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Premium Member Book (Apr 2015)

Solving 25 Problems in Unit Design: How do I refine my units to enhance student learning? (ASCD Arias)

by Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins

Select a link to read sample content.

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  • Introduction
  • Problems with Unit Goals (Stage 1)
    • Problem 1. The unit is overly activity oriented
    • Problem 2. The unit is coverage oriented
    • Problem 3. The unit is test-prep oriented
    • Problem 4. The unit targets too many standards
    • Problem 5. The unit lacks understanding-based goals
    • Problem 6. The unit goals are not clearly related
    • Problem 7. Essential questions—aren't
    • Problem 8. Unit goals fail to distinguish means versus ends
    • Problem 9. Failing to distinguish between knowledge and skill objectives
  • Problems with Assessment Evidence (Stage 2)
    • Problem 10. The proposed assessments do not provide appropriate evidence for all unit goals
    • Problem 11. There is insufficient evidence of learning to ensure reliable assessment
    • Problem 12. Performance tasks are contrived and inauthentic
    • Problem 13. Performance assessment tasks are not worth the effort
    • Problem 14. Performance tasks or projects may not yield valid assessment evidence for individual students
    • Problem 15. The evaluative criteria or rubric(s) are invalid
  • Problems with the Learning Plan (Stage 3)
    • Problem 16. The proposed learning plan does not address the targeted understandings and essential questions
    • Problem 17. Unit does not include pre-assessments
    • Problem 18. Unit plan fails to anticipate and check for possible or predictable misconceptions
    • Problem 19. Unit lacks ongoing formative assessments
    • Problem 20. Unit plan does not include time for needed adjustments
    • Problem 21. The learning sequence is too linear and likely to bore or confuse learners
    • Problem 22. The learning plan does not adequately prepare students to transfer their learning
    • Problem 23. The learning plan is not differentiated
    • Problem 24. There is no plan for increasing student autonomy and transfer of learning
    • Problem 25. The learning plan is not aligned with the goals and/or assessments
  • References
  • About the Authors
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  • Copyright

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Copyright © 2015 by Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from ASCD.

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  • To translate this book, contact translations@ascd.org
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