What+are+BIG+IDEAS?

WHAT ARE BIG IDEAS?

Understanding by Design 2004 Grant Wiggins

Some questions for identifying truly “big ideas” 1. Does it have many layers and nuances, not obvious to the naïve or inexperienced person? 6. Does it reflect the core ideas in a field or in life, as judged by experts? © 2004 Grant Wiggins & Jay McTighe **// 18 //** UBD 01 ** /2004 **
 * 2. Can it yield great depth and breadth of insight into the subject? Can it be used throughout K-12 and beyond? **
 * 3. Do you have to dig deep to really understand its subtle meanings and implications even if anyone can have a surface grasp of it? **
 * 4. Is it (therefore) prone to misunderstanding as well as disagreement? **
 * 5. Are you likely to change your mind about its meaning and importance over a lifetime? **

**“Big Ideas” defined:** Is it a Big Idea? Does it –  ** have lasting value, with transfer to other inquiries? **  ** serve as a key concept for making important facts, skills, and actions more connected, coherent, meaningful, useful? **  ** epitomize “core” (not “basic”) insights in a subject or discipline? **  ** require “uncoverage” (since it is an abstract or often-misunderstood idea)? ** © 2004 Grant Wiggins & Jay McTighe **// 32 //** UBD 01 ** /2004 **


 * Other Thoughts on Big Ideas...**
 * Cannot find the answer in a book
 * Cannot answer "yes" or "no"
 * Doesn't change with time