10 Cool methods to learn about Instructional Design

Sparklers Consultancy

LinkedIn for Learning

Hey there, fellow learners! Are you ready to spice up your learning journey and make it super fun? Well, let me share with you 10 widely used instructional design methods that will jazz up your learning experience. Let's dive right in!

1. ADDIE model

2. Bloom's Taxonomy

3. Gagne's nine events of instruction

4. SAM (Successive Approximation Model)

5. Constructivist approach

6. Problem-based learning (PBL)

7. Scenario-based learning

8. Microlearning

9. Gamification

10. Social learning

1. ADDIE Model: The Ultimate recipe for success

Ever heard of ADDIE? It's like the secret sauce for cooking up a great learning experience. Let me break it down for you:

·         Analysis: This is where you figure out what you need to learn and who your audience is. It's like doing research before you start cooking to make sure you've got all the right ingredients.

·         Design: Once you know what you're cooking, it's time to plan out the recipe. You decide how you're going to teach the material and what resources you'll need. It's like writing out the steps of a recipe before you start cooking.

·         Development: Now it's time to roll up your sleeves and start cooking! You create the learning materials, whether it's videos, worksheets, or interactive activities. It's like actually cooking the meal according to your recipe.

·         Implementation: This is when you serve up your delicious creation to your audience. You deliver the learning materials and make sure everyone understands what they're supposed to do. It's like setting the table and serving the meal to your guests.

·         Evaluation: Finally, you taste-test your dish to see if it turned out how you wanted. You collect feedback from your audience to see if they learned what they were supposed to. It's like asking your guests if they enjoyed the meal and what you could do better next time.

2. Bloom's Taxonomy: From basic to brilliant

Bloom's Taxonomy is like a ladder of learning. It starts with basic stuff like remembering and understanding, then takes you all the way up to fancy skills like analyzing, evaluating, and creating. Let's break it down:

·         Remembering: This is like memorizing facts or information, like your multiplication tables or the capital cities of countries.

·         Understanding: Now you're not just memorizing, you're actually grasping what the information means. It's like understanding why 2 x 2 equals 4 instead of just reciting it.

·         Applying: Time to put your knowledge to work! You take what you've learned and use it in a new situation, like solving a math problem or writing a story using new vocabulary.

·         Analyzing: Now you're really getting into it. You break down information into parts and see how they're connected, like dissecting a frog in science class or cutting paper for a aero plane model.

·         Evaluating: You're not just understanding the information, you're making judgments about it. You decide if something is good or bad, right or wrong, based on what you've learned.

·         Creating: This is the big one! You take all your knowledge and skills and make something totally new, like writing a song or building a robot.

3. Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction: Let's get the party on

Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction is like planning a killer party. Imagine you're throwing the ultimate bash, and you want everyone to have a blast. Here's how it works:

·         Gain attention: You've gotta grab people's attention right from the start. It's like playing awesome music or having a cool theme that gets everyone excited to join the party.

·         Inform learners of the objective: Next, you let everyone know what the party's all about. You tell them what they're going to learn and why it's important, like announcing the activities and games you have planned.

·         Stimulate recall of prior learning: Just like reminiscing about past parties, you help people remember what they already know. You connect new knowledge to stuff they already understand, making it easier to learn.

·         Present the material: Now it's time to get down to business and teach the new stuff. You explain the concepts, demonstrate skills, and provide examples to help everyone understand.

·         Provide guidance: You don't just leave people to figure things out on their own. You give them guidance and support along the way, like showing them how to play a game or giving tips on how to solve a problem.

·         Elicit performance: This is where the real fun begins! You get everyone involved and encourage them to participate actively. It's like getting everyone on the dance floor and showing off their moves.

·         Provide feedback: Just like cheering on your friends when they do something awesome, you give feedback to let people know how they're doing. You praise their successes and offer help when they need it.

·         Assess performance: You want to make sure everyone's having a good time and learning lots, so you check in to see how they're doing. It's like taking a quick break to see if everyone's enjoying the party.

·         Enhance retention and transfer: Finally, you make sure everyone remembers the good times and can use what they've learned later on. It's like giving out party favors so people can take a piece of the fun home with them.

4. SAM (Successive Approximation Model): building blocks of awesomeness

SAM is like building a LEGO set. You start with a plan, then you build a little bit, test it out, and make adjustments along the way. It's like building something awesome, one step at a time! Here's how it breaks down:

Preparation: You start by figuring out what you want to build and gathering all the pieces you need. It's like reading the instructions and making sure you have all the right LEGO bricks.

Iterative Design: Now you start putting the pieces together, but you don't build the whole thing at once. Instead, you build a small section, test it out, and see if it works. It's like building one part of the LEGO set and making sure it fits before moving on.

Iterative development: Once you've tested out your first section and made any necessary changes, you move on to the next part. You keep building, testing, and adjusting until you've completed the whole thing. It's like building the entire LEGO set, one step at a time, until it's finished and ready to play with.

5. Constructivist Approach: Learning by doing

This one's all about getting your hands dirty and diving into the action. Imagine you're learning how to ride a bike. You don't just read about it or watch a video—you actually get on the bike and start pedaling! That's the constructivist approach in action. Here's how it works:

·         Active engagement: Instead of passively receiving information, learners actively engage with the material. They explore, experiment, and discover new concepts through hands-on activities and real-world experiences.

·         Social Interaction: Collaboration and interaction with others play a key role in constructivist learning. Learners discuss ideas, share perspectives, and collaborate on projects, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

·         Reflection: Learners reflect on their experiences and make connections between new information and prior knowledge. Reflection encourages critical thinking and metacognition, helping learners develop a deeper understanding of the material.

6. Problem-Based Learning (PBL): Let's solve some mysteries

PBL is like being a detective on a mission. Imagine you're handed a mysterious case to solve, and you've gotta use your smarts to crack the case. Here's how it works:

Real-world problems: Learners are presented with authentic, complex problems that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills to solve. These problems are often open-ended and require investigation and analysis.

Collaborative learning: PBL encourages collaboration and teamwork as learners work together to brainstorm solutions, conduct research, and develop strategies to address the problem.

Self-directed learning: Learners take ownership of their learning process and are responsible for identifying learning goals, conducting research, and seeking out resources to support their inquiry.

7. Scenario-Based Learning: Welcome to the real world

 Scenario-based learning is like stepping into the shoes of a character and navigating through real-life situations. Imagine you're the protagonist in a movie, and you've gotta make tough decisions that could change the course of the story. Here's how it works: 

Realistic scenarios: Learners are presented with realistic situations or case studies that simulate authentic experiences they may encounter in the real world. These scenarios engage learners by providing context and relevance to the learning material.

Decision-making: Learners are required to make decisions and take actions within the scenario, experiencing the consequences of their choices. This active engagement promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Feedback and reflection: Learners receive feedback based on their decisions and reflect on the outcomes, allowing them to learn from their mistakes and improve their decision-making skills.

8. Microlearning: Bite-sized brilliance

Microlearning is like enjoying a box of assorted chocolates—you get small, bite-sized pieces of learning that are easy to digest and oh-so-satisfying. Here's how it works:

Short n’ Sweet: Instead of long, drawn-out lessons, microlearning delivers content in small, focused chunks. Each microlearning module typically covers a single learning objective, making it easy for learners to grasp the material quickly.

On-demand access: Microlearning modules are often available on-demand, allowing learners to access them whenever and wherever they need. Whether it's a quick video tutorial or a brief interactive quiz, learners can engage with microlearning content at their convenience.

Enhanced retention: Research suggests that spaced repetition and frequent reinforcement—common features of microlearning—can lead to better retention of information over time. By revisiting key concepts in bite-sized intervals, learners can reinforce their learning and solidify their understanding.

9. Gamification: level up your learning

Gamification is like turning learning into a game—you add elements of fun, competition, and reward to motivate and engage learners. Here's how it works:

Game-like features: Gamified learning experiences often incorporate elements such as points, badges, levels, and leaderboards to create a game-like environment. Learners earn points for completing activities, unlock badges for mastering skills, and compete with peers for the top spot on the leaderboard.

Intrinsic motivation: By tapping into learners' innate desire for achievement and progression, gamification can increase motivation and engagement. The sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes from leveling up or earning rewards can inspire learners to continue their learning journey.

Instant feedback: Games provide immediate feedback on performance, allowing learners to see the consequences of their actions in real-time. Whether it's a congratulatory message for completing a task or a hint to help overcome a challenge, feedback keeps learners engaged and informed.

10. Social Learning: Learning together, growing together

Social learning is like a communal potluck—you bring your own dish to share, but you also get to sample a variety of tasty treats brought by others. Here's how it works:

Collaborative learning: Social learning emphasizes collaboration and knowledge sharing among peers. Learners engage in discussions, share insights, and learn from each other's experiences, fostering a sense of community and collective learning.

Peer feedback and support: In a social learning environment, learners can provide feedback, support, and encouragement to their peers. Whether it's offering constructive criticism on a project or providing words of encouragement during a challenging task, peer interactions enrich the learning experience.

Community Building: Social learning platforms and communities provide opportunities for learners to connect with like-minded individuals, form study groups, and participate in discussions related to their interests and goals. By fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie, social learning enhances engagement and motivation.

With these 10 awesome instructional design methods, your learning journey is about to get a whole lot more exciting! Whether you're cooking up a storm with ADDIE, leveling up your skills with gamification, or solving mysteries with problem-based learning, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So, what are you waiting for? Let the learning adventure begin! Cheers !