Jun
22
Understanding by Design (UbD)
June 22, 2006 | | 1 Comment
Today, I began a cluster called “UbD for ELA”. Understanding by Design, UbD, is a research-based framework for curriculum design. The State of Delaware wants teachers to use this framework to align daily lessons with the state’s standards, ultimately resulting in increased student achievement.
The central question introducing participants to UbD asked us “What do people mean by understand?” We were given various statements using the word “understand” and asked to list various connotations of the word. We then looked at six facets related to the word “understand.” Whoa! Imagine my surprise. I consider myself a learned man, but I had missed these nuances in a simple word. I had not been aware of my own ignorance. As the presentation and discussion continued, I realized why I was frustrated with student learning at various times (I call this epiphany the “Ah-ha” moment). Often, I would “check for understanding” during the lesson, but my checking did not necessarily involve all six facets. Understanding involves explanation, interpretation, application, perspective, empathy, and self-knowledge. My surprised deepened as I learned I have employed some misconceptions of understanding while checking my students for their understanding of the lesson. “Yikes!”
All through this first day, my mind married what I was learning in EDUC639 with the revelations I experienced with UbD. All my learning will help me to help my students.
Gosh! I love learning new ideas. This cluster is going to be interesting.
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So this is blogging. It looks as if it has great potential for classroom use, especially to discuss literature. The hitch, as you have recognized, is not being able to provide enough access to students. I agree that the cluster looks interesting. We will no longer be able to make assumptions about student learning.