Backward design is a method of developing an educational curriculum in which goals are established before selecting instructional techniques and forms of assessment. Backward curriculum design typically involves three stages:
- Determining the desired outcomes (big ideas and skills).
- Determining acceptable levels of evidence that support the desired outcomes (culminating assessment tasks).
- Create activities that will result in the desired outcomes (learning events).
Backward design, also known as backward planning or backward mapping, is a process used by educators to create learning experiences and instructional techniques that meet specific learning objectives. The backward design begins with a unit’s or course’s objectives of what students are expected to learn and be able to do and then works “backward” to create lessons that achieve those desired goals. The educational goals of a course or unit in most public schools will be a given state’s learning standards, that is, concise, written descriptions of what students are expected to be aware of and be able to execute at a specific stage of their education process.
Starting with the end goal, rather than the first lesson delivered chronologically during a unit or course, helps teachers design a sequence of lessons, problems, projects, presentations, assignments, and assessments which result in students achieving the required academic achievement for a required course or program.
