What is Backward Course Design?

Backward course design, also known as backward design, is an approach to creating educational curriculum that begins with identifying the desired outcomes and then working backwards to create learning activities and assessments that align with those outcomes. This approach, first introduced by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe in their book "Understanding by Design", is considered to be more effective than traditional course design, which often starts with the selection of content and then tries to fit assessments and activities around it.