Backward Design
Backward design is a method of design that requires setting the end goals before choosing the instructional methods and forms of assessment. First, identify what students should know, understand, or be able to do at the end of the course, at the end of a portion of a course (unit or module, for example), or at the end of an activity or assignment. Next, determine what types of evidence would support that those goals had been met. Finally, design activities, assignments and/or assessments that will allow for that evidence to be collected.
Designing Course Goals and Learning Objectives
Course Goals:
Course goals reflect the larger ideas of what you want student to know and understand through your course and are most successful when aligned with larger program goals, disciplinary goals, or professional standards. Frequently, course goals are not measurable and use verbs like “know” and “understand”; because they represent big ideas and can be broad and vague.
Course goals reflect essential questions for your course and/or discipline.
Example: Upon successful completion of this course, students will understand the scientific method.
Learning Objectives:
Learning objective are connected to or stem from a course goal; in other words, course goals and learning objectives should be intentionally aligned.
Each learning objective should reflect what you want your students to be able to do. Each learning objective should be measurable (Bloom’s Taxonomy verbs). Each learning objective should be observable. Each learning objective should target one specific aspect of student performance. This might be an aspect of student performance related to the overall course, a particular unit, or an individual activity and/or assignment.
Example: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to evaluate sources of information.
Example: Upon successful completion of the assignment (literature review), students will be able to find, select, use and combine information from a range of sources.
Why use academic technologies, such as the Adobe Creative CLoud, in your course design?
