Grant Wiggins

Definition

Grant Wiggins is an influential educator and co-author of 'Understanding by Design,' a framework that emphasizes the importance of backward design in curriculum development. His work focuses on creating effective assessments that align with desired learning outcomes, making a significant impact on formative and summative assessment strategies in education.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Wiggins is known for advocating for alignment between assessments and learning objectives to ensure that students are truly demonstrating their understanding.
2. His approach emphasizes formative assessments, which provide ongoing feedback to students and teachers to improve learning during the instructional process.
3. Wiggins encourages educators to develop assessments that are not only valid and reliable but also engaging and relevant to students' lives.
4. The principles outlined by Wiggins are designed to help educators create a more student-centered learning environment, promoting deeper understanding rather than rote memorization.
5. His work has influenced many educators to rethink traditional assessment practices, pushing them towards more innovative and effective strategies.

Review Questions

• How does Grant Wiggins’ concept of backward design influence the way educators develop assessments?
  • Grant Wiggins' concept of backward design influences educators by encouraging them to first identify the desired learning outcomes before developing assessments. This approach ensures that all components of the curriculum, including lessons and activities, are aligned with these outcomes. By starting with the end goals in mind, educators can create assessments that effectively measure student understanding and progress throughout the learning process.
• Discuss how Wiggins’ emphasis on formative assessment can enhance student learning and engagement.
  • Wiggins emphasizes formative assessment as a way to provide continuous feedback, allowing students to understand their progress and areas for improvement. This type of assessment helps create a more interactive and engaging classroom environment where students feel supported in their learning journey. By using formative assessments, educators can adapt their teaching strategies based on student responses, fostering a deeper connection to the material and promoting active participation in the learning process.
• Evaluate the impact of Grant Wiggins’ assessment strategies on educational practices in terms of accountability and student success.
  • The impact of Grant Wiggins' assessment strategies on educational practices is profound, as they promote accountability for both educators and students. By aligning assessments with clear learning objectives, Wiggins' methods encourage teachers to take responsibility for student learning outcomes while empowering students to understand their own progress. This focus on meaningful assessments not only enhances student success but also drives systemic change in educational practices, leading to a shift towards more authentic, relevant, and engaging learning experiences.

Related terms

Backward Design: An instructional design method that starts with the end goals or desired outcomes and plans the curriculum and assessments accordingly.

Authentic Assessment:

Assessment methods that evaluate students' abilities in real-world contexts, often emphasizing higher-order thinking skills and practical application.

Learning Objectives:

Specific statements that describe what students should know or be able to do by the end of a lesson or unit.