Does this topic frighten anyone but me? A couple of you have expressed difficulty with changing your framework from the traditional lesson plan to that of the UBD template. Although a bit overwhelming, I am willing to move in the direction of designing by UBD. My pedagogical knowledge has grown to the point that I am almost confident that I can philosophically design by UBD. My concern … oh and this is so hard to admit … is that my content knowledge is not strong enough to do so effectively.
Phew … I admitted it! It scares me that after 5 years of teaching and a masters degree in my content area, I am still not confident that I am prepared to generate essential questions. This is not to say that I don’t understand the examples given in the book. I get it, really I do. But how do I generate essential questions on matrix multiplication?
The examples given in the book are excellent. Upon reading them, I think “GREAT ESSENTIAL QUESTION!” Then my lurking devil side says “Could have you come up with that?”. No, it’s not a matter of confidence. As a matter of fact, I am the most well educated teacher in my department. It’s reality. I worry that if it is my reality, how realistic is it that others (with less background) can create good designs by UBD standards?
Part of the solution may be to design collaboratively. I’ve been working with a colleague recently and we certainly have become adept at working off each others ideas. Still, it is hard to believe that, given our schedules, all teachers will have time to meet with their colleagues for each unit. I guess maybe it’s something to aim for as budding administrators!
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Don't be afraid to say it. It is scary to change everything you've done for 5, even 7 years like myself. You make an excellent point: Do we know our content well enough to follow the UBD template. It is all new to us. Keep it up. I have a feeling it will be better in the long run.
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