Nine Events of Instruction
Once transformation processes are activated, learning can take place. Gagne proposed the events of instruction to facilitate activation of the processes. The order of these is not absolute and the manner of implementation can vary greatly.
- Gaining Attention: This is typically done through a stimulus change and can be repeated as the lesson progresses.
- Informing the Learner of the Objective: Objectives provide an instructional goal statement, explain what the student should be able to do at the end of the lesson, or demonstrate anticipated learning outcomes. Expectations on what the student is supposed to learn are developed by students based on the objectives.
- Stimulating Recall of Prior Learning: Stimulation of previous knowledge is needed. Sometimes it is just a quick review and other times a practice activity is needed.
- Presenting the Stimulus: This portion greatly depends on what is to be learned or the desired outcome. Distinctive features of the desired outcome should emphasize essential elements of whatever outcome is desired.
- Providing Learning Guidance: Guidance depends a lot on what the desired outcome is. This can be achieved by activities that promote information making its way into the long term memory. At this point, the learning conditions that match the desired outcome are used. How much learning guidance to provide is based on abilities of the learner, time available for instruction, and if there are multiple learning goals.
- Eliciting Performance: This particular event is where the learner is to confirm their learning. A performance is required to be produced and needs to be appropriate for what was learned.
- Providing Feedback: This is where the learner provides feedback on their own work. When something is incorrect, the feedback should help the learner correct what was wrong. For example, when getting a question wrong on a test the learner would go back to review the correct answer.
- Assessing Performance: A formal assessment of the new knowledge takes place to determine if the information has been well learned. This is typically where grades come from and is based on how the learner performs without guidance.
- Enhancing Retention and Transfer: Methods to enhance retention and transfer of information to long term memory are typically incorporated with earlier events. This can include periodically reviewing or testing information that has been presented along the way. Tactics for information retrieval are also included in this event.