Characteristics of Instructional Design Models

Branch defines instructional design as a system of procedures for developing and training curricula in a consistent and reliable fashion.

"Traditional" instructional design models follow ADDIE model (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation). This approach has been criticized because by breaking complex skills apart and teaching them separately, learners can have difficulties putting it all together to perfirm the complex task.

Another approach, called whole-task approach, focuses on tasks that get progressively harder. By the end of instruction, the learner should be able to complete the complex whole task.

I think both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages and their should be used based on a specific task and situation.

Branch lists 6 important characteristics of ID:
1. ID is student centered
2. ID s goal oriented
3. ID focuses on meaningful performance
4. ID assumes outcomes can be measured in a reliable and valid way
5. ID is empirical, iterative, and self-correcting
6. ID typically is a team effort