Backward Design and Concept Based Teaching Connections

Backward design and Concept Based Teaching Connections

The teaching models of Backwards Design and Concept Based Teaching are very similar. Their main objective is to provide students with the “why” and “how” of learning. So much of education focuses on the simple facts that do not require the learner to think. I completely agree that students gain so much more when they are expected to use and relate the information that they are learning to a bigger picture. I also believe that students are more motivated to learn if they know how to apply and use new information.

·         Both BD and CBI want the learner to dig deeper.

o   Students should be exposed deeper thinking. Teachers should not stop at just the memorization of facts that is present in the 2D model of teaching.

o   Critical thinking and analyzing information is very significant.

§  One way to use in class –  Questioning for Stories

·         Place the child in the character’s shoes, what would you have done?

·         What are some other effects that might have happened when the character did not listen to his dad?

·         A belief in building connections

o   Building connections using new knowledge and prior knowledge is important.

o   Concepts should build on one another. Students should be able to apply new information to what they have learned in the past. This shows that they have a deep understanding of what they are learning.

§  One way to use in class – Explain the “why” and “how”

·         Tell the students why we are learning each concept and how they will use it in the future. Have them explain any connections that they see.

·         An essential question

o   Students create the question in the CBI article. They research, plan and write a question that shows that they are thinking critically about the topic.

o   The BD model is also centered on an essential question. The teacher uses this question to plan and create lessons that answer that essential question.

§  One way to use in class – Have the students create their own essential question based off of what they would like to learn about the new concept.

·         Both Motivate the Learner

o   Both BD and CBI want the students to be involved.

o   They both value the thinking of the learner.  Erickson explains that the CBT model values and respects the individual by “drawing understandings from” rather than “telling understandings to.”

§  One way to use in class – Class discussions on book characters and math concepts.

·         If you were the author what verbs would you use to describe how the character was feeling?