In the opening of the new academic year on June, Ateneans will have a taste of a new way of seeing “understanding” in the classroom.  

What’s in store is Understanding by Design, popularly known as UBD. Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe from the United States are the proponents of the design.  The design, which was implemented in 2005, highlights “teaching for learning” which is manifested by designing lessons starting with outcomes first.   

In the design, emphasis is placed on performance task which is the manifestation of “understanding” whatever is taken up in the classroom. Thus, the design eclipses parroting and content mastery in paper-and-pen tests but puts more weight on real-life application of lessons.

In the current summer in-service workshop, teachers are preparing to adopt the design by grouping whole-year subject matters into units and writing unit plans for them.

Although the design will only be implemented in the first year level in all public schools, the newly adopted tool for planning lessons shall be in full use in all year levels in Ateneo de Naga High School.

The design shall have an impact on the grading system as more weight is placed on completion of “performance tasks” or “projects”.