Grant Wiggins was an influential American educator and author known for his work on understanding by design, a framework for curriculum development that emphasizes the design of courses and instructional systems to achieve specific learning objectives. Along with Jay McTighe, he co-authored the book "Understanding by Design" which is considered a seminal work in the field of education. His focus was on backward design, a process that starts with identifying desired learning outcomes and then works backward to create lessons, assessments, and teaching strategies that help students achieve those goals. Wiggins also contributed to the education community through workshops, seminars, and numerous publications on topics such as assessment and school reform. His work has had a lasting impact on how educators approach teaching and curriculum planning.