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Backward Design

This guide is primarily for teaching ART 4392/5392 students how to prepare to teach their workshops in the FabLab, but it is generally applicable to anyone who wants an overview of the Backward Design method of curriculum planning.

Identify Desired Outcomes

In the first step of the Backward Design method, you will identify desirable learning outcomes for your students. Ask yourself, "What do I want my students to learn?".

Learning outcomes are specific and concise statements about your expectations of your students. They should not be vague or left up to too much interpretation by the students. They should reflect measurable actions, not ideas. Below are examples of learning outcomes. Can you tell the good from the bad? For each in the list, ask yourself, "Is this specific or too vague?", and, "Is this measurable?".

  • Students will be able to draw geometrically perfect circles by freehand.
  • Students will understand Adobe Photoshop filters.
  • Students will demonstrate their understanding of 3D model "manifoldness" by 3D printing both manifold and non-manifold 3D models that they have designed. 
  • Students will know how to refill 3D printer filament.

Limiting the scope and domain for your expectations will help you to visualize and write good learning outcomes. 

Scope: Your expectations of students should be realistic, in that they can be taught what you want them to learn within the confines of a one- or two-hour workshop, within the limitations of the FabLab environment, and with equipment and materials at-hand. Large projects or long processes should not be expected from students; by breaking those into component parts or operations you may be able to teach a smaller portion of the project or activity within these confines. For example, 3D printing is actually a set of many small processes. You may wish to focus on one of them, such as verifying manifoldness, configuring the printer, or cleaning a printed part. Each of those things could be done within the confines and limitations mentioned above.

Domain: Do not try to teach something that you do not already know yourself. Limit your potential learning outcomes to things that you are confident about in your own knowledge, then narrow that list to things you enjoy and do well. You should be able to deliver a successful workshop on a topic you have already learned in this course, you will not need (nor should you attempt) to learn a new skill to teach while you're in the process of planning the workshop.