Informal checks for understanding вЂ“ These may include oral responses, observations, quick-writes, exit slips, and open dialog.When we think about collecting evidence of student learning, it is important to consider a wide range of assessment methods. The only way this can be done is through ongoing assessments. It is imperative to student success that you identify the misconceptions and misunderstandings before it is too late. However, this step focuses on both the formative assessments given throughout the unit, as well as the summative assessment at the end. How are you going to know if your students have reached all of the learning goals you have set for them? Often time teachers think about one assessment, and thatвЂ™s the one at the end. You have your list of learning objectives, now what? The second step in planning using backwards design is looking at student assessment. STEP 2: Identify evidence of student learning Finally, are there any pre-requisite or foundational skills your students need in order to meet the standards? These may need to be incorporated into your student goals as well. You may find that adding a learning objective or two is necessary in order to avoid these misconceptions. Once you have done this, start thinking about possible misconceptions your students may have while learning these standards. You will want to start вЂњunpackingвЂќ first. These standards are often broad and need to be вЂњunpackedвЂќ into smaller, more manageable, chunks.

You need to be asking yourself, вЂњWhat do my students need to be able to know, understand, and do by the end of this lesson, unit, course, etc.вЂќДЄ good place to start is looking at the established content standards set by your state and district. Setting your objectives first allows you to keep your focus on student learning rather than student activities throughout the planning process. The first step in designing with the end in mind is identifying the desired results, or learning goals, you would like for your students to acquire by the end.

Backwards design