Instructional Design Models And Theories

Summary: What follows is not just a simple trip down the history of instructional design, its models and theories. Each of the following instructional design milestones has been chosen not only for its importance in the field of learning but also for its impact on future generations and various related disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, demography, and even biology and physiology.

Take A Trip With Us Through The Instructional Design Models and Theories Timeline

Our journey starts from the beginning of the 20th century and includes, inter alia, the famous Pavlovian Conditioning and Skinner’s Operant Conditional Theory, continues through the mid-50s and the first time computers were used in learning environments, the influential Problem-Based Learning inspired by Howard Barrows in the 60s, David Merrill’s Component Display Theory, the Cognitive Flexibility Theory in the late 1980s that aims to develop the learner’s ability to comprehend multidimensional situations, the introduction of multimedia and CD-ROMs in educational environments in the 90s, to the development of WebQuest in 1995, and the launch of the Authentic Learning Model in the late 2000s by Marilyn Lombardi.

Join Us As We Embark On A Journey Through Instructional Design History!

Each instructional design model and theory presented in this chronology will be analyzed thoroughly yet concisely and accompanied by the necessary real-world examples. We'll be adding new Instructional Design Models and Theories to this list after they are carefully researched and evaluated for their value and influence in the instructional design field. Enjoy this Instructional design journey in the history of instructional design, learn about the intriguing aspects of various instructional design theories, read about the dominant personalities that profoundly changed our sector, and feel free to contribute your own thoughts and assessments about any of the subjects discussed in this section. After all, as Horace Mann put it: “Every addition to true knowledge is an addition to human power.”

Instructional Design Models and Theories History*

• 1903 - Ivan Pavlov discovers Classical Conditioning Theory, while conducting research on the digestive system of dogs.
• 1910 - Thorndike introduces its Laws and Connectionism Theory, which are based on Active Learning Principles.
• 1922 - Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka and Wolfgang Köhler introduce Gestalt Psychology.
• 1930s - Psychologist Lev Vygotsky publishes the zone of proximal development (ZPD) and scaffolding theory.
• 1932 - Psychologist Frederic Bartlett proposes the Schema Theory.
• 1937 - B.F. Skinner introduces the Operant Conditioning Theory.
• 1937 - May and Doob publish Competition and Cooperation, where the Cooperative and Collaborative Learning Theory is launched, discussed, and analyzed.
• 1938 - John Dewey discusses Experiential Education in his book, Experience and Education.
• 1950s - The Information Processing Theory emerges.
• 1950s - Computer-based Instruction is used in educational and training environments.
• 1954 - Skinner introduces the Programmed Instruction Educational Model.
• 1960s - The Inquiry-based Learning Model is developed based on constructivist learning theories.
• 1961 - Jerome Bruner introduces the Discovery Learning Model.
• 1960s - Howard Barrows introduces Problem-based Learning (PBL) in the medical education program at McMaster University in Canada.
• 1963 - David Ausubel publishes his findings on the Subsumption Theory.
• 1962 - The Keller Plan revolves around the Individualized Instruction Model and is used in educational environments throughout the United States.
• 1971 - Allan Paivio hypothesized about the Dual Coding Theory; a theory of cognition.
• 1971 - Educators Vernom S. Gerlach and Donald P. Ely introduced the Gerlach and Ely Design Model.
• 1973 - Joseph Scandura publishes Structural Learning I: Theory and Research, which outlines the Structural Learning Theory.
• 1974 - Merlin Wittrock publishes the Generative Learning Theory.
• 1978- Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Learning Theory influences the West.
• 1979 - Charles Reigeluth introduces the Elaboration Theory.
• 1980 - Reginald Revans introduces the Action Learning Model.
• 1983 - David Merrill introduces the Component Display Theory and Instructional Model.
• 1983 - J. M. Keller's ARCS Model of Motivation is published.
• 1983 - Psychologist Howard Gardner introduces the theory of multiple intelligences.
• 1988 - Spiro, Feltovich, and Coulson introduce their Cognitive Flexibility Theory.
• 1989 - Brown, Collins, Duguid, and Newman introduce their Situated Cognition Theory and the Cognitive Apprenticeship Model.
• 1990 - The Cognition & Technology Group at Vanderbilt University develops the Anchored Instruction Educational Model.
• 1990s - Multimedia and CD-ROMs are introduced in educational environments.
• 1991 - Lave and Wenger introduce the Communities of Practice Model and the Situated Learning Theory in "Situated learning: legitimate peripheral participation".
• 1991 - Hudspeth and Knirk publish the case-based Learning Model in Performance Improvement Quarterly.
• 1992 - Roger C. Schank releases a technical report introducing the Goal-based Scenario Model.
• 1993 - The first Computer-supported Intentional Learning Environments (CSILEs) prototype is used in a university setting.
• 1995 - Saltzberg and Polyson publish Distributed Learning on the World Wide Web, which outlines the Distributed Learning Model.
• 1995 - Dodge and March develop WebQuest.
• 1996 - Professor Joseph R. Codde publishes a report that outlines Contract Learning.
• 2005 - George Siemens and Stephen Downes introduce the Connectivism Learning Theory.
• 2006 - Punya Mishra and Matthew J. Koehler established the TPACK framework.
• 2007 - M. Lombardi publishes a report outlining the Authentic Learning Model.

*You are more than welcome to let us know if you would like us to cover an instructional design model and theory that is not included in the above list! Simply leave a comment!

Read Also

• Top 10 Instructional Design Theories & Models For Your Next eLearning Course
• Instructional Design Models and Theories: The Generative Learning Theory
• Instructional Design Models and Theories: Individualized Instruction Model
• Instructional Design Models and Theories: Dual Coding Theory
• Instructional Design Models and Theories: Inquiry-based Learning Model