SEQUENCING

Organizing contentsGagne

Posner & StrikeReigeluth

THANK YOU

Film making vs. learningEd Wood (directing, observed by the film’s financial backer): "Cut! Print! That

was perfect!"Backer: "Perfect? Mr. Wood, don't you know anything about the art of film production?"Ed Wood: "Well, I like to think so!"Backer: "That cardboard headstone fell over … this graveyard is obviously phony!"Ed Wood: "No one will ever notice! Filmmaking is not about the little details. It's all about the big picture!"Backer: "The big picture? Then how come a few minutes ago this scene was set in the daytime but now it's suddenly night?"Ed Wood: "What do you know? Haven't you ever heard of suspension of disbelief?"

Unlike Ed Wood's movies, learning often needs to be performed in certain sequences so that the learner does not become utterly confused.

Key Terms

• Sequence. A process of how to group and order the content. Orders in which learners are introduced to information and tasks essential to job performance.

• Rules for sequencing instruction provide guidance for instructional designs.

• Sequencing strategies.

Importance of Sequencing

• To ensure effective learning/instruction

• Learners should be introduced to work activities systematically

HOW?

• A proper sequence provides the learners with a pattern of relationship so that each activity will have a definite purpose. The more meaningful the content, the easier it is to learn and, consequently, the more effective the instruction.

HOW?

• Proper sequencing also helps to avoid inconsistencies in the content of the instruction. When material is carefully sequenced, duplication is far less likely.

THEORY

• Elaboration Theory (English & Reigeluth): Macro theory of design; Based on a holistic alternative to the part/whole sequencing. Relevant for complex tasks

• Gagne-Briggs Theory: Applicable to cognitive, behavioral, and attitudinal learning. Provides set of procedures to follow for each instructional events

POSNER & STRIKE APPROACH

Learning-related sequencingPhenomenon Prescription

Identifiable prerequisite

Teach a skill required to perform another skill firstTeach addition of whole numbers before teaching addition of fraction

Familiarity Begin with the most familiar information and then progress to the most unknown

Difficulty Teach the less difficult before the more difficult

Interest Begin with topics or tasks that will create the most learner interest

Development Ensure that the learner has reached the appropriate developmental level before teaching a task or topic

World-related sequencingPhenomenon PrincipleSpatial Left to right, top to bottom, north to southTemporal Historical; first, second, third; fast to slow;

ChronologicalPhysical Roundness, hardness, large to small, colour

Class relations: Teach characteristics of a class before teaching members of the class.

Propositional relations: Provide examples first.Sophistication: Begin with concrete/simple and

then proceed to abstract or complexLogical prerequisite: Teach the logical concepts

first.

Elaboration Theory

Approaches to Sequencing

• Chronological sequencing (job performance order)• Topical sequencing• Whole-to-part sequencing• Part-to-whole sequencing• Known-to-unknown• Step-by-step• Part-to-part-to-part• General to specific

Step-by-step sequencing