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.