Thank goodness learning never stops.

Why bother with questions if answers are already given? Let’s start with the definition of “question”. According to Encarta Dictionary, the definition for question is "written or spoken inquiry, a request for information or for a reply". The key word here is inquiry. If the purpose is to seek information, solution, or response and they are already provided, there is no need to ask. If all have been given, inquiry is not taking place. Why bother to know how to do anything if everything is done for you? So, my response to the question, “If the textbook contains the answers, then what are the questions?" (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005, pg. 125) is there will not be any questions. How very sad for all human beings where curiosity is what drives the quest for knowledge.

Like Bob James, the teacher highlighted in Understanding by Design, my education experience was very similar to his in that the content of courses I have had was not “explicitly framed around important, thought-provoking questions” (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005, pg. 125). Especially during elementary to middle school years where instructions revolved mostly around answering questions at the end of chapter units. Since I was always good at memorization, my grades were good. Now, in retrospect after having a better understanding to Backward Design planning, I have to ask myself, was there even a hint of profundity in my education? Yes, I have acquired knowledge, but could there have been more if I was provided the opportunity to go beyond the surface layers of the contents?

I arrived at my “aha” moment after further reading about Backward Design planning. For areas that I have inordinate interest and curiosity in, I have always delved deeper into those topics on my own and made it a point to develop some expertise in them, but even that is not enough without the benefits of essential questions to provoke profound reflection. What I really have in those areas of personal interest is an abundance of knowledge with superficial understanding. Good news is that I am in control of my own learning and I can affect a change to my own learning process. What a wonderful challenge! It may take time, but like everything in life, a journey requires one to take the first step. So I am taking that first step for myself and will share the process with my future students to help them achieve not just knowledge and skills but also understanding in the subject areas they will be learning.