Through reading Designing instructional systems (Molenda, M., Pershing, J.A., & Reigeluth, C.M. 1996), First principles of instruction (Merrill, M. David. 2002), The elaboration theory: Guidance for scope and sequence decisions (Reigeluth, C. M. 1999) these three articles, I found that it seems that there is some Potential association between different theories.
In the chapter on Designing instructional systems, the author focuses on a Business Impact ISD Model that is derived from the conventional ISD Model. The business impact ISD Model is based on the ADDIE Model and improves the model according to the characters of the business field. That is, the business impact ISD Model contains the foundation element of the ADDIE Model (such as analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation). Meanwhile, combining basic elements with business characteristics, also produces special methods, like the taxonomy of training evaluation ranging from stratum 0 to stratum 5.
In addition, in the chapter on Designing instructional systems, the authors point out that sequencing content has lower-level to higher-level skills, start to finish, first to last, and simple to complex these four methods. In the elaboration theory: Guidance for scope and sequence decisions (Reigeluth, C. M. 1999), the author also provides the methods for sequencing, that is, topical sequencing and spiral sequencing. But regardless of which method, its goal is in order to find the most suitable path for learners to study. Just like what Reigeluth said in the article, “The issue is not which pattern of sequencing is best, but when each is best”. These sequencing methods have no good or bad discrimination. They have their own special using condition. All of them are the best when they correctly apply in the match condition.
Hi Xiaojiao,
I like that you emphasized some important points in this reflection, especially that the way we sequence content should depend on the context. The different kinds of variables that involve in that decision making process are so diverse that it got me thinking again the qualities we value in an instructor or instructional design. In the end, there is probably not a correct method, but a more effective one in the right situation. Thanks for sharing.
-Renee
Hi, Xiaojiao
Good to read from your post about the association between different theories in the three articles you listed. Besides what you mentioned about the links one from another, the most interesting point from your post is the sequencing content. It has four different methods. Indeed, it is not easy to say which is the best, it would be more beneficial to learn when to apply to the appropriate situation. I think it is also similar to many other theories/models in ISD, how to apply them to the correct real-world cases, could greatly depend on how deep we learn and understand the theory/model and the actual problem.
Sungling