ADDIE

ADDIE Model Overview

ADDIE is a design model that systematically guides instructional designers through the process of creating effective learning opportunities. ADDIE is an acronym for Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The model is meant to be carried out in the order of the acronym. 

• • Analysis: This phase is where the instructional designer identifies and understands the instructional gap, learning, or performance problem. An instructional designer must conduct a needs assessment to gather data about learners, understand their current knowledge and skills, and the context in which learning will occur. This is like a teacher giving a pre-test to understand what students already know and are able to do. By conducting a needs analysis, the instructional designer may be able to better define clear learning objectives.

  • Design: In the Design phase, instructional designers create a detailed plan for the learning experience. This includes writing specific learning objectives, deciding what content should be created to meet those objectives, determining the best instructional strategies for the content, and determining the overall structure and content of the course or training program.

  • Development: This phase involves creating the actual learning materials. Materials might be in a variety of formats such as e-learning modules, textbooks, videos, games, or interactive tasks (drag and drop, sorts, hot spots, etc.) and simulations. Collaboration between subject matter experts, instructional designers, and multimedia developers is imperative. The instructional designer also must insure that the content aligns with the learning objectives and engages the target audience effectively.

  • Implementation: During this phase, the instruction is delivered to learners. Formats for delivery might be training in a classroom setting, through an online learning platform, or using blended learning environments. Implementation also includes providing training and support to instructors or facilitators who will deliver the content.

  • Evaluation: TIn this last phase, the intent is to assess the effectiveness of the instructional materials and the learning experience. The instructional designer must gather feedback from learners, measure their performance against the established objectives, and conduct a thorough review of the entire process. Evaluation helps identify areas for improvement. and provide a basis for refining the learning materials and making data-driven decisions for future iterations.

Implications of the ADDIE Model 

The ADDIE model has become important to instructional design with regard to the rise of online and blended learning. It guides instructional designers to create engaging and effective digital courses and materials. The model prompts instructional designers to ensure that the online environment is well-structured, accessible, and aligned with learning objectives. Evaluation allows designers and facilitators to gather data on student progress and make data-driven decisions to enhance online learning experiences.

ADDIE is also used to design effective and engaging professional development courses. ADDIE helps to determine skill deficiencies in a work environment, customize training programs, create learning materials that meet objectives, and implementing training sessions. Continuous evaluation helps organizations track progress and adapt professional development strategies. It is systematic and comprehensive. 

Opinions on the strengths and limitations of the ADDIE Model in designing adult learning. 

I have used ADDIE to design On Demand courses and it provides a nice, systematic framework for ensuring that comprehensive objectives are determined and learning materials are designed specifically to meet those objectives. The framework also provides for assessing needs before the content is created and gathering feedback after the instruction is complete to determine next steps. Most Learning Management Systems gather fairly robust data or have the capabilities to do so which takes some of the load off the instructional designer to gather the data. The instructional designer needs to analyze the data and determine how to apply it in the future. 

The downside to the ADDIE model, in my experience, is that is can be quite time consuming. With the rise of good AI, some phases of models can progress faster (such as content development) but the process is still time consuming. Also, in my organization, the instructional designer is not the one to gather data from a needs analysis. Program managers typically do this phase and pass along the results of the data analysis to the instructional designers along with recommendations for what to design. This has resulted in gaps between the instruction and the needs of learners.  While this is an organizational problem and not a problem with ADDIE, per se, it does bring up the issue of who should be doing the instructional analysis for instructional designers to best understand the needs of the learners.