This title presents perspectives on the relationship between curriculum research and instructional design, as well as new developments in the use of information and communication technology.

Curriculum, Plans, and Processes in Instructional Design: International Perspectives presents perspectives on the relationship between curriculum research and instructional design, as well as new developments in the use of information and communication technology. In their introductory chapter, the editors provide an overview of the volume and introduce the discussions found in three sections: *The chapters in Part I (Theoretical Foundations and Innovations) describe and discuss new theoretical and innovative approaches to instructional design that integrate curriculum development with information and communication technologies. *Part II (Curriculum Development, Instructional Design, and Information Technology) focuses on curriculum development and its impact on models of instructional design. *Part III (Information and Communication Technology and Instructional Design) addresses the challenge of advancing information and communication technologies for instructional planning and curriculum development. Prominent researchers and practitioners from instructional design, as well as the learning sciences--from both the U.S. and around the world--have contributed to this volume. This volume is a valuable resource for graduate students, scholars, and researchers in the fields of instructional design and educational technology, as well as for those who wish to develop expertise in training in industrial, military, public and academic organizations.

This book deals with large-scale or macro-level instructional design, which is referred to by other authors variously as curriculum development, course design, training system design or instructional systems design. The emphasis throughout the book is on the application of a systems approach, which implies both a way of thinking about the problem and a methodology for seeking and developing solutions. Thus the approach of the book is problem-oriented. The successful problem-solver requires more than a technique or procedure. He requires experience of similar problems, some general principles that he can apply to the class of problems and a great deal of creativity to develop an optimal method of solving each problem. This book brings together the theories and practical experience that have been built up by instructional technologists over the last two decades, the techniques that are currently most used for the analysis of problems in education and for their solution, and a range of new ideas specially developed by the author to encourage the creative element (so often missing from educational materials). This book is intended for anyone involved in instructional design. It is designed on a ‘grid’ structure to facilitate the reader’s choice of chapters. Those who wish to gain a general overview may concentrate on the chapters at the theory base and analysis levels. Those more practically concerned with course design will find much of use in the synthesis and evaluation levels. Those who wish simply to discover ‘what’s new’ in this book and its treatment of instructional design will find what they are seeking principally in the analysis and evaluation levels.

What is understanding and how does it differ from knowledge? How can we determine the big ideas worth understanding? Why is understanding an important teaching goal, and how do we know when students have attained it? How can we create a rigorous and engaging curriculum that focuses on understanding and leads to improved student performance in today's high-stakes, standards-based environment? Authors Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe answer these and many other questions in this second edition of Understanding by Design. Drawing on feedback from thousands of educators around the world who have used the UbD framework since its introduction in 1998, the authors have greatly revised and expanded their original work to guide educators across the K-16 spectrum in the design of curriculum, assessment, and instruction. With an improved UbD Template at its core, the book explains the rationale of backward design and explores in greater depth the meaning of such key ideas as essential questions and transfer tasks. Readers will learn why the familiar coverage- and activity-based approaches to curriculum design fall short, and how a focus on the six facets of understanding can enrich student learning. With an expanded array of practical strategies, tools, and examples from all subject areas, the book demonstrates how the research-based principles of Understanding by Design apply to district frameworks as well as to individual units of curriculum. Combining provocative ideas, thoughtful analysis, and tested approaches, this new edition of Understanding by Design offers teacher-designers a clear path to the creation of curriculum that ensures better learning and a more stimulating experience for students and teachers alike.

This updated third edition of Curriculum Planning and Instructional Design for Gifted Learners: