In backward design, what is the first step?

In backward design, what is the first step?

• A. Identify desired outcomes or competencies
• B. Develop assessments
• C. Plan instructional activities
• D. Evaluate and revise

Answer: (A)

Backward design starts by identifying the desired outcomes or competencies. This means deciding exactly what students should know, understand, and be able to do by the end of the unit. Having clear outcomes provides a concrete target that guides every other decision, ensuring that assessments and instruction are aligned with what real success looks like. Once these outcomes are set, you design assessments that will provide evidence of whether students have achieved them, then plan the instructional activities that will help students reach those goals. Evaluation and revision come after you’ve implemented instruction and collected evidence, using that information to adjust both the outcomes and the teaching where needed. So, the reason identifying outcomes is the best first step is that it creates the foundation for alignment across assessment and instruction, ensuring every later step serves those specific goals.

Backward design starts by identifying the desired outcomes or competencies. This means deciding exactly what students should know, understand, and be able to do by the end of the unit. Having clear outcomes provides a concrete target that guides every other decision, ensuring that assessments and instruction are aligned with what real success looks like.

Once these outcomes are set, you design assessments that will provide evidence of whether students have achieved them, then plan the instructional activities that will help students reach those goals. Evaluation and revision come after you’ve implemented instruction and collected evidence, using that information to adjust both the outcomes and the teaching where needed.

So, the reason identifying outcomes is the best first step is that it creates the foundation for alignment across assessment and instruction, ensuring every later step serves those specific goals.