The Road to Success: Using the UbD Instructional Model to train university

professors to use i>clickers as a tool for instruction

By: Catherine Murphy

First, what is UbD?

UbD stands for “Understanding by Design,” an approach to instruction in which we work backwards to obtain our desired outcome....

BeginningEnd

STEP ONE: Set some goals for instruction...

What do we want to accomplish in our training?

1. University professors' attitudes about using the i>clickers will become more positive

2. University professors will understand the benefits of i>clickers

3. Professors will be comfortable using i>clickers for instruction

STEP TWO: Determine how we are going to get there...

-Choose assessment methods that will show us our goals have been reached

-Design our instruction so it will be apparent professors understand how to use i>clickers and are motivated to use them in their instruction

STEP THREE: Plan our trip...

Where do we want to go?- What knowledge do we hope professors will take away from our

instruction?

How will we get them there?- What are our methods of instruction?

What activities will do on our trip?- What tasks will the professors perform to gain knowledge and enjoy the

trip?

Are we there yet??

The professors seem happy!

They have positive attitudes about using i>clickers for instruction!

They are motivated to use them!

They know how to use them!

Our trip was a success!

We made it to our destination!