Instructional design/Backward Design/Summary

Backwards Design Summary
Just a quick review, implementing Backwards Design requires the designer to think about the goals of the instruction first. The reason it is different is because many designers think about the test first and then run the risk of the instruction not meeting the desired curricular goals. Another risk is the possibility of the learning activities not creating the desired cohesive curricular unit and again falling short of preparing the students to meet the goals of the instruction.

Steven Covey stated in The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, "To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you're going so that you better understand where you are now so that the steps you take are always in the right direction." By starting the process with the end in mind, there is a clearly identified goal, which allows for evidence to be selected that will show progress towards the goal. Once the goal and evidence are known, it becomes much easier to select activities that help guide the learning process.

Navigation

 * Stages of Backward Design
 * ../Selecting the Goals/
 * ../Selecting the Evidence/
 * Selecting the Activities
 * ../Summary/
 * Return to the Instructional Design Home Page

Reference
Covey, S. R. (1991). The 7 habits of highly effective people. New York, NY.: Simon & Schuster.