I've had a chance to look at a couple of different design plans recently. I posted previously about my BHAG and now I've had a chance to look at the understanding by design template.
The BHAG and UbD template seem to work well in tandem. The BHAG sets the stage for an overarching outcome and then allows for a few mini goals that support the larger outcome. The UbD template allows a designer to look at the mini goals and determine how they work together, build on each other and/or weave together. I'd have to work through the UbD stages many times over to get to all the mini goals and connections that are part of my BHAG. Because we are houseful of little bakers and chefs, I've come to think of the BHAG a whole cake made up of supporting layers. The UbD template looks at the layers and the different ingredients and flavors that make up the layers. The BHAG cake can be stacked up a variety of ways depending on the vision/goal of the baker.
Now that I have really dug in to the BHAG and UbD template, what does that mean for my learning? How will it change what I do in the future? In my learning philosophy, I discuss the experiential component of learning. In order to really internalize my learning, I need to do it, live it, and use it. Having the opportunity to really do the design work coupled with the ability to edit and improve the design work is vital to ensuring that my own learning is applied to future design work. The feedback and revision process are integral in making sure the design work is fine tuned and adjusted to meet the needs of the learners. As an educator, I must utilize feedback provided to me as a learner that will in turn, result in deeper and more meaningful design work that should improve my role as an educator. Educators as learners is an easy, natural, and perfectly aligned fit when we begin with the end. Knowing the goal drives the assessment, the activities, and our own learning that must be done to ensure that we are prepared to be facilitators of learning and understanding our own why.
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