1.1 Module 1 Overview: Start Here!
The focus of Module 1 is Backwards Design
This module will provide an exploration of the principle of Backwards Design and also the critical concepts of “proficiency” and learning targets. As part of the exploration, we will also begin to look at the fundamentals of designing learning experiences for language learners. This module officially starts on June 18 and ends on June 20. We have opened the module one day early (June 17) for those who wish to begin work, but no one is required to work on June 17. During this module, you will also participate in the synchronous (live) Web Conference to be held on June 19 at 5:30 p.m. PT / 7:30 p.m. CT / 8:30 p.m. ET. Please mark your calendars for this date and time! You will receive an email announcement on the morning of the Web Conference with the URL for this live session, which will be held in the web conference platform, Adobe Connect.
Module 1 Learning Targets
- I can describe the “Backwards Design Model” to others and list the sequence for effectively planning a lesson of instruction
- I can explain what a “Can-do statement” is and how it relates to performance indicators and proficiency benchmarks.
- I can describe what we mean by “stage of proficiency”
Module 1 Activity Table
Please take some time to review the activity table below and to mark important due dates on your calendar so as not to miss anything! If you are fond of task lists, you may consider copying this table to a word processing document or printing this page so that you can check off each section as you complete it.
Please review the tasks and due dates for our orientation module now and schedule your work!
| Activity | Description | Due Date |
| 1.1 – Module Overview | Overview: This section includes instruction and practice with the principle of backwards design as it applies to language learning. Review the module activities below to familiarize yourself with the work in which you will be engaged in this module. | Before section 1.2 |
| 1.2 – Background Knowledge Activator | Activating activity: ACTFL Core practices | June 19 |
| 1.3 – Module 1, Lesson 1 | Lesson part 1 and the Check for understanding of that lesson | Before webinar at 5:30 p.m.. PT / 7:30 p.m. CT / 8:30 p.m. ET on June 19 |
| 1.4 – Module 1, Lesson 2 | Lesson part 2 plus guided and independent practice of that lesson | Before section 1.6, but ideally also before the Webinar on June 19. |
| 1.5 – Live Web Conference | Live Web Conference with Guest Instructor Jennifer Eddy, an expert in the use of Backwards Design and Learning Targets for world language programs. | June 19 at 5:30 p.m. Pacific / 7:30 p.m. Central / 8:30 p.m. Eastern |
| 1.6- Evaluation | Module evaluation | Before section 1.8 |
| 1.7 – Reflection | Think aloud reflection | Before the start of Module 2 on June 21. |