Understanding by Design


Book Description

What is understanding and how does it differ from knowledge? How can we determine the big ideas worth understanding? Why is understanding an important teaching goal, and how do we know when students have attained it? How can we create a rigorous and engaging curriculum that focuses on understanding and leads to improved student performance in today's high-stakes, standards-based environment? Authors Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe answer these and many other questions in this second edition of Understanding by Design. Drawing on feedback from thousands of educators around the world who have used the UbD framework since its introduction in 1998, the authors have greatly revised and expanded their original work to guide educators across the K-16 spectrum in the design of curriculum, assessment, and instruction. With an improved UbD Template at its core, the book explains the rationale of backward design and explores in greater depth the meaning of such key ideas as essential questions and transfer tasks. Readers will learn why the familiar coverage- and activity-based approaches to curriculum design fall short, and how a focus on the six facets of understanding can enrich student learning. With an expanded array of practical strategies, tools, and examples from all subject areas, the book demonstrates how the research-based principles of Understanding by Design apply to district frameworks as well as to individual units of curriculum. Combining provocative ideas, thoughtful analysis, and tested approaches, this new edition of Understanding by Design offers teacher-designers a clear path to the creation of curriculum that ensures better learning and a more stimulating experience for students and teachers alike.




Universal Design for Learning in the Classroom


Book Description

"Clearly written and well organized, this book shows how to apply the principles of universal design for learning (UDL) across all subject areas and grade levels. The editors and contributors describe practical ways to develop classroom goals, assessments, materials, and methods that use UDL to meet the needs of all learners. Specific teaching ideas are presented for reading, writing, science, mathematics, history, and the arts, including detailed examples and troubleshooting tips. Particular attention is given to how UDL can inform effective, innovative uses of technology in the inclusive classroom. Subject Areas/Keywords: assessments, classrooms, content areas, curriculum design, digital media, educational technology, elementary, inclusion, instruction, learning disabilities, literacy, schools, secondary, special education, supports, teaching methods, UDL, universal design Audience: General and special educators in grades K-8, literacy specialists, school psychologists, administrators, teacher educators, and graduate students"--







Design as a Catalyst for Learning


Book Description

This book presents findings of a 1993 study of how design in the curriculum helps students achieve national educational objectives. It also explores opportunities for expanding the role design can play in students' academic lives. Results of the 1993 study reveal how the use of design experiences in classrooms provides teachers and students with a learning construct for the next century. The book summarizes descriptive research that makes qualitative statements regarding current classroom practice and identifies effective models for using design in classrooms. The research tapped three primary sources of data: (1) a review of the literature; (2) a national qualitative survey of teachers; and (3) site visits to 10 schools. Also, the researchers conducted qualitative interviews with principals, curriculum coordinators, other school or district administrators, teachers, teachers' aides, students, and parents. The six chapters include: (1) "Learning Through Design"; (2) "Lifelong Learning"; (3) "A Strategy for Excellent Teaching"; (4) "Design in the Curriculum"; (5) "Opportunities and Challenges for Schools"; and (6) "Conclusions and Recommendations." Three appendices, a bibliography, and information about the authors, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development conclude the document. (EH)







Sustainable School Architecture


Book Description

Get the comprehensive guide to the sustainable design of schools. The elementary and secondary school buildings and campuses built today are the schools of the future. Sustainable School Architecture is a guide to the planning, architecture, and design of schools that are healthy, stimulating, and will conserve energy and resources. Written with the needs of architects, construction professionals, educators, and school administration in mind, the book provides a road map for sustainable planning, design, construction, and operations. By its very nature, a school is often the centerpiece of its community and, therefore, well positioned to take the lead in influencing environmental awareness. Building on this point, Sustainable School Architecture shows how eco-friendly practices for school construction can create an environment that young students will emulate and carry into the world. Written by experts on sustainable school design, this book: Focuses on the links between best sustainable practices and the specific needs of educational institutions. Has nineteen international case studies of the best contemporary sustainable schools located in urban, suburban, and rural communities in temperate, tropical, and extreme climate zones. Contains valuable information on the California Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) rating system. Serves as a resource for incremental modernization and operation strategies as well as comprehensive transformation. Offers tips on running an integrated, community-based design process with support information on the materials and systems of the sustainable school. Includes contributions by experts on approaches to the sites, systems, maintenance, and operation of sustainable schools. With a practical overview of how sustainability can be achieved in new and existing schools, and how to maintain this momentum in the years ahead, this important book provides architects with detailed guidance for designing healthier learning environments to help usher in a more promising future.




Universal Design for Learning Science


Book Description

"This book is the result of more than a decade of work with teachers through the Quality Elementary Science Teaching professional development program. We used two frameworks that come together in powerful ways to support student learning in science -- the 5E Learning Cycle and Universal Design for Learning. Using these frameworks encourages teachers to rethink how they have typically approached lessons and to reframe them in ways that mirror how students learn, that provide depth and conceptual coherence, and that support the success of all learners. Implementing these frameworks doesn't require adopting a new curriculum, but working with the existing curricula and resources to identify barriers to learning and possible solutions -- in other words, using a sharper knife, a bigger fork, or a deeper spoon to more effectively deal with what's already on your plate! The information in this book will be useful to individual teachers seeking to improve their craft, or to groups of teachers collaborating to support student success in science. In particular, general educators and special educators who are co-teaching science may find valuable common ground in the ideas presented in the book. Even if you are familiar with these frameworks, we believe you will find something new within these pages"--







Research in Education


Book Description