Encouraged Creativity

A huge benefit for using backwards design is the fact that it allows the use of project learning. When teachers know exactly what they wish their student to learn, they can create assessments that fit the content, rather than make content fit the assessments. This allows teachers to create assessments which have both summative and formative value. By creating projects as key components of assessments, teachers help students to target their learning and also provide motivation as students work to create something tangible.

Project-based learning allows teachers to encourage student creativity. In designing an assessment rubric, teachers can include student efforts toward creativity in the grade. When creative development is a goal, it is important not to be too critical of the students' creativity. However, many students do need the extrinsic motivation provided by grading to ensure their highest quality of work.

Below are some pieces of work from a 9th grade conceptual physics class. Students were asked to make a living environment electrically wired with both series and parallel circuits. Physics content was given priority, but creativity was encouraged and factored into grading.