Understanding by Design in Higher Education
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- ISBN 9798765151846
- Dimensions: 178 x 254mm
- Publication Date: 03 Sep 2026
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Paperback
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Understanding by Design® (UbD) is an internationally renowned curriculum development framework that has been used by educators across the world for more than three decades. The key ideas of the UbD framework are contained in its title: 1) prioritize the development of in-depth understandings to facilitate transfer for real-world applications; and 2) apply a three-stage design process for creating curricula toward those ends.
Though most widely used in K-12 schools, UbD can be applied to guide postsecondary faculty in designing courses to deepen students’ understanding and promote transfer in professional settings. Given the reality that most higher education faculty have little to no preparation in designing curriculum, the practical three-stage backward design framework can support them in applying their disciplinary expertise to develop coursework for deeper learning and transfer.
The goal of this book is to support faculty in thoughtfully designing coursework that prioritizes students’ understanding, incorporates authentic and engaging assessments, and encourages active learning for understanding and transfer beyond the college classroom. Rather than recycling old syllabi or simply covering the chapters of a textbook, faculty will learn to harness their rich academic and professional expertise to design meaningful, authentic, and engaging curriculum.
Jay McTighe is a veteran educator and author of 18 books with translations into 14 languages, including the award-winning and best-selling Understanding by Design® series with Grant Wiggins. Jay has also written more than 60 articles and book chapters and has spoken at state, national, and international conferences in 48 states within the United States, in seven Canadian provinces, and internationally in 39 countries on six continents.
Amy Heineke is a professor in the School of Education at Loyola University Chicago, where she prepares educators to design curriculum and instruction that nurtures students’ disciplinary learning and language development. Dr. Heineke has written nine books and 70 peer-reviewed articles and chapters, drawing from her research on educator preparation, curriculum design, and instructional supports for multilingual learners.
