Have you ever embarked on a trip without a specific destination? You get behind the wheel and start driving with no clear sense of where you’re headed. Sure, you might enjoy the journey, but measuring progress or feeling a sense of accomplishment is difficult without a specific destination. You are not going anywhere; you wander around.
The same applies to education. Without a clear destination, learners may wander through their learning experience without a sense of purpose or direction.
That’s where the Backwards Design approach comes in.
Backwards Design is often likened to planning a road trip by selecting the desired destination (setting the learning outcomes) before plotting the route on a map (authoring the learning content), let alone setting out without a destination.
The term “Backwards Design” was introduced by Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins in the late 1990s in their text Understanding By Design. The process consists of three stages.
Identify the Desired Results
In the first stage of the Backwards Design approach, your focus should be on clearly defining the desired results in terms of big ideas and skills. Start by defining the precise learning objectives that each learner should have attained by the end of the training. These results ought to be clear, quantifiable, and doable while also fitting in with the course’s overall aims and objectives.
1) Take time to reflect on the essential knowledge/skills learners should acquire.
2) Identify what learners should be able to do or know by the end of the Training.
3) Craft outcome statements that are specific, measurable, and attainable.
4) Ensure that the outcomes align with the overarching goals and objectives of the Training.
Determine the Acceptable Evidence
Don’t worry; it’s much simpler than you hear it. Once you have established the desired outcomes, it’s time to determine how the learners will demonstrate their understanding or skill acquisition. This stage involves designing assessments and evidence that align with the course goals and objectives.
1) Determine the criteria for the learners to demonstrate the acquisition of skills/knowledge.
2) Consider various assessment methods, such as tests, quizzes, essays, projects, or presentations.
3) Ensure that the chosen assessments directly measure the desired outcomes.
4) Align the assessments with the course goals and objectives, ensuring consistency throughout.
Design the Learning Experience
See? It took some time to start authoring the content. With the outcomes and assessments in place, it’s time to, at last, design the learning experiences. These experiences should be thoughtfully planned to engage learners and promote active participation. Aligning the learning experiences with the course goals and objectives is vital for creating a cohesive and effective learning journey.
1) Select appropriate instructional strategies and activities such as lectures, discussions, group work, readings, or hands-on projects.
2) Choose and design meaningful learning activities that will help learners achieve the desired results (for example, using the nine steps of instruction).
3) Ensure that the learning experiences provide opportunities for learners to engage with the content and apply their knowledge actively (such as through scenarios)
Bonus Tips for Successful Backwards Design
1) Engage learners in the process by involving them in setting learning outcomes and designing assessments. You create the Training for them, not for the SMEs.
2) Incorporate real-world applications and authentic tasks to enhance the relevance of learning experiences. I can’t stress how important this is.
3) Continuously seek feedback from students and colleagues to refine your instructional design.
4) Embrace Edtech tools to enhance the learning experience.
Conclusion
Just like a well-planned road trip, the Backwards Design approach empowers Instructional Designers to chart a clear path towards meaningful learning experiences. To find the right direction, you need to specify the desired outcomes, design aligned assessments, and finally, craft engaging learning experiences. Remember, unlike what you’ve heard, education is not just about the journey; it’s about reaching a destination. To do so, embrace Backwards Design and embark on a transformative educational adventure where learners may thrive with solutions that meet their needs.
