Instructional Design Theories

May 30, 2015

Instructional Design Models And Theories: The Cognitive Flexibility Theory

The Cognitive Flexibility Theory, introduced by Spiro, Feltovich, and Coulson in 1988, is about how learning takes place in “complex” and “ill-structured domains”. In essence, it’s a theory that strives to determine how the human mind can obtain and manage knowledge and how it restructures our existing knowledge base, based on the new information received. Research on the Cognitive Flexibility Theory has sought scientific evidence with respect to how knowledge is represented within the learner's mind, as well as which internal processes take place according to the mental representations we receive. In this article, I’ll briefly explain basic principles of the Cognitive Flexibility Theory and I’ll give you some ideas about its practical applications in the eLearning course design.

by Christopher Pappas

May 28, 2015

Behaviorism In Instructional Design For eLearning: When And How To Use It

How to write about the “benefits” of behaviorism when it is the learning approach that has received the most criticism? Behavioristic theories may sound out-of-date as, nowadays, everybody involved in Instructional Design for eLearning seems to favor constructivism. The incorporation of social media into eLearning course design has also opened new e-ways toward social learning, keeping “behaviorism” somewhere at the far end of the corridor, a scapegoat to blame for whatever we, as ”eLearning experts,” find not constructive enough. Then, why universities still bother teaching about behaviorism? Is behaviorism as old-fashioned as we consider it to be and by no means applicable in today’s digitalized world? In this article, I’ll try to give you some tips on how behaviorism can be applied in today’s Instructional Design for eLearning, and to explain for what type of eLearning activities it is more appropriate.

by Marisa Keramida (M.Ed.)

May 20, 2015

Instructional Design Models And Theories: Keller’s ARCS Model Of Motivation

John Keller is the founder of the ARCS Model of Motivation, which is based upon the idea that there are four key elements in the learning process which can encourage and sustain learners’ motivation. These four elements form the acronym ARCS of the model and stand for Attention, Relevance, Confidence and Satisfaction (ARCS). In this article, I’ll describe each one of them and I’ll share some of the eLearning strategies that eLearning professionals need to know in order to develop really engaging eLearning courses.

by Christopher Pappas

May 16, 2015

Instructional Design Models and Theories: The Component Display Theory

The Component Display Theory was introduced in 1983 by M. David Merrill to work alongside Reigeluth's Theory, with the first detailing the “micro elements” of an effective instructional design, though Reigeluth's theory the “macro elements”. The Component Display Theory soon gained popularity among instructional designers and in 1994 Merrill presented a new version of it, known as the Component Design Theory. In this article, I’ll go through its basic principles and how they can be applied to instructional design for eLearning.

by Christopher Pappas

February 8, 2015

How Brain Works? Surprising Brain Facts For eLearning Designers

Are you an eLearning Developer or a Designer in anyways? Have you ever wondered why you are not able to find some creative ideas to implement a solution during the peak hours of your work? Do you work on multiple projects in a day and ending up with less productivity or more errors? There are few surprising brain facts about how our brain works.

by Jiyo Mathew Johnson

December 31, 2014

The Forgetting Curve in eLearning: What eLearning Professionals Should Know

You may have devoted countless hours to content development and eLearning course design, but all will be for naught if your learners will not be able to commit what they've learned to long term memory. In this article, you will find everything you need to know about the forgetting curve in eLearning, so that your learners will always come away with the knowledge and skill sets they need to achieve their goals.

by Christopher Pappas

December 18, 2014

Instructional Design Models and Theories: Action Learning Model

The Action Learning Model was first introduced by Professor Reginald Revans in 1980, who was a noted physicist and the first known Industrial Management Professor.

by Christopher Pappas

December 6, 2014

Instructional Design Models and Theories: Elaboration Theory

The Elaboration Theory was introduced by Charles Reigeluth, an American educational theorist in 1979. The Elaboration Theory supports that the content organization should be presented in increasing order of difficulty.

by Christopher Pappas

December 3, 2014

5 Psychology Principles That eLearning Professionals Should Know

In this article, I'll highlight 5 psychology principles that you should use before you develop your next eLearning courses. Knowing how learners acquire information and why they need such information, is the key to becoming a successful eLearning professional. Using psychology principles in eLearning courses, offers eLearning professionals the chance to take full advantage of learning behaviors when creating their next eLearning deliverable.

by Christopher Pappas

November 26, 2014

Instructional Design Models and Theories: The Sociocultural Learning Theory

Leo Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist, introduced the Sociocultural Learning Theory. His quote that “through others we become ourselves” could be the quintessence of the Sociocultural Learning Theory, which supports that learning is a social process.

by Christopher Pappas

November 25, 2014

5 Brain Hacks to Get Your eLearners to Learn Faster

What if you could give your elearners the superpower of learning faster? Sound impossible? Not if you know the cognitive hacks to boost brain performance. Your subconscious mind is smarter than you. It makes most of your decisions without you--and without the permission of your conscious mind. It’s the fastest-acting part of your brain. Yet most eLearning courses engage the slowest acting part of the brain - the neocortex, seat of logic and reasoning.

by Vicki Kunkel

November 24, 2014

Tips On How To Use The 6 Laws of Perception in eLearning

In this article, I'll highlight the 6 Laws of Perception, also known as the Principles of Grouping (or Gestalt Laws of Grouping), and show you how to use each one of them in your eLearning course strategy. Regardless of the subject matter, the target audience, or the eLearning objectives, these Laws of Perception can help you to design highly effective eLearning courses.

by Christopher Pappas