Instructional Design Theory - Basic Overview
What Is Instructional Design?
Instructional Design is the process of gathering information then disperse this information in a specific order so that learners can learn.
What Is Instructional Design Theory?
Instructional Design Theory is the study of how people learn and the best applied methods to transfer knowledge to the learner.
What Is Instructional Pedagogy Theory?
Peda - Derives from teaching children. Pedagogy is the practice of teaching children.
What Is Instructional Andragogy Theory?
Andra - Derives from teaching adults. Andragogy is the practice of teaching adults.
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Instructional Design Theory - Technically Speaking:
Instructional Design Theory is the study of the human learning process and the most effective teaching method to deliver information to learners.
Generally, instructional design theory is divided into two fields of thought, behavioral and cognitive. Each learning theory has merit and it is up to the instructional specialists to determine which theory will best benefit the learning goal. Both methods also use a systematic instructional design process to develop and deliver the training.
Simply put, most instructional processes might include a phase to identify goals, create objectives based on those goals, develop the course which would include various instructional activities such as practice screens and assessments. Finally, regardless of the development model, there is an implementation or launch phase.
However simplified, building a training course can be a formidable task. It involves several complex disciplines that must all aggregate and formed into one cohesive training opportunity.
Because of this complexity, some form of development system structure or instructional system design (ISD) is mandatory. This is where the importance of the ADDIE Model or any ISD process offers valuable merit. Learn more about ADDIE Basics here... What Is Instructional Design.
In theory instructional design is the structure or road map that helps to maintain and keep the training process on track.
Complex Road Map? - It is not enough to select the best teaching delivery and learning theory approach, or to simply identify the training start and end goal.
An instructional design map will most likely be utilized by an instructional designer as part of the development phase of a training project. During development either one of the main learning theories or a combinations of theories will best be determined by such factors as the perceived academic level of the learning audience.
Focus is paramount, focus is equally important, for without focus the course development process can easily get lost during the most critical and early steps when trying to properly identify objectives. Any ISD model will help to maintain focus, without deviation in the pursuit of course development.
For a more detailed review of the ISD BLOG... ADDIE Instructional Model.
What Are The 3 Main Learning Theories?
These domains involve the psychology of learning...
Behaviorism, Cognitivism and Constructivism
Behaviorism: Founded on observable changes in behavior. Behaviorism focuses on a newer behavioral practice being repeated until eventually it becomes automatic or predictable, measurable.
The origins of the behaviorism theory dates back to Aristotle's period. More recent research that supports this theory involves Pavlov dog experiments.
But behaviorism raised serious questions as to why behavior was not predictable as in the case with Pavlov's dog conditioning.
Cognitivism: Because the behaviorism theory did not explain all learning observations, it gave rise to another learning theory, cognitivism.
Founded on the thought process that controls the behavior. Changes in behavior are observed, they are empirical in nature and utilized as evidence as to might be happening within, the thought processes if you will inside the mind of the learner.
Cognitivism theory works on the principle of memory or knowlege by association. It involves the morphing of existing knowledge into something new based on a previous known. Cognitivism is evolutionary in nature and includes the memory process and steps of storage and retrieval of knowledge.
Constructivism: Founded on the observation that we all construct (hence the term constructivism) that we create our own perspective of the world based on individual learning experiences. The Constructivism learning technique might involves activities or more real world scenarios that engage the learner in an attempt to help to promote the learner's problem solving skills.
The most basic concept of the constructivism theory can be defined as learners learn based on their individual interpretation of their external experiences. Thus, knowledge is constructed of experience (constructivism.)
Instructional Designers will determine the proper instructional design theories and models to be utilized in the creation of training. The constructivist instructional design approach can utilize the latest e-Learning tools to create real world scenarios for the learner.
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Benefits of e-Learning and Learning Theory
e-Learning provides the advantage to address all three main learning theories.
e-Learning can engage interactively, it can stimulate the senses with animation, sound and music (music can influence mood.)
Activities can be created to engage the trainee- from a constructionists, cognitive or behaviorists point of view.
e-Learning can be developed with a blended approach of various theories combined with practice screens or situation awareness modules that will help to obtain mastery of training goals.
Summary - Instructional Design Methodology
Instructional Design Theories provides the structure to the ADDIE or related systematic learning approach regardless if the applied need is pedagogic or androgogic, whether training is for instructor led or online web based training.
The two dominant fields of learning theory psychology are behavioral and cognitive. These learning theories are based on empirical observations over extended periods of time.
Each year there are new introductions and definitions of instructional design theory, however new, these new discoveries might first appear, they are generally deviates of the two original learning cognitive and behavioral theories.
e-Learning Instructional Design Basic Components
Instructional is a systematic approach to deliver learning
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Design is setting order to any given process
...D is for Design
e-Learning is the digitizing of traditional learning to electronic format
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Digitizedi is digitized instructional design and e-Learning for web based or computer based training.
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