UbD as Curriculum Framework

This chapter presents an application of what has been previously seen in a more global picture: the curriculum. The authors propose that “the syllabus be a public document, available to students, parents, and colleagues.”  What is more, they suggest that the syllabus should follow the same standards as small units. Thus, there is a list of basic elements that must be present in any curriculum:

·         Essential questions and core problems

·         Expected performances that demonstrate learning

·         Rubrics and scoring systems

·         Assessment principles

·         Major learning goals

Although these principles make a lot of sense, it would be ideal to have the possibility to apply them in a real context. I feel that UbD is quite an interesting way of approaching curriculum design, but I also feel we lack knowledge of basic aspects related to the structure and main elements of a syllabus.  Besides, most of the time it is not us the ones who create the curriculum, we just have to follow it… I guess we just have to try to do our best, even if we don’t have the necessary tools or skills.