Instructional Systems Design

Introductory Page | Constructivisit Instructional Design | Systematic Instructional Design

Introduction to Gagne's Theory (1 of 6)

According to Gagné and Brigg's viewpoint, instructional systems design is the systematic process of planning instructional systems, while instructional development is the process of implementing the plans.

Gagné built on the work of behavioral and information-processing theorists by translating principles from their learning theories into practical instructional strategies that teachers could employ with directed instruction.

He is best known for three of his contributions in this area: the types of learning, the events of instruction, and learning hiearchies.

Basic Principles:

Different instruction is required for different learning outcomes.

Events of learning operate on the learner in ways that constitute the conditions of learning.

The specific operations that constitute instructional events are different for each different type of learning outcome.

Learning hierarchies define what intellectual skills are to be learned and a sequence of instruction.

Gagné's theory has been applied to the design of instruction in all domains (Gagné & Driscoll, 1988). In its original formulation (Gagné, 1962), special attention was given to military training settings. Gagné (1987) also addresses the role of instructional technology in learning.