I’m going to say it out loud: I’m a big fan of ADDIE (i.e., that is analysis, design, development, implementation, evaluation). When it comes to ADDIE, here’s what I think:
ADDIE is a framework for design.
ADDIE gets a bad wrap. There’s a linear connotation.
ADDIE is what it is. It’s not what it’s not.
Recently, around the blogosphere of ID and elearning, there’s been quite a bit of talk about the horror that is laid at the feet of ADDIE. Over at eLearning Roadtrip, Ellen Wagner wrote how much ID and elearning professional dislike ADDIE. Similarly, over at Corporate eLearning Strategies, Brent Schlenker generalized the feeling toward ADDIE across to instructional is dead.
In Ellen’s post, she seems to nail one of the general themes that I find frustrates others about ADDIE. She writes that “ADDIE isn’t a learning model.” Well, of course, it isn’t. ADDIE is a framework for design. It’s certainly from the instructional designer, elearning professional, and even teacher’s perspective. It is what it is, and it’s not what it’s not. ADDIE does not represent the learner’s perspective at all. Similarly, Brent emphasizes that ADDIE can really be generalized to any design process.
Another element that Ellen brings up (and I agree) is that ADDIE gets a bad rap for appearing to be linear. It certainly looks linear. The fact that we speak it as a word, like Addie the girl’s name, seems to cement this thinking. But I believe, professionals who understand ADDIE as a framework don’t really believe it to be linear. They understand ADDIE is a process tool for interpreting a complex system. They understand the barriers between the A and the D and the next D are permeable, passing data and decisions back and forth across the process.
So, there you have it. I like ADDIE. I’m out of the closet. Is it better than sliced bread? Nope, only Nutella is and then it’s better on sliced bread. ADDIE is a framework for design. It might look linear, but it’s not. It’s not from a learner’s perspective either.
So, what do you think? What do you think are the pros and cons to ADDIE? Where does it fit in your world? How do you use it? How do you make sense out of it? Do you have some love to show?
From where I stand in my journey of learning about instructional design, I cannot claim exposure to all models. However, I believe I can express my personal view based on what I know so far. ADDIE is like putting Instructional Design Models in nutshell. It appearance, it is not as detailed as the other models. In practice, it should seek more or less the same details in order to result in successful in instructional design. I believe that it can be used successfully after only after a deep understanding of each of its components. In other words, it is a simple model that should not be used simplistically.
ADDIE — I love it! I am not ashamed of it. My journey into the field of Instructional Design and Technology has included many courses, readings, discussions, conference sessions, etc. with ID models as the focus. I do not believe I have seen a model yet that I have not distilled into, “oh, that’s just ADDIE with extra emphasis on the [fill in the blank] component”. I’ve seen people with spiral models, vertical models, “linear” models, practically any shape, but I’ve never been convinced that they were really different than ADDIE.
Is ADDIE linear? Yes, when you write it out A-D-D-I-E. In practice, it should not be linear. It isn’t when I use it. At any stage you might discover something that takes you back (or forward) to another component of the model. As an instructional designer you have to be flexible, if you are not flexible the learners will suffer the most.
This is a bit of an emotional response with no “meat” to it. Now I need to put on my professor hat and think of a scholarly response. Hey, maybe I can get a conference presentation out of something along these lines. So much to do…
What struck me about the UT project was how detailed it was. The use of ADDIE is evident from the beginning as they identify their three target groups or potential users. I can see how the project time line and detailed plan would definitely streamline the project and help avoid additional planning in the later stages. The Math Tutor project had an excellent design and layout. It was easy to follow with clear and concise objectives. Evidence of the ADDIE model can be found in the multiple points of evaluation. I am not familiar with other design models, but the ADDIE model seems basic enough to fit a wide variety of projects.
“ADDIEs Anonymous”: My name is “Linda” and I’ve been an ADDIE fan for one year (applause and reassurrances from crowd).
More specifically, what I have found is that ADDIE helps keep me focused on ALL the key components that need to be included. But I do agree with Suha’s comment that ADDIE is “used successfully only after a deep understanding of each of its components” and I think that much of my understanding really came from working intensively through the MRK and Dick and Carey models. After the in-depth work, ADDIE gives me a marvelous scaffold for hanging the details of instructional design.
As for it’s nonlinear application, I think any visual representation of ADDIE should use a design more akin to the atomic symbol (see symbol at http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_326/1224696104IP8s1R.jpg).
In IDT instruction, we need the exposure to the detailed models such as MRK and Dick and Carey to lay the foundation. I don’t believe I have–to date anyway–read a description of ADDIE that covers enough detail.
Think of ADDIE as a job aid!
Based on all that I have read so far on ADDIE, it seems to me that this framework provides instructional designers with a regulated approach of designing instruction encompassing the important aspects like analysis of leaner ability, problem, defining objectives, developing appropriate instruction to solve the problem and evaluation. This simple, non-linear and easy to use framework seems to provide a roadmap for instructional designers to design effective instruction which utilizes the learner’s time efficiently and produced better outcomes.
I personally feel that ADDIE is the most straighforward, yet extensive model. It is easy to remember, AND it covers the important steps that are required for successful instructional design. I get boggled down with all of the models that say the same thing, yet seem so much more complex.
In addition, I believe that ADDIE is assumed a continous process even though it appears linear when written about.
Because I am a novice in the field, my comments will be limited. I have never used ADDIE knowingly. However, the video helped me see I used it as a teacher. For example, when one child was having difficulty with color identification, I would develop a folder game. I began by analyzing the problem – color identification and moved through the process. ADDIE was a wonderful process for me.
I am new to the ADDIE model, well, in a sense. Do I approach almost all projects in some organized manner, such as ADDIE; yes. To me (please note this is my first ID class) the ADDIE model makes sense. Its seems a logical progression to complete a very complex or simple task. My background is graphic communications. In design, you must know the basics of print before you can move on to designing the complex printing pieces that too often seem ‘linear’. Printing is not a ‘slap ink onto some paper and call it a flier’. There are many steps you must complete before the project is considered a success. Before I design an item for a client, I consider the basics of the printing process and create my design file from there. Much like the ADDIE model, I see it as the basics, the starting point. Once you have the basics down, you can add to and take away, taking a very linear concept to a entirely new level of creation and application.
As a newbie to the field of IDT, ADDIE gives me a starting point. It is a framework that lends itself to a great product. For me, starting with a framework is key because in the initial phase, it requires the focus of figuring out what the problem is and defining it. As a teacher, it reminds me of how I design my lesson plans. It’s not the exact same process, but the evaluation is key for both.
I agree with Linda, that it will keep me focused on all key components and it seems easy to use and relevant for lots of different areas. It’s common sense.
As my personal opinion, ADDIE model is a successful instructional model. Instructors use the model to design the lesson. It struck my thinking; many new instructional models are from original ADDIE model.
Even other models tried to explain or develop new model, but it still use ADDIE model for their sample.
ADDIE is my friend! For those new to instruction design, it is a useful tool to apply previous training materials toward for gap/process analysis. New instruction designers will appreciate the simplicity of the ADDIE model, as well as the process that makes it possible for a designer to have a design framework that allows flexibility in project execution.
For the most part this has been my first exposure to the ADDIE model. Previous classes have made references to it but not to any great detail. The process appears to be very straight forward, but I am sure there is much more to it. If I am correct, a person can, and will, revisit each stage of the ADDIE model numerous times through out the design process. I hate to admit it but the video that used getting a date as a means to demonstrate the ADDIE model really helped.
From what I have learned so far about ADDIE- it is a format that instructional designers use to begin and produce final products. ADDIE breaks the design process down into stages or steps.
Some pros to ADDIE is that it provides a path on what to do next and what should be done or included at each stage. Some cons to using ADDIE is that you can go back and forth between the stages.
ADDIE fits into my world because I am a trainer and a designer. I use this process when constructing modules or job aids for departments in the company. As a new designer ADDIE reminds me of important steps and allows me to have a process from start to finish.
Many people do not realize that we use ADDIE in other instances besides design in our daily lives…
The assumption of ADDIE being “linear” appears at first to be a logical assumption. After all, you can’t have a finished design project until all previous steps have been completed right? Be it corporate trainers or instructional designers, I honeslty think that we all agree with Reiser & Dempsey’s (2002)definition anaysis that all instructional design procedures “include the core elements of ADDIE to ensure congruence amoung goals, strategies, and evaluation and the effectiveness of the resulting instruction (p. 18). It is not linear and its effectiveness relies upon the fact it is not. Just a thought!
During my 20 years as an instructional designer, ADDIE has always been a foundational component to any ID model. However, as noted by Molenda (2003), “the ADDIE Model is merely a colloquial term used to describe a systematic approach to instructional development, virtually synonymous with instructional systems development (ISD). The label seems not to have a single author, but rather to have evolved informally through oral tradition. There is no original, fully elaborated model, just an umbrella term that refers to a family of models that share a common underlying structure (p. 1).
The first diagram of ADDIE depicts it as an iterative process (see Figure 1). Why do you think this model had evoked such varied passion and the underlying assumptions that it is linear model?
Enjoy reading the Molenda’s “In Search of the Elusive ADDIE Model” paper.
Molenda, M. (2003). In search of the elusive ADDIE model. Accessed May 17, 2009 from http://www.indiana.edu/…/In%20Search%20of%20Elusive%20ADDIE.pdf
Wow, everybody!
Such great comments. I really like the emphases you guys are placing on the flexibility of ADDIE. The framework is a nice structure for understand the more specific models. Big shout outs to Drs. Hodges, Carmichael, and Lowther for piping in and giving us new perspectives, too!
The key thing I find useful about ADDIE is using it when it is appropriate. When I started as an instructional designer I used it a lot. Now I feel comfortable modifying as I see fit. I do a lot of work with SME who have no idea about ID. ADDIE is a way to show them the process in a format that they can grasp right away.
Like any tool the important part is deciding when to use it.