What Is an Instructional Design Model?
An instructional design model is a structured framework that guides the planning, development, delivery, and evaluation of learning experiences. These models are grounded in learning theory and design best practice to ensure that instructional materials are effective, efficient and aligned with how people learn.
Each model offers a unique methodology, from linear to iterative, and helps instructional designers define learning objectives, organize content, assess outcomes and continuously improve the learning process. Understanding the importance of instructional models is essential for those working in curriculum design, corporate training, eLearning and other learning design roles.
Top 6 Instructional Design Models to Know
Below are six widely used instructional design models and frameworks that represent a range of instructional design theories and methodologies. Each offers a different approach to curriculum planning, learning delivery and evaluation. Click a model name to jump to that section:
These instructional design models and methods give learning professionals flexible tools to match the unique needs of their learners, environments and goals.
Why Learning Models That Date Back to WWII Are So Important Today
When it comes to instructional design models and theories, ADDIE is the most widely recognized name among professional learning designers (more on “her” in a moment). But there are also many other notable names and theories that are highly relevant to current and aspiring instructional designers, as well as anyone who is curious about learning.
From Bloom’s Taxonomy and Gagné’s Nine Events of Instruction to Merrill’s Principles of Instruction and countless others, all of the theories and models related to instructional design have at least one thing in common: They are part of the evolution of humankind’s ongoing exploration into the science of how people learn.
History of Instructional Design Models
The field of instructional design officially dates back to World War II, when America’s war effort demanded a highly effective and methodological approach to training vast numbers of people. In the years following the war, new efforts to identify the underpinnings of how people learn and use such insights to create effective learning frameworks emerged (see more below).
Today, instructional design is at the heart of a vitally important trend in education and training. Formalized instructional design processes are being utilized across higher education, the corporate world and government to help people learn essential information and skills quickly, effectively and at scale. These processes are increasingly found in technology-enhanced virtual environments, in addition to more traditional face-to-face instruction.
6 Popular Instructional Design Models and Frameworks
Dozens of instructional design-related theories and models were developed in the post-World War II years. Some of the notable ones include:
1. Bloom’s Taxonomy
Bloom’s Taxonomy is a hierarchical framework developed by Benjamin Bloom and colleagues in 1956 and revised in 2001 by Lorin Anderson and David Krathwohl. It categorizes cognitive skills to help educators design curricula that promote higher-order thinking and deeper learning. As learners progress through these levels, they move from basic knowledge recall up to complex analysis and creation:
2. Gagné’s Nine Events of Instruction
Gagné identified five major categories of learning: verbal information, intellectual skills, cognitive strategies, motor skills and attitudes. He also famously theorized that there are nine instructional “events” that are instrumental in the learning process:
| 1. Gaining the attention of the learners | 2. Informing them of the objectives | 3. Stimulating recall of prior learning |
| 4. Presenting the stimulus (learning materials or content) | 5. Providing learning guidance | 6. Eliciting performance (through practice) |
| 7. Providing feedback | 8. Assessing performance | 9. Enhancing retention and transfer (of knowledge and skills) |
3. Dick and Carey Instructional Systems Design
The Dick and Carey Instructional Model, developed by Walter Dick and Lou Carey, presents a systematic approach to instructional design by treating instruction as a system of interrelated components. It emphasizes carefully aligning goals, analysis, strategy and evaluation to create effective educational experiences. The model outlines these ten steps in the instructional design process:
| 1. Identify instructional goals | 2. Conduct instructional analysis |
| 3. Analyze learners and contexts | 4. Write performance objectives |
| 5. Develop assessment instruments | 6. Develop instructional strategy |
| 7. Develop and select instructional materials | 8. Design and conduct formative evaluation |
| 9. Revise instruction | 10. Design and conduct summative evaluation |
4. ADDIE
Next comes ADDIE, whose familiar acronym stands for the five key stages of the instructional design process: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation.
Developed by Florida State University’s Center for Educational Technology in the 1970s, ADDIE is as vital as ever to the field of instructional design today. Many other subsequent approaches to learning design build upon or adapt core elements of the ADDIE model.
Despite recent trends toward agile, rapid prototyping of instructional materials, ADDIE is described as “the best way to learn how to create an online course.”
ADDIE is arguably the most important instructional design model because it provides a universal framework for instructional design. All instructional design models follow some variation of a three-step process derived from ADDIE that includes:
- Analyzing a situation to determine the instructional need,
- Producing and implementing an instructional solution, and
- Evaluating the outcomes of implementing the design. (Brown & Green, 2024)
5. SAM
SAM (short for Successive Approximation Model) is a leading example of the industry trend toward iterative design and delivery frameworks now being used to meet the need for speed in the fast-growing world of instructional design. Its three key phases include:
- Preparation
- Iterative design
- Iterative development
[FREE GUIDE] The 9 Reasons You Should Consider a Career in Instructional Design (Plus Salary Info)
6. Kirkpatrick Model
The Kirkpatrick Model, developed by Dr. Donald Kirkpatrick in 1959, is a widely used framework for evaluating the effectiveness of training programs. It provides a systematic method to assess the impact on participants and organizations by examining outcomes at multiple levels. This approach helps organizations understand how their programs influence immediate reactions, knowledge acquisition, behavior change and overall results. In this model, the four levels of evaluation include:
- Reaction
- Learning
- Behavior
- Results
Top 6 Instructional Design Models Comparison
To better understand how these popular instructional design models differ, here’s a side-by-side comparison highlighting their core focus and how each might be applied in real-world learning environments.
| Instructional Design Model | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Bloom’s Taxonomy | A framework for categorizing cognitive learning objectives from basic recall to creation | Developing a multi-level nursing exam that tests recall, application and analysis |
| Gagné’s Nine Events | A sequence of instructional events to guide the learning process | Designing a cybersecurity workshop that opens with a breach scenario, states clear objectives, prompts prior knowledge and ends with a scenario-based quiz |
| Dick and Carey | A systems-based model that aligns goals, content and evaluation across 10 steps | Creating a customer service certification program with measurable objectives and ongoing formative testing |
| ADDIE | A linear, five-phase approach: Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate | Building a company-wide onboarding course that includes a learner needs analysis, mockups, pilot testing and post-launch evaluations |
| SAM | An iterative, agile approach emphasizing repeated cycles of design and development | Developing a software training module in weekly sprints, with continuous user testing and revisions after each round |
| Kirkpatrick Model | A four-level evaluation framework for training outcomes | Evaluating a sales training through analyzing learner satisfaction, post-training quizzes, on-the-job behavior shifts and quarterly revenue |
Expanded List of Instructional Models and Curriculum Design Theories
Why are there so many instructional design models, frameworks and theories? One reason is that there’s no single “correct” approach to learning. Each model offers a different lens through which instructional designers can approach course design, training and performance improvement, depending on the learning context and goals.
Here is an instructional design models comparison of 10 additional instructional design models and learning theories frequently referenced in both academic and workplace learning environments:
| Instructional Design Model | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| ASSURE Model | Acronym that stands for analyze learners, state standards and objectives, select strategies and media, utilize materials, require participation, evaluate and revise; a structured framework for integrating technology and media into instruction | Designing a multimedia lesson plan using digital tools for K–12 learners |
| Backward Design (Understanding by Design) | A planning method that begins with learning goals and works backward to design instruction | Developing a professional training course by identifying end goals first |
| Kemp Design Model | A flexible, non-linear approach that considers all factors influencing the learning environment | Building onboarding modules with branching paths based on learner roles |
| Anchored Instruction Model | A contextualized learning strategy that embeds content in real-world, problem-rich scenarios | Teaching business ethics through video-based case studies |
| Cognitive Apprenticeship | A model that emphasizes learning through guided practice, modeling and coaching | Training technical employees using step-by-step coaching and reflection |
| Situated Learning Theory | A theory that supports learning in authentic, socially interactive contexts | Running mock client meetings in a business communication course |
| Andragogy (Malcolm Knowles) | A theory of adult learning that prioritizes self-direction and real-world application | Having HR professionals analyze workplace case studies to revise policy |
| Social Learning Theory (Albert Bandura) | A model that views learning as a process of observing and imitating others | Encouraging knowledge sharing through peer mentoring programs |
| Sociocultural Learning Theory (Lev Vygotsky) | A framework that highlights the importance of culture, language and social interaction in learning | Supporting language acquisition through collaborative storytelling |
| Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development | A developmental theory that explains how learners construct knowledge in stages | Aligning lesson content with learners’ cognitive readiness by age group |
| Zone of Proximal Development (Lev Vygotsky) | A theory that emphasizes learning just beyond current ability levels with guided support | Coaching a new employee through their first client presentation step by step |
How to Select an Instructional Design Model
1. Consider Time, Budget and Project Scope
In the real world, choices about which instructional design models to use are very often driven by constraints such as time, budget and project scope. Though you may hope to plan out a methodical and comprehensive linear approach, time constraints may push you to adopt a rolling approach with built-in checkpoints to meet deadlines.
2. Start with a Strong Foundation
A comprehensive understanding of ADDIE as an overall process and why each element is important will ensure that an instructional designer is on the right track, since that fundamental knowledge will equip them to adapt to the demands of each project or situation.
3. Prioritize Learner Empathy
This is technically not a “how to select a model” piece of advice, but rather, an essential concept to keep in mind, no matter what model or theory you use to frame a project. The importance of bringing empathy to each instructional design or learning experience design project cannot be overstated, specifically empathy for learners for whom your instructional materials are intended. Empathy maps are a tool many instructional designers use to develop human-centered insights that connect to a “put yourself in the learner’s shoes” approach.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are ID models?
Instructional design (ID) models are structured frameworks that guide the development of effective learning experiences. These models help designers align learning objectives, content, assessments and delivery methods in a logical, learner-centered way. They draw on educational theory, research and best practices to ensure instruction is purposeful and measurable.
What are examples of instructional design models?
Common examples of instructional design models include:
- Bloom’s Taxonomy – a hierarchical framework for cognitive learning objectives
- Gagné’s Nine Events of Instruction – a sequence for engaging and supporting learners
- Dick and Carey Model – a systematic approach to instructional systems design
- ADDIE – a widely used five-phase process
- SAM (Successive Approximation Model) – a cycle of continuous development and refinement
- Kirkpatrick Model – a framework for evaluating training effectiveness
Each model has strengths that make it well-suited for specific learning contexts or audiences.
What kind of ID model is ADDIE?
ADDIE is a foundational instructional design model that outlines a step-by-step process for developing instructional materials. It’s considered a process-based or system-oriented model because it emphasizes sequential stages that can be applied across a wide range of learning environments. Many modern instructional design methods are built upon or adapted from ADDIE’s core framework.
What are the 5 stages of ADDIE?
The ADDIE model includes the following five stages:
- Analysis – Identify learning needs, goals and audience characteristics
- Design – Plan learning objectives, content structure and delivery strategy
- Development – Create instructional materials and activities
- Implementation – Deliver the learning experience to the target audience
- Evaluation – Assess effectiveness and gather feedback for improvements
These phases provide a repeatable structure for instructional designers to create effective, scalable solutions.
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