What does backward design begin with?

• A. Daily activities
• B. Technology tools
• C. Desired outcomes and assessments
• D. Student preferences

Answer: (C)

Backward design begins with clarifying the intended outcomes and how mastery will be demonstrated. Start by deciding what students should know, understand, and be able to do by the end, and then specify the assessments that will prove they’ve achieved those outcomes. With those end goals and evidence in place, you plan the instructional activities to align with them. This makes sure every part of the lesson moves students toward the desired results. Daily activities focus on what you’ll do first without guaranteeing alignment to outcomes; technology tools are just resources you might use rather than the starting point; student preferences matter for engagement but don’t define the learning targets or the evidence used to judge success.