Psychologist Robert Gagne identified 9 instructional "events" (or approaches) that optimize the mental conditions for optimal learning among adult learners. Keeping these instructional events in mind when designing and delivering your course content has been shown to strengthen learner engagement and to promote mastery of the material (Ambrose et al., 2010). The table below briefly summarizes each instructional event and provides examples of how you may apply each event in the development and delivery of your course.
GAGNE’S 9 EVENTS OF INSTRUCTION |
|
Instructional Event |
Application |
1. Gain learners’ attention by preparing them to learn and participate in activities. |
|
2. Informing learners of objectives for the course, the lesson/module, or a particular activity, to help them know what they should expect to learn and do. |
List learning objectives/competencies on the syllabus/ the lesson slides/ Canvas module/activity or assignment instructions |
3. Stimulate recall of prior learning: relate new information to be learned to something that learners already know or have experienced. |
Refer back to prior lectures or courses Ask about prior experiences Ask learners to incorporate prior knowledge into current tasks |
4. Present content strategically and in an organized way and allow time for explanation and demonstration as appropriate. |
Present course material in multiple ways if possible (e.g. video, text, lecture, podcast) Incorporate active learning strategies to keep learners engaged For all course modalities, utilize Canvas to keep materials organized and easy to access |
5. Provide learning guidance and some structure to help learners how to study and learn. |
Clear expectations, instructions, timelines Provide examples/ non-examples |
6. Elicit performance by allowing learners to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned. |
Develop applied group or individual projects Scaffold higher stake assignments Build in formative assessments |
7. Provide feedback to help learners identify progress as well as gaps in learning. |
Provide formative and summative feedback Utilize peer- and self-evaluation methods. |
8. Assess performance on expected learning outcomes and competencies. |
Utilize low- and high-stake assessments as needed Embed frequent assessment points throughout the semester with opportunities for feedback. |
9. Enhance retention and transfer to real-world contexts. |
Allow opportunity for learners to relate course work to personal experiences. Provide opportunities for discussion in small groups. |
References
Gagne, R. (1985). The conditions of learning and theory of instruction (4th ed.). Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.
Ambrose, S.A., Bridges, M.W., DiPietro, M., Lovett, M.C., & Norman, M.K. (2010). How Learning Works. 7 Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching. Jossey-Bass.
The University of Florida, Center for Instructional Technology and Training. (2018). Gagne's 9 events of instruction. Retrieved from https://citt.ufl.edu/tools/gagnes-9-events-of-instruction/
Northern Illinois University Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (2020). Instruction guide for university faculty and teaching assistants. Retrieved from https://www.niu.edu/citl/resources/guides/instructional-duide