Backwards Design

Backwards design is an instructional design approach that starts with the desired learning outcomes and works backwards to develop the learning experiences and assessments. This approach is based on the principle that the best way to ensure that learners achieve the desired learning outcomes is to start by defining those outcomes clearly, and then design the learning experiences and assessments to support them.

Backward design is a three-stage process

Identifying the desired results: This stage involves determining what learners should know, understand, and be able to do by the end of the learning experience. The desired results should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Determining acceptable evidence of learning: At this stage, identify the types of assessments that will measure whether learners have achieved the desired results. Align the assessments with the desired results and ensure that they provide meaningful feedback to learners.
Designing learning activities and experiences: This stage involves planning the learning activities and experiences that will help learners achieve the desired results. The learning activities and experiences should be engaging, challenging, and relevant to the desired results.

Backward design has several benefits for both educators and learners. For educators, backward design helps to ensure that the course content and assessments are aligned with the desired learning outcomes. This can lead to more effective teaching and learning. For learners, backward design helps to clarify the expectations and provide a clear roadmap for success.

One of the key benefits of backward design is that it emphasizes the importance of assessment. When assessments are aligned with the desired learning outcomes, they can provide valuable information about student progress and inform instructional decisions. This can lead to deeper understanding and long-term retention for learners.

Another benefit of backward design is that it promotes meaningful learning experiences. When learners are working towards clearly defined learning goals, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated. Additionally, when learners clearly understand the expectations, they are better able to connect the learning to their own lives and experiences. Align the learning experiences with the assessments (Ask yourself the question: “What must I learn to take the assessments best?”). Focus the learning experiences on the learning outcomes.

Overall, backward design is a comprehensive instructional design approach that offers several benefits for both educators and learners. By starting with the desired learning outcomes and working backwards to design the learning experiences and assessments, educators can create more effective and meaningful learning experiences for their learners.

Benefits of Backward Design

Backward design can help to reduce the amount of time and effort that educators spend on curriculum development. Educators can identify the most essential content and activities to include in the curriculum by focusing on the desired learning outcomes.
Backward design can help to improve student achievement. Educators can ensure that learners are focused on the most important aspects of the curriculum by aligning the learning experiences and assessments with the desired learning outcomes.
Backward design can help to promote equity in the classroom. By setting clear learning goals for all learners, educators can more easily identify and address any gaps in learning.

Examples of how educators can use backward design

A maths professor might start by identifying the desired learning outcomes for a unit on fractions. Then, the teacher would develop assessments to measure whether learners have achieved those learning outcomes. Finally, the teacher would design learning activities and experiences to help learners achieve the desired learning outcomes.
A science teacher might start by identifying the desired learning outcomes for a unit on the solar system. Then, the teacher would develop assessments to measure whether learners have achieved those learning outcomes. Finally, the teacher would design learning activities and experiences to help learners achieve the desired learning outcomes.
A language arts trainer might start by identifying the desired learning outcomes for a unit on writing a persuasive essay. Then, the teacher would develop assessments to measure whether learners have achieved those learning outcomes. Finally, the teacher would design learning activities and experiences to help learners achieve the desired learning outcomes.

Backward design can be used in any subject area and at any grade level. It is a valuable tool for educators who want to create effective and meaningful learning experiences for their learners.

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Background Information

Backwards design is a top-down instructional design approach. This means that it starts with the desired learning outcomes and works backwards to develop the learning experiences and assessments.

A bottom-up instructional design approach, on the other hand, starts with the individual components of the lesson and works upwards to develop the overall learning experience. This can involve identifying existing resources, such as textbooks and websites, and then developing learning activities and assessments around them.

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between top-down and bottom-up instructional design:

Top-down	Bottom-up
Starts with the desired learning outcomes.	Starts with the individual components of the lesson.
Focuses on alignment of learning experiences and assessments with desired learning outcomes	Focuses on the individual components of the lesson and how they fit together
More likely to result in a cohesive and focused learning experience	More likely to result in a fragmented learning experience
More likely to promote deeper understanding and long-term retention	More likely to promote rote memorization

Example of a top-down instructional design process:

Identify the desired learning outcomes.
Determine acceptable evidence of learning.
Design learning activities and experiences.

Example of a bottom-up instructional design process:

Identify existing resources, such as textbooks and websites.
Develop learning activities and assessments around the existing resources.
Sequence the learning activities and assessments into a coherent learning experience.

Which approach is better?

Backwards Design as a top-down process is a perfect tool to develop lessons, units or even complete training courses. In Flipped learning 3.0, there is no other alternative and you should use Backwards Design exclusively.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best approach will depend on the specific context, including the nature of the task, the resources available, and the desired outcome.

Top-down design is preferred for complex tasks because it ensures that all components align with the desired outcome. Bottom-up design is preferred for simpler tasks or when existing resources are available.

In general, top-down design is more likely to result in a cohesive and focused learning experience. Bottom-up design is more likely to result in a fragmented learning experience. However, bottom-up design can be useful for adapting existing resources to a new teaching context.