What Are Curriculum Frameworks
As educators, we all want to provide our students with the best possible education. One of the ways we can do this is by using curriculum frameworks to guide our instruction. Curriculum frameworks are a set of guiding principles and standards that provide a structure for designing and delivering instruction. Knowing the leading frameworks can help educators assess student understanding and differentiate instruction for those who are struggling. It can also help teachers create or edit current assessments within the classroom.
STEM Ed Today has compiled six prominent frameworks to assist you in navigating the vast array of curriculum options available.
1. Understanding by Design (UbD)
This framework was created by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe. It is most commonly used in social studies, science, and language arts classrooms. UbD emphasizes starting with the end in mind and designing instruction and assessments that measure student understanding of key concepts and skills.
For more information check out this article: https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/understanding-by-design/
2. Backward Design
This framework is closely related to UbD and is based on the idea that educators should start with the identification of learning goals and work backward to design instruction and assessments that measure student mastery of those goals. Backward Design can be used in any subject area and grade level.
For more information check out this article: https://li.wsu.edu/2019/09/06/backward-design-a-planning-framework/
3. Bloom's Taxonomy
This framework was created by Benjamin Bloom and provides a hierarchy of cognitive skills that can be used to design instruction and assessments that measure different levels of understanding. Bloom's Taxonomy is widely used in all subject areas and grade levels.
For more information check out this article: https://fctl.ucf.edu/teaching-resources/course-design/blooms-taxonomy/
4. Webb's Depth of Knowledge (DOK)
This framework was developed by Norman Webb and is used to measure the cognitive complexity of learning objectives. DOK can be used to design assessments that measure students' depth of understanding and ability to apply their knowledge in different contexts. DOK is most commonly used in mathematics and science classrooms.
For more information check out this article: https://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/English-Language-Art/Resources-for-English-Language-Arts/Instructional-Strategies-for-English-Language-Arts/WYC_DOK_Webbs_Flip_Chart.pdf.aspx
5. Assessment for Learning (AFL)
This framework emphasizes the importance of using formative assessments to provide ongoing feedback to students and to adjust instruction to better meet their needs. AFL is most commonly used in all subject areas and grade levels.
For more information check out this article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8515033/
6. Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
This framework is a set of science standards that emphasizes the integration of science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas. NGSS can be used to design assessments that measure students' understanding of science in a more holistic way. NGSS is most commonly used in science classrooms.
For more information check out this article: https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13165/a-framework-for-k-12-science-education-practices-crosscutting-concepts
How To Learn More
To learn more about these frameworks, educators can attend professional development workshops or read books and articles about each framework. Additionally, many educational organizations offer resources and support for implementing these frameworks in the classroom. By using these leading curriculum frameworks, educators can design instruction and assessments that are aligned with their learning goals, measure the skills and knowledge that are most important, and provide useful feedback to students and teachers alike.
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