Understanding by Design
Determine Acceptable Evidence
Summary of UbD Stage #2
In UbD stage #2, we will take the desired results from stage #1 and design assessments that will show evidence of the student's learning. Performance tasks, with associated criteria, will need to be created that will demonstrate understanding and the ability to transfer the learning to other situations. Along with performance tasks, assessments will be developed for students to demonstrate evidence of knowledge and skills needed for completion of the performance task (Wiggins and McTighe, 2011).
Performance tasks are the heart of the learning process. Such tasks are authentic, independent projects or performances that should be real and relevant to the student's life.Performance tasks should demonstrate understanding of the big lesson idea that you want students to learn, remember, and be able to apply independently to their lives (transfer and understanding goals). Assessing a performance task can be more time consuming because it is not an objective assessment with right/wrong answers. These assessments will require a good deal of thought on how to fairly evaluate the project or performance. Rubrics are one often used method used to measure performance tasks.
Other evidence of learning is another component of UbD stage #2. Assessment methods for measuring students knowledge and skills of a lesson are also important. These assessments can often be objective tests that determine if students have acquired the necessary vocabulary, formatting, facts, historical information, and concepts that support the larger goals of understanding and transfer. Knowledge and skills are necessary learning for the student, but are in themselves not the final goal as they do not achieve the higher level long-term goal of independent thinking and transfer to new situations.
Wiggins, Grant and McTigh, Jay (2011). Understanding by Desing - Creating High-Quality Units. Alexandria, VA: ASCD