Backward Design: Start with the End in Mind

Have you ever created a learning experience that left you wondering whether your learners truly understood the point? Backward Design might be the solution you've been seeking. This transformative approach flips the traditional instructional design process on its head by starting with clear learning outcomes before planning activities or selecting content.

Throughout this episode, I break down each stage with practical examples, like designing customer service training where representatives learn to de-escalate complaints using a specific conflict resolution model. You'll discover how Backward Design helps you avoid common pitfalls like content overload and misaligned assessments. When we design with the end in mind, we create more meaningful learning journeys that lead to genuine understanding rather than mere content consumption.

Whether you're a novice instructional designer, an experienced educator, or just curious about creating more effective learning experiences, this episode provides concrete strategies you can implement immediately. As Stephen Covey reminds us, "Begin with the end in mind." Because when we design backwards, we're truly designing forward for impact, growth, and lasting transformation. Ready to rethink your approach to design? Join me in this enlightening exploration of Backward Design.

🔗 Episode Links:

Please check out the resources mentioned in the episode. Enjoy!

A Guide to Backward Design

Understanding by Design Framework

Send Jackie a Text

Join PodMatch!
Use the link to join PodMatch, a place for hosts and guests to connect.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

💟 Designing with Love + allows you to support the show by keeping the mic on and the ideas flowing. Click on the link above to provide your support.

☕ Buy Me a Coffee is another way you can support the show, either as a one-time gift or through a monthly subscription.

🗣️ Want to be a guest on Designing with Love? Send Jackie Pelegrin a message on PodMatch, here: Be a guest on the show

🌐 Check out the show's website here: Designing with Love

📱 Send a text to the show by clicking the Send Jackie a Text link above.

👍🏼 Please make sure to like and share this episode with others. Here's to great learning!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hello and welcome to the Designing with Love podcast.
I am your host, Jackie Pelegrin, where my goal is to bring you
information, tips and tricks asan instructional designer.
Hello, GCU students, alumni,and fellow educators, welcome to
episode 47 of the Designingwith Love podcast.

(00:22):
In today's episode, we'rediving into a concept that flips
the traditional design processon its head backwards design.
If you're a noviceinstructional designer, or even
just curious about the process,this episode is for you.
So grab a coffee, get cozy, andlet's design with love.

(00:44):
Backwards design is a frameworkthat starts with the end in mind
.
Rather than beginning withcontent or fun activities.
You start by identifying whatyou want learners to understand
or be able to do by the end ofyour course or training.
The model was popularized byGrant Wiggins and Jay McTee in
their book Understanding byDesign, published in 2005.

(01:07):
The model has three key stagesIdentify desired results,
determine acceptable evidenceand plan learning experiences
and instruction.
Let's take a few minutes tounpack each of these stages.
Stage one identify desiredresults.
This stage is all aboutanswering the following question

(01:28):
what should learners know,understand and be able to do at
the end of this learningexperience?
During this stage, it is a goodidea to ask yourself the
following questions what are thelearning goals or objectives?
What are the essential thingslearners need to understand and
what big ideas should learnersretain long after the course

(01:50):
ends?
For example, if you'redesigning a training for
customer service representatives, the desired result might be as
follows Representatives will beable to de-escalate customer
service complaints using athree-step conflict resolution
model.
This becomes your guide, thegoal.
You'll design everything elsearound.

(02:10):
Stage two determine acceptableevidence.
All right, so, now that youknow the destination, how will
you know if your learners getthere?
This stage is about assessments, both formative and summative.
However, it's not just aboutquizzes or tests.
Think about role plays,simulations, projects or

(02:30):
real-life tasks that showlearners truly understand and
can apply what they have learned.
Let's go back to our customerservice example.
Some acceptable forms ofevidence could be as follows.
Acceptable forms of evidencecould be as follows A video

(02:51):
recording of a mock customerinteraction or a written
reflection on how the three-stepmodel was applied.
This stage ensures you're notjust teaching the content, but
preparing learners todemonstrate mastery in
meaningful ways.
Stage three plan learningexperiences and instruction.
Here's where you finally get toplan your lessons and
activities.
No-transcript.

(03:13):
Now that you know your goalsand your assessments, you can
ask the following what knowledgeand skills do learners need to
succeed on those assessments?
What instructional strategies,resources or technologies
support the learning?
And what activities will makethe learning stick?
Designing backwards keeps thelearning focused, intentional
and aligned.

(03:33):
If you're new to instructionaldesign, it's tempting to start
with what's fun, such as videos,games, tools and slides.
But the power of backwardsdesign is that it grounds you in
purpose first.
This approach helps you to dothe following Number one stay
aligned with learning outcomes.
Number two avoid contentoverload.

(03:55):
Number three learning outcomes.
Number two avoid contentoverload.
Number three build meaningfulassessments.
And finally, number four createa more impactful
learner-centered experience.
When you designed with the endin mind, you're not just
throwing content at learners.
You're guiding them on ajourney toward real
understanding.
So if you're just gettingstarted, remember start with the

(04:16):
why, then figure out the how.
As a recap, we covered whatbackwards design is, a breakdown
of the three stages in themodel and why backwards design
matters in instructional design.
You're welcome to check out theinteractive diagram that covers
the key details covered in thisepisode, which is provided in
the show notes.
In addition, you can visit thecompanion blog site for more

(04:39):
details and to leave a commentabout how you have utilized this
model in your projects.
Now, if today's episode hashelped bring some clarity or
inspiration to yourinstructional design journey,
please share the episode with afriend or colleague who is just
starting out.
Chances are they're navigatingthe same questions.
The content in this episodemight just be the encouragement

(05:02):
they need.
As I conclude this episode,here's an inspiring quote by
Stephen Covey Begin with the endin mind, because when we design
backwards, we're reallydesigning forward For impact,
for growth and always for love.
Thank you for taking some timeto listen to this podcast
episode today.

(05:23):
Your support means the world tome.
If you'd like to help keep thepodcast going, you can share it
with a friend or colleague,leave a heartfelt review or
offer a monetary contribution.
Every act of support, big orsmall, makes a difference and
I'm truly thankful for you.