidence, and planning learning experiences and instruction.
2. This approach encourages educators to think critically about what students should learn and how they will demonstrate their understanding, thus improving the overall effectiveness of teaching.
3. The emphasis on clearly defined learning outcomes helps teachers stay focused on the big ideas and essential questions of a unit, promoting deeper understanding among students.
4. Wiggins and McTighe advocate for using assessments not just as a means of evaluation, but as a crucial part of the learning process to inform instruction.
5. Their work has influenced many educational practices and is widely used in curriculum development across various educational levels.

Review Questions

• How does the backward design model proposed by Wiggins and McTighe enhance the planning process for educators?
  • The backward design model enhances the planning process by requiring educators to begin with clear learning objectives. By identifying what students need to achieve first, teachers can then create assessments that measure those outcomes effectively. This approach ensures that all instructional activities are aligned with the goals, making teaching more purposeful and focused on student understanding.
• Discuss how Wiggins and McTighe's concept of 'Understanding by Design' contributes to deeper learning experiences for students.
  • 'Understanding by Design' contributes to deeper learning experiences by emphasizing that education should prioritize meaningful understanding over rote memorization. It encourages teachers to engage students in critical thinking through real-world applications of knowledge. By structuring lessons around essential questions and enduring understandings, educators can foster an environment where students connect concepts and apply their learning in diverse contexts.
• Evaluate the impact of clearly defined learning outcomes in Wiggins and McTighe's framework on student assessment practices.
  • Clearly defined learning outcomes significantly impact student assessment practices by ensuring that assessments are directly aligned with what students are expected to learn. This alignment allows for more accurate measurement of student understanding and mastery of content. Additionally, when assessments are designed with specific outcomes in mind, they provide meaningful feedback to both teachers and students, guiding instructional adjustments to meet learning needs effectively.

Related terms

Backward Design: A framework that focuses on starting the curriculum development process by identifying the desired end goals and working backward to create the instructional plan.

Understanding by Design (UbD): A curriculum design model created by Wiggins and McTighe that emphasizes the importance of understanding and applying knowledge rather than simply memorizing facts.

Learning Outcomes: Specific statements that describe what learners should know or be able to do by the end of an instructional unit.