What is Understanding? Understanding is … a mental construct.. An abstraction made by the human mind to make sense of many distinct pieces of knowledge. Understanding is … the result of facts acquiring meaning for the learner To grasp the meaning of a thing or situation is to see it in its relations to other things; causes, consequences, relationships. Understanding … according to Bloom, is the ability to marshall skills and facts appropriately and wisely through effective application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

Coverage vs. Uncoverage The stated goal of the standards is to specify key knowledge and skills in a format that makes it clear what teachers and assessments need to focus on. Another goal is to raise the achievement bar to a level comparable to those of the best education systems in the world. What is the goal of Standards?

Standards are not curriculum …Content is key

Coverage vs. Uncoverage What is the goal of teaching? Teaching does not cause learning Only successful attempts by the learner cause learning Teachers can’t give understanding; understanding is a “constructivist” exercise.

Uncoverage is not a certain type of teaching or philosophy of education but the way to make an idea accessible and real, regardless of method. Coverage vs. Uncoverage Uncoverage Teaching is ‘uncovering’

Uncover students’ potential misunderstandings Uncover questions, issues, assumptions under the surface Uncover core ideas at the heart of understanding a subject Coverage vs. Uncoverage

The challenge of working with textbooks is to better understand what they conceal, not just what they reveal.working with textbooks Coverage vs. Uncoverage In the final analysis… Good Teaching Trumps Good Tools Focus on the instruction and learning and not the digital tools

Coverage vs. Uncoverage The textbook is a syllabus or course of study. The text is a resource that supports desired results in Stage 1. Misunderstandings

Coverage vs. Uncoverage With standards we can design good curriculum. Misunderstandings The Overload problem The Goldilocks Problem Some standards lend to individual interpretation

Coverage vs. Uncoverage The teacher’s crucial role: Designing the right Experiences (stage 3) A major mistake in teaching for understanding is not the overreliance on a single approach but the failure to ponder the timing in using the approach. Understanding By Design is about the backwards design of instruction Stage 1 - Desired results Stage 2 – What will count as evidence of Stage 3 – Planning the instruction

Coverage vs. Uncoverage What are the entry points for your design process? Misconception: Everyone must go to college. College is the only path to a good job.must go to college College Understanding: Getting a good job requires hard work, a desire to learn, careful planning, preparation, and effective communication skills. Mrs Gavitt’s Reality show Electronic Career Portfolio