Backward Design (UbD)
Start with outcomes, then assessments, then activities
When you need to design a complete learning experience from scratch
You're planning a workshop, training, or learning session and need a proven structure to organize your content and activities.
Desired Results
Identify what participants should know, understand, and be able to do by the end of the meeting; this ensures everyone is clear on the meeting's purpose and goals before diving into the details.
Assessment Evidence
Determine how you'll measure if participants achieved the desired results, such as through a quick poll, a short quiz, or observing specific behaviors; this provides tangible ways to gauge the meeting's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
Learning Plan
Design the specific activities, discussions, and presentations that will help participants achieve the desired results and demonstrate their understanding; this ensures the meeting content is directly aligned with the goals and assessment methods.
Ensures your session has clear goals, logical flow, and measurable outcomes.
Activities are designed backward from your session goal, ensuring every method serves the end outcome.
- 1Start by defining what success looks like at the end
- 2Work backwards from outcomes to activities
- 3Build in checkpoints to verify learning
- 4Allow time for practice and application