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Blueprint
Learning to Read

UbD
Design Template

Comparing and contrasting Fink’s 3-Column Table with the UbD Template.

 

Although I would not say I like to make direct comparisons, exploring the similarities and differences between the 3-column table and the UbD model can enrich my understanding of both approaches and improve my educational practice. Analyzing these tools from different perspectives gives me a complete view of designing and evaluating compelling learning experiences. Furthermore, during the realization process, I have identified strengths and areas of improvement in my lesson plans, where the best starting point would be to integrate elements of both to create a personalized approach that best suits the needs of my students.

Both approaches are instructional design tools that share a common goal: To help educators plan and develop practical learning experiences for students. However, they present some differences in terms of their structure and approach.

Planning Design:

  • Fink's 3-column table focuses on planning across three main dimensions and their objectives: learning goals, teaching activities, and assessment. It focuses on clearly aligning objectives with corresponding activities and assessments.

  • The UbD template is based on a reverse design process, starting with the end, that is, with the desired learning outcomes and working backward to the teaching and assessment activities.

Evaluating each design and considering my learning context and the objectives aligned with my Innovation Plan, I consider the Understanding by Design (UbD) template the most effective because it allows me to have a comprehensive approach that considers not only the content. Specific. What I teach, as well as the general learning objectives and the overall development of the student, are not limited to the acquisition of knowledge but also include the development of skills, attitudes, and positive dispositions towards learning.

Adaptability and versatility.

  • Fink's model designs lessons and activities that align with students' learning objectives and interests without being limited by a rigid structure.

  • The UbD template is a practical tool that provides a flexible framework for educators to design coherent lesson plans, ensuring a clear focus on desired learning outcomes.

The 3-column table and the UbD template could be practical for teaching students to write informational texts after researching and appropriately using sources such as books, websites, and experts. However, in this aspect, I would use the 3-column table since it allows me to plan each stage of the writing process in detail, from the initial research to the final presentation of the informative text. This allows the activities and resources to easily adapt according to the student's needs.

 

Clarity and simplicity.

  • The 3-column table is characterized by its simple and visually organized structure.

  • The UbD template also provides a more detailed format and requires a deeper understanding of design principles.

Focus on practical application.

The UbD model highlights the importance of applying learning in diverse situations, helping teachers create experiences that allow students to use their knowledge in various new contexts.

In conclusion, choosing between Fink's 3-column table and the understanding by design (UbD) approach will depend on educators' goals, preferences, specific context, and the learning environment. While Fink's table stands out for its simplicity and flexibility, UbD offers a more detailed and organized framework, focusing on practical knowledge transfer.

How the two different design processes have contributed to my ability to design learning environments and how this will help me with my innovation plan.

 

Reflecting on my experience designing innovative learning environments, Fink's 3-column table and Understanding by Design (UbD) processes have been fundamental pillars in my ability to create effective and engaging instructional blueprints. In the context of my Innovation Plan, focused on "Learning to write in early childhood education through Blended Learning," these frameworks have helped me develop a student-centered approach tailored to their individual needs for teaching and learning. 

 Planning a class is like creating a detailed map for a trip. The starting point to the final destination is taken into account. This implies that you must consider a series of elements such as a journey map, destinations and objectives, routes and sequences, and flexibility and adaptability. Immersed in the analysis and development of both designs, the 3-column table and the Ubd temple, I discovered some essential elements that I should have considered when rethinking and planning the development of a class. He planned highly structured class lessons, guided and followed by a set program considering kindergarten grade standards. Today, I have a different vision of planning a class. The development of the Ubd temple allowed me to understand that regardless of whether we have to follow a study program, the teacher must design a class where the student's individualities and the group's characteristics are considered. It is going beyond the standards and study programs since it is not a rigid process but rather a changing and adaptable one. It considers the study programs designed with creativity and purpose in each element you establish.

For example, I had never considered how to introduce a new topic to my students. I only followed the study program that, although very well structured, only attracts the attention of a small group of students, leaving those with kinesthetic learning and others with concentration deficits inconsolable. Today, I am more open and less rigid, and I can be more creative in my planning, creating different types of activities such as role-playing and character imitations, something that kindergarteners need to do: learning by playing. The UbD framework has encouraged me to consider the depth of understanding and application of knowledge in various situations, aligning perfectly with the objectives of my innovation plan.

On the other hand, the 3-column table has allowed me to break down the learning objectives into specific components, stories such as activities, evaluations, and resources, which has helped me to have a detailed vision of the purpose and look for the why of each aspect of my teaching plan. This has been especially useful so everything is apparent between the activities, evaluations, and learning objectives. It has been beneficial in ensuring that I consider the broader context and situational factors when designing my innovation plan. It has encouraged flexibility in my planning, allowing me to adapt the design to our specific educational context. In summary, the combination of Fink's 3-column table and the principles of Understanding by Design have significantly impacted my ability to create effective learning environments. I was teaching the importance of beginning with the end. These approaches will likely be crucial to student success by fostering flexibility, meeting educational objectives, and promoting lasting learning among our students.

References

Fink, L. D. (2023). A self-directed guide to designing courses for significant learning. Creating Significant Learning Experiences: An Integrated Approach to Designing College Courses. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Hawker, B. (2023). What is Understanding by Design? Author Jay McTighe explains.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, H. (2020). https://www.hmhco.com/classroom-solutions/literacy.

Texas Kindergarten ELA Pacing Guide. (2023). https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ujCVMeg-HSPgmuHi7DDKfe9fdqiYvipl5BSDnCIXzkY/edit#gid=0.

The Universal Sandpit. (2024). theuniversalsandpit.org/universal-design

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