EDU-NB 800: Using Backwards Design to Improve Teaching

Overview

The purpose of this course is to develop the understandings and skills necessary to complete Entry 1 of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process by describing, analyzing and reflecting on your teaching practice. This course is intended for current and future national board candidates or those wishing to improve their practice by applying the National Board Standards.

This course will focus on the use of backwards design in developing a unit plan of study. Backwards design is an approach to unit planning that focuses on identifying standards and intended; learning first, determining which assessments will be used and, then, planning activities needed to meet the identified standards.

Particular emphasis will be placed on differentiating instruction according to the individual needs of the students in your class. You will also learn about how to apply National Board Teaching Standards to your own teaching setting.

During the course of this class, you will plan a unit of study utilizing backwards design that differentiates instruction according to the needs of your students. After teaching the unit, you will collect student work samples and analyze those work samples according to intended learning outcomes.

The course project involves completing a written commentary that includes identifying intended learning outcomes, describing teaching strategies, providing the research base for pedagogical decisions, analyzing student work and learning, and reflecting on the impact on student learning.

The National Board Certification Standards, which are based on Five Core Propositions, provide a framework that teachers can follow to ensure they continue to improve their practice. Teachers have clearly defined standards for accomplished practice and these standards can serve to guide the development of accomplished teachers. Participation in this course will help you improve your teaching by helping you apply accomplished teaching standards in your classroom.

While this course provides valuable information and strategies that will be helpful in your pursuit of National Board certification, it is not a guarantee that you will achieve certification. The requirements and assessment of your performance in this class is different than the assessment of your entries, possibly resulting in different results.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Develop and teach a unit plan that utilizes backwards design and differentiates instruction for the individual needs of students.
• Analyze and evaluate student work samples as evidence of accomplished teaching practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of accomplished teaching standards of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
• Describe, analyze and reflect on teaching practices relative to accomplished teaching standards.

Required Texts
EDU-NB 800 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore