This blog will describe in detail the
instructional model know as Gagne’s Nine Events Of Instruction.
First off, Gagne’s Nine Events
Of Instruction is a model that is based off ideas stemming from the Cognitivist Theory of learning. Cognitivist Theory is based upon the
belief that learning can be maximized via an approach that is chiefly centered
upon the mental processes that enable effective learning. Additionally, it posits that learning is chiefly
facilitated through a structured approach that utilizes graphic organizers,
schema, links to prior learning, and other cognitive mechanisms in order to
transfer learning from short term to long term memory. In this theory, the teacher is the primary
distributor of knowledge via a rather didactic approach to instruction.
Linda Harasim stated that cognitivism is “interested in
theorizing and modeling the mental structures and processes that could explain
human behavior” in order to “devise accurate models…to create and/or prescribe
learning events to address more complex behaviors, such as problem solving and
decision making” (2012, p. 58).
Thus, students are tasked to
assimilate knowledge chiefly via the cognitive powers of their intellectual
abilities. Moreover, this process is
enhanced and facilitated by graphic organizers and other highly structured,
brain-based strategies.
Click here for more information about cognitivism.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gagne’s
Nine Events Of Instruction was created by Robert M. Gagne (1916-2002). It incorporates the above
ideals of Cognitivist Theory and
it is primarily teacher centered and highlights the belief that learning
transpires in the context of effective cognitive-based strategies and routines.
Gagne’s Nine Events Of
Instruction consist of the following steps:
1) Gain Attention: Gain
students’ attention so they will be focused upon the lesson at hand. This can be achieved via an engaging YouTube
videos or graphics of interest on the whiteboard in order to pique students’
interest ect.
2) Inform Learners Of The
Objectives: This can be achieved by orally stating or explicitly writing on the
board the learning objectives.
3) Stimulate Recall Of Prior
Learning: Help students to recall pertinent prior knowledge in order to build
upon that existing foundation/schema.
This can be done via a class brainstorm/discussion or a journal writing
ect.
4) Present The Content: Present
the lesson content utilizing diverse strategies in order to appeal to differing
learning styles. This can be
accomplished using PowerPoints, readings, computer simulations and other
computer software, YouTube videos, lectures etc.
5) Provide Learning Guidance: Provide detailed instructions, modeling, and
other support mechanisms so students can correctly learn in an assisted manner.
6) Elicit Performance
(Practice): Students apply and demonstrate their gained knowledge via
individual and group activities.
7) Provide Feedback: Provide
feedback to students regarding what they are doing well and what they need to
improve in. This may take the form of teacher feedback or peer feedback or
self-assessment.
8) Assess Performance: Use a
variety of assessments i.e. tests, quizzes, essays, and projects etc to assess
student performance.
9) Enhance Retention and
Transfer: This is done to permanently transfer lesson content from short term
memory to long term memory. This can be achieved by further repetitive
practice, metacognitive journal entries regarding the importance of the lesson
learned, a game based on the lesson content, and other fun activities.
Click here for detailed information
pertaining to Gagne’s Nine Events Of Instruction.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fig
3
The following is a practical example of Gagne’s Nine Events Of Instruction:
1) Gain Attention:
Watch a short (yet fun) YouTube
video about the importance of rounding whole numbers to any place value.
2) Inform Learners Of The Objective:
Write the following Common Core standard on the board and read
aloud with the class - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NBT.A.3 “Use place value
understanding to round multi-digit whole numbers to any place.”
3) Stimulate Recall Of Prior
Learning:
Students have already learned
how to round multi-digit whole numbers to the nearest 10 or 100 in the 3rd
grade. Therefore, remind them of this
fact by writing some numbers on the board like 1659 and 35498 and 500001. Then
ask for volunteers to raise their hand to show to the class how to round those
numbers to the nearest 10 or 100.
4) Present The Content:
Show a Khan Academy video about
how to round whole numbers to any place value.
Next, write several large numbers on the board and model how to round to
the nearest 1,000, 10,000, and 100,000.
Next, model how to round whole
numbers to any place value.
5) Provide Learning
Guidance:
Provide students with a written
set of directions that shows how to round whole numbers to any place value. Next, have students separate into groups of 4
and provide 5 large whole numbers for them to round to specified place
values. Walk around the class and answer
questions. Lastly, review the answers as
a whole class and answer questions.
6) Elicit Performance
(Practice):
Ask students to remain in groups
of 4. Then write several whole numbers
on the board and ask them to work together to round to the nearest 1,000,
10,000, and 100,000.
Then pass out a worksheet for
students to work on individually so they can practice rounding whole numbers to
any place value.
7) Provide Feedback:
Review answers to group
problems. Then, have students exchange
papers & grade each other’s paper as the teacher reviews the answers on the
board to the worksheet. Next, students
hand back the paper and provide feedback to their peer.
8) Assess Performance:
Have students write in their
journal how to round whole numbers to any place value. Next, have them individually complete a small
quiz.
9) Enhance Retention and
Transfer:
Students play a fun computer
game that involves rounding.
Click here for more detailed information pertaining to Gagne’s Nine
Events Of Instruction.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Harasim,
L. (2012). Learning theories
and online technologies. New
York, NY: Routledge
