Backward design in instructional planning begins with the end in mind. That means that the teachers must set the instructional goals first, determine how they will be measured, and then create the activities that will lead to students successfully attaining the content.

Backward design requires an understanding of your students. The beginning of a school year or new semester is a great opportunity for teachers to gather information from their students to better serve them in the classroom. Surveys provide the teacher with information such as students’ self-efficacy of content, level of enjoyment of a content area, prior knowledge, student investment/attitude towards content and school, and students’ interests. Particularly in the STEM content areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, this information helps teachers develop lessons that increase student engagement and confidence with content.