How does the combined backward design and technology-rich focus impact your unit design?
This question can be viewed from two angles, a professional and person view. I will answer this from the professional view first.
Professional View: The backwards design allows me to see the whole picture of my unit in an organized way. This is helpful to an unorganized teacher. The backwards design allows me to understand my objectives and essential questions better. Essentially, I know what my students will do to show understanding of the objective. This means I create assessments that accurately display what my students must know by the end of the unit. Backwards design allows me to scaffold lessons so the unit can come together step-by-step for students and the teacher.
The technology integration is easier with a unit design. If my goal is to integrate a specific tool, such as PowerPoint into my lessons, backwards design helps me also scaffold their learning through this creative tool. Designing the unit, with technology, gives me ideas on how to prepare lessons and technology materials before teaching, which saves on valuable time. Lastly, a technology assessment that doesn't involve multiple choice questions is a disruptive tool to knowing what my students know. I like using interactive, real-life scenarios, with technology for students to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts. Students love it too.
Personal View: Sometimes, I think I am writing scripts when I backwards design. This helps me stay organized and have an overall view of what I want to accomplish. However, I tend to get frustrated by following scripts as my creativity is always running wild and the lessons aren't always simple. The thing is, if my students aren't understanding a concept, then I have to re-teach in a different way. Therefore, I tend to stick with teaching by the ways I know my students have been successful. Why I like the backwards design with technology integration, I know I need to be flexible with my lessons.
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