Goodbye ADDIE?

ADDIE is an acronym for the major stages in the ISD process: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation.

The most significant weakness of the ADDIE model is that it assumes that you know all of the requirements before you can start the development phase. In reality, the end product is often shaped by the design process. As the instructional designer works with the content he/she can discover new requirements.

There is general agreement that detailed implementation of the ADDIE model "will not work for constructivist or learner-centred teaching, nor do web 2.0 tools fit easily with an ADDIE model". Still the ADDIE "framework is useful, because it forces one to look at teaching and learning from a systems perspective". However, "slavish adherence to all the detailed steps [is] probably futile". Tony Bates

Getting a perspective on Instructional Design Models

ADDIE provides a structured way of project managing the Instructional Design Process but other models can provide more assistance with designing the actual instructions. Different design models can be useful in different ways. It can depend on the context, the targeted learners and the subject matter. It is the instructional designer's role to identify the most appropriate approach for each context. A dogmatic approach, clinging to only one design method, will limit the capabilities of an Instructional Designer.

Whilst ADDIE does give a framework and systematic approach to Instructional Design, it can be argued that it is out of date. It was created for the US Army in 1975. The military have a large number of instructional designers who influenced the corporate and educational sectors to adapt the ISD or ADDIE model.

"...considering the kinds of training challenges that are likely to prevail in the years ahead, however, we'd best get used to thinking more flexibly about instructional design than we have in the past. (Gordon & Zemke, 2000, pg. 53).

ADDIE has been a useful tool for more than 35 years but it is not necessarily the best model to use now. Some of the primary skills needed by the instructional designer are adaptability and flexibility to find ways to meet the learning objectives within the constraints of the project.

Course on Instructional Design Models

In this course you will learn about the major Instructional Design Models; from traditional to contemporary models. It will equip the instructional designer to adapt to the most appropriate model or even take elements from several models. You will have the chance to make sense of these models and understand the concepts that will help you in the design process. More information.

References

Don Clarke M.A. - The ADDIE Model

The future of instructional design – or my heart belongs to ADDIE. Tony Bates

Bortz's Learning Module: An Alternative Approach to Training Program Curriculum Development
R. Lance Hogan, Ph.D., Natalie Garling, M.S.,