Planning a PBL: Design Thinking Backwards Planning for Teachers

Design thinking backwards planning is a way for teachers to plan a unit or project with the end in mind. Design thinking is an iterative process focused on a solution-based approach to learning, where the teacher is focused on recognizing student needs, supporting students as they challenge assumptions, and helping students prototype, test, and revise new solutions. Using backwards planning, teachers first decide what the end goal or product is and then work backwards to create a plan to move the students towards that end goal or product. By working backwards, teachers are able to define where they want their students to be and develop new and creative ways to get the students there. This strategy can be used in any grade or content level and is also great for interdisciplinary planning.