A couple of days ago, our IDT 7095/8095: Developing Interactive Learning Environments II course began exploring different instructional design models. We first started with the classification scheme by Branch and Gustafson in a short overview created by Suha Tamim.
Part 2: Instructional Design Texts
First, view this interactive module on seminal instructional design texts. This module was created by graduate student Suha Tamim. This module will give you a feel for the variety of different types of instructional models that exist, as well as provide you with the references for these models … just in case you find one that really resonates with you.
If you have not developed in or viewed any instructional units with Articulate, then you may want to view this quick overview tutorial created by Suha Tamim, a doctoral student at The University of Memphis. This short tutorial will highlight some of the navigation features of the Articulate player and how it will be used in this instructional design models unit.
Second, after having reviewed the interactive module on seminal instructional design texts, consider this question:
This selection of books contains at least two books that you have used so far. Briefly, reflect on the approaches taken in each book with respect to the ease of use of the model as guide for developing instruction.
If you have used or read other books on Instructional Design, please share their titles with the class as well as your opinion about them. What resonated with you about these texts.
Post your response in the comments below.
The first book I ever saw in instructional design was Reiser & Dempsey’s Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology. This book doesn’t give one model, but makes available the more readily used ones. This book is interesting because each chapter is written by a different author. One could probably describe the authors as the “Who’s Who of IDT”. The interesting part is that the voice changes throughout. Sometimes for the better. I appreciate how we have different people’s input and ideas, impacting the whole field.
I like how it is organized. (It moves from trying to define IDT to the background and history of the field to the models and theories to the trends to how to get a job. It concludes with the future of IDT). I have used this book as a resource for many projects/assignments in other classes-even my educational psychology class. It is a keeper for my bookshelf!
The other book I feel very comfortable with is Morrison, Ross, and Kemp’s Designing Effective Instruction. This book is a handbook-not a quick read, but a useful reference. It moves (as all books of this type should) from a general overview of the model to each portion of the MRK model being described in detail. The use of headings and subheadings was extremely helpful, as these were the same headings we were expected to use in our documentation. I was able to quickly reference the expectations for each section. My favorite part of this book was the sample documentation in the back. I am that type of student who wants an end product as an example, so I know what my evaluator is expecting. This was extremely helpful for me and increases the ease of understanding the model.
I have had great success with the MRK model. The model can be adapted in different environments such as K-12, higher ed, and business. The authors talk you through the instructional development model that allows the user to design effective instruction. The model is in a continuous pattern to allow the designer to start and stop at different places in the design process. It is easily adaptable to different situations and different instruction and focuses on formative and summative evaluation.
Like Logan, I too have used Resiser & Dempsey’s Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology book. It is extremely useful when designing instruction because it looks at instructional designing, technology, and performance. The book provides a solid historical background, where instructional design is today, and what you can expect to see in the future. It is an excellent book that provides an instructional designer with the foundation for developing effective instruction.
Another model I have researched in a another class is the ASSURE model by Heinich, Molenda, Russel and Smaldino. It is geared toward the classroom instructional environment and is a great model for educators. It is a process that helps teachers integrate technology into the learning environment and incorporates Robert Gagne’s nine events of instruction for effective learning. It contains six steps which consist of the following:
1. Analyze Learners
2. State Objectives
3. Select Methods, Media, and Materials
4. Utilize Media and Materials
5. Require Learner Participation
6. Evaluate and Revise
I made an error and would like to correct it. I typed Resiser and it should be Reiser.
The Reiser and Kemp book was used in the first IDT course I ever took. I found this book exceptionally good in introducing the field to its reader and providing informing them of the leaders in the field. Interestingly, when my dad, who was visiting me then, asked me about the field, I gave the book to him and he read it. So he too knows quite some information about the ID discipline! I particularly like the way the each chapter is organized in this book, with some questions asked upfront about which the reader starts thinking and then more information pertaining to the question is detailed. The MRK model is very memorable as the book acts almost like a job-aid. As Logan has pointed out, the sample documentation was very helpful. Same goes for the Dick and Carey model. The explicit listing of objectives at the beginning of chapter and working through each phase of a sample instructional problem really helped understand the model well.
I like your mention of the Reiser and Kemp book. I always looked at it as a general overview more than a reference for design. I should pay more careful attention to it. Also, it seems that we have a preference to the MRK book because of its straight forward approach. Jennifer, I had the chance to look at the ASSURE model as I was preparing these ID modules, and now in its new 2008 edition it is Instrucitonal Technology for Media and Learning by Smaldino, Lowther, Russell. As you said, it is a wonderful guide for teachers, providing them with an overview on good design principles and explaining the model with classroom examples.
Another book that I like is Instructional Design by Smith and Ragan.It provides a model for instructional design with richness in choices for instructional strategies for the different types of learning.
The very first ID book I used was Smith and Ragan’s Instructional Design. Like MRKK or Dick Carey and Carey, it did not present any design models but familiarized me with the generic ADDIE framework. It evoked interest by adequately setting the learning environment by describing what is instruction and why is instructional design important. It provided me with different yet similar procedures (in context of ADDIE) to design instruction for various environments, after building the base of the teaching and learning theories and instructional strategies. This book provides content is such a way that it is easy to read and comprehend.
Similarly, I agree with my other friends on and the effectiveness of the MRKK book and the success of the model. It is a very comprehensive and easy to follow book.
Like most in the class, the first book I used was the Reiser and Kemp book. Because it was for my first IDT course, I do agree with Logan about the authors. I also think it is a resource for describing our field. I think it is wonderful that Prashanthi was able to share with her family.
The MRK model and Dick & Carey model books both provided procedures to follow. A way to describe them could be recipe books. They provide each ingredient for you with measurements. If you follow the recipe, you will have a working product.