Editing Robert M. Gagné (section)

== Influence ==

Robert Gagné's work has been the foundation of instructional design since the beginning of the 1960s when he conducted research and developed training materials for the military.   Among the first to coin the term "instructional design", Gagné developed some of the earliest instructional design models and ideas.  These models have laid the groundwork for more present-day instructional design models from theorists like Dick, Carey, and Carey (The Dick and Carey Systems Approach Model),<ref>Dick, W., & Carey, L. (1996). The systematic design of instruction. 4th ed. New York, NY: Harper Collins</ref> Jerold Kemp's Instructional Design Model,<ref name="instructional.com">Instructional Design Models and Theories, Retrieved April 9th 2012 from http://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/htm/IDC_instructionaldesignmodels.htm#kemp {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620031245/http://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/htm/IDC_instructionaldesignmodels.htm |date=2012-06-20 }}</ref> and David Merrill (Merrill's First Principle of Instruction).<ref name="instructional.com"/>  Each of these models are based on a core set of learning phases that include (1) activation of prior experience, (2) demonstration of skills, (3) application of skills, and (4) integration or these skills into real world activities.

Gagné's main focus for instructional design was how instruction and learning could be systematically connected to the design of instruction.  He emphasized the design principles and procedures that need to take place for effective teaching and learning.  His initial ideas, along with the ideas of other early instructional designers were outlined in ''Psychological Principles in Systematic Development'', written by Roberts B. Miller and edited by Gagné.<ref>Psychological Principles in System Development-1962. Retrieved on April 15, 2012 from {{cite web |url=http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/history_isd/gagne.html |title=Psychological Principles in System Development |access-date=2012-04-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426035003/http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/history_isd/gagne.html |archive-date=2012-04-26 }}</ref>  Gagné believed in internal learning and motivation which paved the way for theorists like Merrill, Li, and Jones who designed the Instructional Transaction Theory,<ref>Merrill, D.M., Jones, M.K., & Chongqing, L. (December 1990). Instructional Transaction Theory. Retrieved from {{cite web |url=http://www.speakeasydesigns.com/SDSU/student/SAGE/compsprep/ITT_Intro.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-04-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124020541/http://www.speakeasydesigns.com/SDSU/student/SAGE/compsprep/ITT_Intro.pdf |archive-date=2012-11-24 }}</ref> Reigeluth and Stein's Elaboration Theory,<ref>Elaboration Theory (Charles Reigeluth), Retrieved April 9, 2012 from {{cite web |url=http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/elaboration-theory.html |title=Elaboration Theory (Charlie Reigeluth) |access-date=2012-04-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426125200/http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/elaboration-theory.html |archive-date=2012-04-26 }}</ref> and most notably, Keller's [[Instructional design#The ARCS Model of Motivational Design|ARCS Model of Motivation and Design]].

Prior to Robert Gagné, learning was often thought of as a single, uniform process.<ref name="internettime.com">Wiburg, K. M. (2003). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.internettime.com/itimegroup/Is it Time to Exchange Skinner's Teaching Machine for Dewey's.htm</ref>  There was little or no distinction made between "learning to load a rifle and learning to solve a complex mathematical problem".<ref name="internettime.com"/>   Gagné  offered an alternative view which developed the idea that different learners required different learning strategies.<ref name="internettime.com"/>  Understanding and designing instruction based on a learning style defined by the individual brought about new theories and approaches to teaching.<ref name="internettime.com"/>
Gagné 's understanding and theories of human learning added significantly to understanding the stages in cognitive processing and instructions.<ref name="internettime.com"/>  For example, Gagné  argued that instructional designers must understand the characteristics and functions of short-term and long-term memory to facilitate meaningful learning.<ref name="internettime.com"/> This idea encouraged instructional designers to include cognitive needs as a top-down instructional approach.<ref name="internettime.com"/>

Gagné (1966) defines curriculum as a sequence of content units arranged in such a way that the learning of each unit may be accomplished as a single act, provided the capabilities described by specified prior units (in the sequence) have already been mastered by the learner.<ref name="Richey, R. C. 2000">[[Rita Richey|Richey, R. C.]] (2000). The legacy of Robert M.Gagné . Syracuse, NY: ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology.</ref>

His definition of curriculum has been the basis of many important initiatives in schools and other educational environments.<ref name="Richey, R. C. 2000"/>  In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Gagné  had expressed and established an interest in applying theory to practice with particular interest in applications for teaching, training and learning.  Increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of practice was of particular concern.<ref name="Richey, R. C. 2000"/>  His ongoing attention to practice while developing theory continues to influence education and training.<ref name="Richey, R. C. 2000"/>

Gagné's work has had a significant influence on American education, and military and industrial training.<ref name="answers.com">Gagné, R.M. (n.d.). Biographies. Retrieved April 18, 2012, from Answers.com Web site: {{cite web |url=http://www.answers.com/topic/robert-mills-gagn |title=Answers - the Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions |website=[[Answers.com]] |access-date=2012-04-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122052956/http://www.answers.com/topic/robert-mills-gagn |archive-date=2012-11-22 }}</ref> Gagné was one of the early developers of the concept of instructional systems design which suggests the components of a lesson can be analyzed and should be designed to operate together as an integrated plan for instruction.<ref name="answers.com"/> In "Educational Technology and the Learning Process" (Educational Researcher, 1974), Gagné defined instruction as "the set of planned external events which influence the process of learning and thus promote learning".<ref name="answers.com"/>