Introduction to Instructional Design Theories
I wonder how many of us actually know the meaning of “Instructional Design Theory”. Many a times we mistake the term Instructional Design Theory for Learning Theory. There is difference between the two — let’s see what that difference is.
An Instructional Design Theory provides guidance on how to help people learn and develop and is prescriptive. A Learning Theory describes how learning happens and is descriptive. For instance, the Learn One theory by Perkins suggests that to enhance learning for any performance we want to teach, the instruction should provide clear information, thoughtful practice, informative feedback, and strong intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. This theory guides you about the ways in which you can enhance learning and therefore it is an Instructional Design theory. On the other hand, the Information Processing theory describes how new information enters the short-term memory before entering the long -term memory. Therefore, it is a Learning theory.
Let’s look at some common characteristics of instructional design theories.
· Instructional design theories are design oriented, which means they focus on the different ways of achieving goals of learning and development. For instance, learning goal can be to “teach XYZ process”. So, an Instructional Design Theory would provide guidance on how this process can be taught.
· These theories identify methods of instruction and different ways in which designers can and cannot use these methods. One of the methods of teaching the XYZ process could be to provide clear information about the process.
· The methods suggested in instructional design theories can be further broken down into more detailed components. For instance, you can break the method of providing clear information into flow charts and scenarios.
· Instructional design theories follow probabilistic approach. This means that an instructional design theory increases the chances of attaining learning goals. These theories do not ensure that the learning goals will be attained. For instance, if you provide clear information using flow charts and scenarios for teaching XYZ process, you increase the probability that learner will understand the process.
I hope this clarifies our understanding of what Instructional Design Theories are!
Nice and Informative. The post did help me in clearing some of the things I was drilling.
I find your post descriptive and I think the approach is prescriptive.
Great read.
Regards
Thank you Swati for the nice read. It was informative.
I just wanted to add my thoughts to it.
Why’s and How’s of LEARNING
Sometimes I wonder why my teacher used to ask me to draw a house on a sheet of paper and what made me decide on its size? And do you realize why some people at the age of 70 remember the person they loved at 17? But, there are times when you don’t even remember your uncle’s name whom you met 10 years ago? Do you also remember how you used to learn rhymes by repetitive recitation AND you still remember some of those! So, is ‘Twinkle Twinkle little star’, memories of your childhood friend, and the house flashing across your mind?
Well, the answers to these lie in two simple words – Learning and Experience. Experts proposed three main approaches to learning that explains the phenomenon of Learning. So, let us look at these interesting theories to get answers to some of our intriguing queries.
1. Behaviorism
According to this theory, learning is all about change in behavior. It states:
1.1 We learn by repetition – For example, repetitive recitation of rhymes.
1.2 We learn faster when awarded or appreciated – This is known as Positive Reinforcement.
1.3 We avoid repeating the act for which we are punished – This is known as Negative Reinforcement.
2. Cognitivism
According to this theory, all our learning initially takes place in our mind. For example, when we learn driving, we first concentrate only on the road and get distracted by music or talking. However, as we get used to driving or when we become experts, driving for us becomes a psychomotor skill rather than cognitive skill.
Another important and interesting theory is The Schema Theory by Jean Piaget. According to this theory, human mind is a web of related information and its a dynamic changing mass of knowledge. In other words, related concepts are connected to each other. For example, when we learn or read about something new, say ‘animal’, we classify it or store it in one section of our brain. Similarly, when we learn about ‘Tiger’, we try and relate this with the existing information ‘animal’. Now, when we read about carnivorous and herbivorous animals, we connect this with the ‘Tiger’ and ’animal’ information that is stored in our brain. So, you can see how the schema grows in our minds continuously.
However, if a schema is not updated with any new information or if we forget about it, the schema in our brain gets lost. This is the reason why we forget our uncle’s name.
But, if we keep updating the schema, it keeps growing and does not get lost – as in the animal example.
Also, sometimes we leave a schema for a long time. In this case, the schema may not get lost as we are holding on to it. This is the reason why we remember the name of the person we loved so many years ago.
3. Constructivism
This is also an extension of the Cognitivism theory. According to the constructivism theory, We construct our own perception of life based on our experiences or our environment. We also create our own different world, give a different meaning to life or incidents, or fill our own colors. As a result, we think, learn, act, and behave differently. This is the reason why we draw houses with different sizes and colors.
I hope I made you think and instill some curiosity that would push you to explore the working of human mind. So, lets get started!