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Understanding is. “…the ability to think and act flexibly with what one knows.”. David Perkins in Teaching for Understanding, Wiske et al (1998). Engages students in active discovery.
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Understanding is... “…the ability to think and act flexibly with what one knows.” David Perkins in Teaching for Understanding, Wiske et al (1998)
Engages students in active discovery Facilitates the construction of knowledge through a series of increasingly challenging “performances” Is central to a domain or discipline Carefully scaffolds activities and group interactions Involves a cyclical, reflective process Provides multiple entry points Teaching for Understanding
TfU A Framework for CURRICULUM DESIGN
TfU Understanding Goals Performances ofUnderstanding Generative Topic Framework Elements Ongoing Assessment Reflective, CollaborativeCommunity
TfU Framework Elements Generative Topic Relates to multiple important ideas in a discipline Connects to teacher’s passion Relevant to students’ lives and experiences Accessible through multiple entry points “Bottomless”
TfU Framework Elements Understanding Goals V Support overarching goals (“Throughlines”) V Address targets of difficulty for teacher and students V Connect to challenging material deep within a discipline* • Knowledge • Methods • Forms • Purposes *Some goals also may address technology proficiency and 21st century skills
TfU Framework Elements Performances of Understanding • “Messing About” • Introductory • Guided • Culminating Linked to goals and ongoing assessment
TfU Framework Elements OngoingAssessment Teacher assessment Peer assessment Self-assessment Some performances also are assessments Explicit Cyclical Metacognitive
TfU Framework Elements Reflective, Collaborative Community Representing and communicating one’s experiences Co-constructing understanding with others Recognizing diverse cultural perspectives Joint problem-solving
TfU Framework Elements Two Examples Middle School Social Studies: Understanding Byzantium High School Science: Equilibrium
New Technology and Teaching for Understanding Use same tools used by practitioners Allow learners to pursuedifferent aspects of a topic Supportexperimentation Connect to authentic collaborators & audiences Allow individual inquiry Access toreal data and artifacts Make abstract concepts visible Keep goals visible Present ideas in multiple media Make collaboration efficient Support independent learning Provide access to many cultures and disciplines Provide immediatefeedback
Teaching for Understanding with New Technologies develops 21st Century Literacies Digital Age Literacy Inventive Thinking Capacity for complexity Self-direction Curiosity, creativity, risk-taking Higher order thinking, reasoning Science, economics, technology Visual & information Multicultural & global Effective Communication Collaboration & interpersonal skill Personal, civic & social responsibility Interactive communication High Productivity Prioritizing, planning, results Use of “real world tools” Ability to produce quality products Teachers’ and Students’ Parallel Learning