Describe the "backward design" approach in lesson planning.

The backward design approach in lesson planning begins with identifying the desired learning outcomes or goals that students should achieve by the end of a lesson or unit. This method emphasizes clarity in what students need to know and be able to do, which informs the development of assessments and instructional strategies.

By starting with the end in mind, educators can create more purposeful and aligned lesson plans. They work backwards from these established outcomes to determine the necessary steps and educational experiences that will effectively support student learning. This organization ensures that teaching activities, resources, and assessments are all aligned with the overarching goals, allowing for a more cohesive and targeted instructional approach.

In contrast, planning that focuses primarily on teaching activities might lack alignment with specific learning outcomes, which can lead to gaps in student understanding. Similarly, emphasizing assessments over learning objectives could skew focus away from actual learning, while a technique that ignores student outcomes would fail to provide any clear direction for teaching effectiveness or student achievement.