Effective Instructional Design Models

Instructional design is the key to creating quality, engaging, and learner-centred learning experiences. The instructional design process involves analysing learner needs, identifying goals, developing instructional materials, creating content, and assessing learning. Through the use of instructional design models, teachers, coaches, and instructional designers can plan and deliver content to meet the needs of all learners. In this article, we will explore instructional design methodologies, instructional design processes, and practical examples of why instructional design matters.

What are Instructional Design Models?

Instructional design models (ID models) are a framework for delivering educational programs. An instructional design model is a systematic instructional model for creating good learning by aligning goals with strategy and assessment to increase motivation and learning outcomes. These models help to structure the instructional design process by aligning learning objectives, instructional methods and desired outcomes. Using instructional design models teachers and instructional designers can categorise content, choose instructional strategies and evaluate instruction.

Importance of Instructional Design Models

Instructional design models are key to great learning. Here’s why:

• Systematic Thinking: They give you a step by step process to design good instruction. These models guide the development process, ensuring that each phase is interconnected and continuously improved based on feedback.
• Learner Centric Design: They put the learner first, so the instruction is relevant and interesting.
• Consistency: Following a model means consistency across different training programs or courses.
• Effectiveness: Since these models are research based they increase the chances of achieving the learning outcomes.
• Scalability: Instructional design models are versatile and can be applied in diverse settings, from classroom teaching to corporate training programs.

Benefits of Instructional Design Models

Instructional design models offer several benefits, including:

• Better Outcomes: Models ensure all parts of the learning process are aligned to the performance objectives.
• Increased Efficiency: Models give you insight into the design process so that you can devote more time to quality work.
• Employee Engagement: Models help you create learning that’s engaging and interactive so learners are more motivated to participate. By including different design strategies models make learning more fun.
• Feedback: Models give you a way to evaluate learning so you can see what needs to be fixed.
• Formative Evaluation: Models incorporate formative evaluation to identify areas for improvement throughout the design and development process.

Key Components of Instructional Design Model

An instructional design model has several parts:

• Analysis: Analyses learner needs and learning objectives. This step identifies the gap between current and desired outcomes and sets clear, measurable goals.
• Design: A design plan, including strategies and resources. This describes the learning process and plans the content, activities, and instructional strategy.
• Development: Developing the resources and activities. This is where you create the actual learning materials, presentations, videos, assessments and so on based on the design plan.
• Implementation: Provide training and support learners. At this stage, content, resources, and support are provided to learners.
• Overview: Analyze the learning process and what needs to be changed. Here it is necessary to evaluate learner performance and collect feedback to improve resources and strategies.

Selecting an Instructional Design Model

Choosing the right instructional design model depends on:

• The Needs of Learners: Different models are for different types of learners and learning environments. Know your target audience and their needs.
• The Goals of the Organization: Different models are for different organizational goals. Align the model with the organization’s strategic objectives so the learning supports the overall performance goals.
• The Type of Content: Different models are for different types of content and learning objectives. For example, some models are better for technical training and others for soft skills development.
• The Resources Available: Different models require different levels of resources. Know your budget, time resources and technology.
• Instructional Materials Design: Consider the design and selection of instructional materials to ensure they align with the learning objectives and audience needs.

7 Effective Instructional Design Models

Popular instructional models can be categorized into several types based on their widespread recognition and effectiveness:

• Linear Models: Follow a step-by-step process (e.g., ADDIE).
• Iterative Models: Emphasize continuous improvement (e.g., SAM).
• Theoretical Models: Grounded in learning theories (e.g., Merrill’s Principles).

1. ADDIE Model

ADDIE is one of the most popular models in instructional design. It has 5 phases:

• Analysis: Identify the learning needs, objectives and audience characteristics.
• Design: Create a blueprint for the instructional materials and strategies.
• Development: Build the actual learning material, such as presentations, videos, and assessments.
• Implementation: Deliver the instructional content to learners.
• Evaluation: Assess the instruction and make revisions.

Example: A workplace safety training program might start with analyzing employee needs, designing a curriculum with clear learning objectives, developing interactive safety simulations, implementing training sessions and evaluating employees’ understanding through assessments.

2. Dick and Carey Model

The Dick and Carey model takes a systems approach to instructional design. It includes steps such as identifying instructional goals, conducting instructional analysis, designing assessments and evaluating learning outcomes. This model is useful for complex training programs that require a detailed instructional systems design. The Dick and Carey model also considers the inter-connections of various instructional components within the learning and creating conditions for achieving the desired learning outcomes for learners. It’s 9 components to follow:

• Revise: Use feedback from the formative evaluation to refine and enhance the instruction for optimal learning outcomes.
• Identify Goals: What are the specific learning objectives the instruction is trying to achieve.
• Conduct Analysis: What skills and knowledge do learners need to meet those goals.
• Analyze Learners and Contexts: What are the characteristics of the learners (prior knowledge and skills) and the context (where the instruction will be delivered).
• Performance Objectives: Write precise and measurable performance objectives of what learners will be able to do after the training.
• Assessments: Create assessments to measure learner progress and how well they meet the objectives.
• Strategy: Develop an instructional strategy that outlines the methods and materials to deliver the instruction.
• Instructional Materials: Design or select instructional materials and media (textbooks, videos, interactive tools etc) to support learning.
• Formative Evaluation: Evaluate the instruction and identify areas for improvement.

3. Merrill’s Principles of Instruction (MPI)

Merrill’s Principles of Instruction suggest we design learning experiences that are engaging, practical and task focused. The model has 5 principles:

• Task centered: Instruction should be around real world tasks that learners will encounter in their work or daily lives.
• Activation: Learning should activate learners prior knowledge and experience, pique their curiosity and interest in the subject.
• Demonstration: New skills and concepts should be demonstrated through examples, models or expert demonstration.
• Application: Learners must apply their new learning in realistic contexts and get feedback to refine their skills.
• Integration: Instruction should encourage learners to incorporate new learning into their daily practice and use it to solve real world problems.

For instructional designers Merrill’s Principles provide a framework to design meaningful learning. By using authentic tasks, activating prior knowledge, demonstrating new concepts, applying with feedback and organizing for retention and transfer instructional designers can increase the chance of achieving the desired learning outcomes.

4. SAM Model (Successive Approximation Model)

SAM is a non-linear process for creating instructional content. It’s flexible and iterative so suits dynamic projects. The SAM model’s iterative development process ensures continuous improvement and adaptability.

SAM1 Model

The original SAM model is called SAM1 and has three stages:

• Preparation: In this first stage, the foundation information is gathered and project expectations are set. Key activities are understanding the audience, defining goals, setting timelines and budget.
• Iterative Development: A more finished prototype is created and tested in this stage. Revisions continue until the product is ready for full release.

SAM2 Model

SAM2 builds on SAM1 and is suitable for larger and more complex projects. It adds extra steps within the stages, such as thorough testing and detailed design reviews.

Benefits of the SAM Model:

The advantage of the SAM model is the iterative approach. It removes the pressure to get it right first time by including continuous feedback and testing. This is especially useful for complex projects or situations where user input is crucial. By iterating through design and development the final product is often more effective and engaging and meets the needs of the learner more precisely.

5. Gagné’s Nine Events of Instruction

Gagne’s 9 Events of Instruction is a behaviourist-based framework to maximize the teaching and learning process by following a sequential approach. It includes 9 steps:

• Gain Attention: Grab the learners’ attention and highlight the relevance and importance of the content to get them engaged from the start.
• Inform Learners of Objectives: Clearly state the specific learning objectives so learners know what they are working towards.
• Stimulate Recall of Prior Learning: Get the learners to recall their existing knowledge and experiences to build on.
• Present the Content: Deliver the new information in a logical and engaging way. Use fragmentation to make it more consumable.
• Provide Guidance: Support understanding with supplementary content like case studies, activities, discussions, or examples.
• Elicit Performance: Give learners the opportunity to practice and demonstrate their knowledge by applying it in real or practical scenarios.
• Provide Feedback: Give constructive feedback, combining positive reinforcement with correction to guide learners towards improvement.
• Assess Performance: Measure learners’ understanding and mastery of the objectives through various assessment tools and methods.
• Retain and Transfer: Help learners apply their knowledge to real life and transfer the learning.

By following these steps, instructors can create a structured and effective learning experience that promotes comprehension, application, and retention.

6. Bloom’s Taxonomy

Bloom’s Taxonomy, created by Benjamin Bloom in 1956, is a hierarchical framework for categorizing cognitive skills. It goes from lower to higher order thinking skills and is a good tool for an instructional designer to write measurable, specific learning objectives that match the cognitive skill level. It is also a guide for writing instructional objectives and assessments.

For Instructional Designers

Bloom’s Taxonomy is a good tool for designers to write measurable, specific learning objectives that match the cognitive skill level. By choosing action verbs for each level, designers make sure objectives and assessments get to the depth of learning.

Bloom’s Taxonomy Levels

• Knowledge: Recall factual information, definitions, concepts stored in long-term memory.
• Comprehension: Understand information through interpreting, summarizing, explaining.
• Application: Apply knowledge in real life situations, solve problems, adapt concepts to new situations.
• Analysis: Break down complex information into components, identify patterns, relationships, cause and effect, relevance to the goal.
• Evaluation: Judge information against established criteria.
• Synthesis: Combine ideas to create new structures or patterns, innovation and coherence.

By using these levels for learning objectives and activities, designers can promote cognitive development and get learners to meaningful and measurable results.

7. Agile Instructional Design

Agile Instructional Design is based on Agile project management principles, flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement, making it a versatile instructional strategy. Unlike traditional instructional design models that follow a linear process, Agile is iterative, so you can refine your learning materials in real time based on learner feedback and changing requirements.

Core Principles

• Flexibility and Adaptation: No fixed steps in the design process. Designers can change content and approach based on real time feedback so the learning experience remains relevant and effective.
• Collaboration: Agile is about cross functional team work between instructional designers, subject matter experts and stakeholders. Regular communication ensures everyone is aligned to the learning goals and all voices are heard.
• Iterative Development: Learning materials are developed and improved in cycles or “sprints” with each cycle incorporating feedback from the previous cycle. This is a continuous improvement process that makes the final product better.
• Learner Centric: Agile puts the needs and preferences of the learners first. Strategies and content are designed to fit different learning environments and individual learning styles.
• Feedback Loops: Feedback is collected at various stages from learners, instructors or stakeholders. This informs the revisions and ensures the learning objectives are met.
• Outcomes: Agile is outcome focused – improving learner performance and measurable results. Every design decision is aligned to the desired outcome.

Expanding the Scope of Instructional Design

Instructional design is evolving with technology and educational practice. Some of the emerging trends and considerations are:

• Technology Enhanced Learning: Technology has changed the learning experience. Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) are creating immersive and personalized learning environments. For example VR can simulate real life scenarios, learners can practice skills in a safe controlled environment.
• Microlearning: Microlearning is delivering content in small bites. This is for learners short attention spans and just in time learning. Examples of microlearning are short videos, infographics and quizzes.
• Gamification: Gamification is adding game elements to the learning process to increase engagement and motivation. Techniques such as point systems, badges and leaderboards encourage learners to participate and achieve their goals.
• Adaptive Learning: Adaptive learning uses data analytics to tailor the instruction to the individual learner. By analyzing the learner’s progress and preferences adaptive learning systems provide personalized content and support.
• Social Learning: Instructional design can also enable social learning through group work, discussion boards and peer assessment.
• Select Instructional Materials Design: Carefully choose and design instructional materials to ensure they meet the learning objectives and engage learners effectively.

Instructional Design Development for Diverse Audiences

When designing instruction and instructional materials design, we need to consider the diverse needs of the learners. Age, culture, prior knowledge all impact how learners engage with content. To address these differences we should:

1. Do an audience analysis.
2. Use inclusive language and images.
3. Offer multiple ways to access the content (text, audio, video).
4. Include examples and case studies relevant to the audience.

Knowing the learning environment is also key to designing instruction to meet the diverse needs of the learners.

Conclusion

Instructional design models are the secret to great learning. Using frameworks like ADDIE, SAM or Merrill’s Principles means our content meets the needs of the learner and the organization. These models provide a systematic approach to planning, development and evaluation, consistency and better learning outcomes.

As the field of instructional design evolves, adaptive learning, gamification and microlearning will become more relevant. By keeping up with technology and being inclusive and learner focused we can create experiences that drive personal and professional growth across all contexts. Whether in education, corporate training or beyond, great instructional design is the foundation of it all.