Have you ever built a course, only to realize halfway through that the lessons don’t quite match the goals—or worse, learners aren’t walking away with the skills you hoped? That’s where backward design comes in.
Backward design flips the script on traditional course development by starting with the end in mind. Instead of asking, “What should I teach?” we ask, “What should learners be able to do by the end of this course?”
Let’s dive into what backward design is, why it works, and how you can use it to create courses that truly stick.
What is Backward Design?
Backward design is a framework popularized by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe in Understanding by Design (UbD). The idea is simple:
- Identify desired results – Define clear learning goals.
- Determine acceptable evidence – Decide how learners will demonstrate mastery.
- Plan learning experiences and instruction – Design activities, lessons, and materials that align with goals and assessments.
In other words, you start with the destination, then map the road to get there.
Why Backward Design Works?
Backward design isn’t just theory—it solves real challenges:
- Keeps Courses Aligned: Everything connects back to the end goal, so learners aren’t stuck wondering, Why am I learning this?
- Improves Assessment: By planning assessments early, you ensure they measure what really matters.
- Saves Time: No more building lessons that feel flashy but don’t support objectives.
- Boosts Engagement: When learners see the direct path from lesson to real-world outcome, motivation increases.
Backward Design in Action: A Real Example
Imagine you’re creating an eLearning course for customer service reps.
- Step 1 – Identify Desired Results: Learners should be able to de-escalate an upset customer call.
- Step 2 – Determine Acceptable Evidence: Learners successfully role-play or complete a branching scenario showing they can calm the situation and resolve the issue.
- Step 3 – Plan Learning Experiences: You design:
- Short video demos of de-escalation techniques,
- Interactive branching scenarios,
- Peer feedback sessions to practice responses.
By starting with the end goal (handling tough calls), you avoid wasting time on unrelated theory and keep learners focused on what matters.
How to Apply Backward Design in Your Next Project
Here are a few quick tips to get started:
- Write Measurable Objectives: Use action verbs like “analyze,” “demonstrate,” or “design” rather than vague terms like “understand.”
- Match Assessment to Objectives: If your goal is for learners to perform, don’t just test with multiple-choice quizzes—use scenarios or projects.
- Design Activities That Lead to Mastery: Every reading, video, or discussion should push learners closer to achieving the objective.
- Review and Refine: After implementation, collect feedback and adjust. Backward design is iterative!
Your Turn:
Final Thoughts
Backward design takes a little more planning upfront, but the payoff is huge. Instead of disjointed lessons, you’ll create courses that are streamlined, effective, and focused on real learner success.
When you start with the end in mind, you create training that doesn’t just inform—it transforms.
Ready to design training that truly delivers results? Let’s talk about how backward design can transform your next course.
Contact California Dingo Media Today!
Thanks for reading!
David
(Cali Dingo)