Congress to showcase latest trends in curriculum design and teaching

IN EARLY September, top Filipino educators will meet for the annual Educators’ Congress.

Organized by publishing company Rex Book Store Inc. (RBSI), the congress will allow participants to learn and discuss current trends in curriculum design and teaching.

Teachers will be able to keep abreast of latest developments to enhance their skills and improve their techniques.

The two-day conference-cum-workshop on “Understanding by Design + Differentiated Instruction” (UbD+DI) will be conducted by foreign experts Jay McTighe, Carol Ann Tomlinson, Dr. Nanci Smith and Janie Ray Smith.

Key topics are Understanding by Design (UbD) and Differentiated Instruction.

Don Timothy Buhain, chief operating officer of RBSI, said the congress would not only focus on very relevant topics but would also feature leading experts in those fields.

He said educators needed to develop the ability of young learners to acquire, process and understand information. They must also address varied learning rates.

UbD focuses on what is taught and learning indicators. It aims to guide curriculum design and stresses how to facilitate student understanding.

DI focuses on who are taught, as well as where and how they are taught. It aims to ensure that teachers focus on processes and procedures for effective learning.

UbD is largely a curriculum design framework while DI is predominantly an instructional design model.

Resource person McTighe is a renowned curriculum developer who, with Dr. Grant Wiggins, created and introduced UbD. Tomlinson, a University of Virginia professor and author of over 250 books and educational materials, will facilitate sessions via live video patch.

Nanci Smith and Janie Ray Smith will share their extensive experience and knowledge on DI.

Rex Book Store organizes the annual congress to help educators achieve their goal of helping students learn better.