IBSE Final

Facets of Understanding

“When we truly understand, we (i) can explain, (ii) can interpret, (iii) can apply, (iv)

have perspective, (v) can empathize, (vi) have self-knowledge.” (Wiggins & McTighe,

2013).

In the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework, Wiggins and McTighe (2005) have
identified Six Facets of Understanding for evaluating and assessing student understanding.
Evidence of understanding is obtained through performance tasks. The performance tasks ask
students to explain the meaning they have made, and to apply – to transfer – their learning to
new and authentic situations as means of assessing their understanding and ability to transfer
their learning.

The Six Facets of Understanding can be used not only to design assessments, but also useful
for generating provocative questions to lead to that understanding.

Facet of Understanding merupakan Question Starters, Verbs and Essential Questions (EQs).

Jadual 3: The Six Facets of Understanding

Question Starters Prompting Verbs Sample EQs

Facet: Explanation

How did Tsunami come about?

What caused Tsunami?

What are the effects of Tsunami?

How does Tsunami connected to

earthquake?

Connect, demonstrate,

derive, describe, express,

justify, prove, show, model,

exhibit

What are the causes

and effects of

Tsunami?

Facet: Interpretation

What is the implication of

Tsunami?

How does Tsunami relate to us?

Why does it matter?

Create analogies, critique,

illustrate, to provide

metaphor, to make sense

Why does Tsunami

happen?

Facet: Application

What would happen after

Tsunami?

How might technologies help us to

detect Tsunami before it comes?

Adapt, construct, create,

design, produce, solve, test,

use

How to prevent

another Tsunami?

Facet: Perspective

How does religion view Tsunami?

How does Tsunami look from a

naturalist’s perpective?

How does Tsunami

similar/different with earthquake?

Analyze, compare, argue,

contrast, critique, evaluate

How does geologists

explain Tsunami?

Facet: Empathy

What would it be if I am one of the

victim of Tsunami?

Consider, imagine, relate,

stimulate, role play

How can we assist

Tsunami’s victims?