Gagne’s 9 Events of Instruction
Gagnés Model of Nine Events describes a list of instructional steps that promote student learning. When designing a lesson, class or module, consider strategies for addressing each of the events.
Gain Attention
Begin the learning experience by capturing student attention.
Instructional Strategies:
- Announcement
- Leading questions
- Presenta dilemma Provide novel/surprising information or objects Students pose questions Ice breaker activity
Inform the Learner about the Learning Objectives / Outcomes
Be explicit and clear about what you expect students to do and how student performance will be assessed. Keep it brief.
Instructional Strategies:
- Provide Learning Objectives
- Discuss Guidelines
- Give Checklists or Rubrics
- Discussion
Stimulate Recall of Prior knowledge
Help students learn new information by connecting it to prior knowledge or experience.
Instructional Strategies:
- Explain/Relate previous course information
- Ask students to discuss prior learning/experience
- Incorporate prior learning in course activity
Present the Content / Learning Materials
Present learning content in an organized manner. Use active learning techniques and other effective instructional methods.
Instructional Strategies:
- Demonstrations
- Active lectures
- Videos
- Web sites
- Groupwork
- Other resources
Provide Learning Guidance
The instructor helps students learn how to learn by providing support, but not providing the answers.
Instructional Strategies:
- Scaffolding techniques
- Concept maps
- Study guides, checklists, or rubrics
- Peer-Peer support
- Discussions (whole class or group)
- Case studies
- Learning examples
Elicit Performance (Practice)
Have students apply learning to demonstrate achievement of learning objectives. Assess performance with low stakes activities.
Instructional Strategies:
- Practical activities/labs
- Practice quizzes/tests (not a significant impact on grade)
- Drafts of papers
- Whole class discussions
- Games
Provide Feedback
Prompt and clear feedback is important. Specific feedback will reinforce retention and correct any learning errors.
Instructional Strategies:
- Self, peer and/or faculty evaluation
- Practice quizzes or activities that offer immediate feedback
- Written/audio feedback
- Games
- Discussion
- Rubrics
Access Performance
Summative assessment measures student performance against expected student learning outcomes.
Instructional Strategies:
- Finished Paper
- Project/Product
- Exam/Test/Quiz (pre and post)
- Essay/Oral Report
- Presentation
- & More
Generalize for New Students
Help students retain and internalize the information by using information for real-world application.
Instructional Strategies:
- Make learning connections
- Summarize learning with application to a new situation
- Reflect on the learning experience (journaling)
- Identify a new situation or application for the new knowledge
Based on: Gagné, R M., Briggs, L. J., & Wager, W. W. (1992). Principles of instructional design (4th ed.). TX: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers.