Instructional theory is a discipline that focuses on how to structure material for promoting the education of humans, particularly youth. Originating in the United States in the late 1970s, instructional theory is typically divided into two categories: the cognitive and behaviorist schools of thought. Instructional theory was spawned off the 1956 work of Benjamin Bloom, a University of Chicago professor, and the results of his Taxonomy of Education Objectives — one of the first modern codifications of the learning process. One of the first instructional theorists was Robert M. Gagne, who in 1965 published Conditions of Learning for the Florida State University's Department of Educational Research. Benjamin Bloom (21 February 1913 - September 13, 1999) was an educational theorist and a teacher who developed a 6-level classification for intellectual development. ... There are three components in the taxonomy proposed by Benjamin Bloom: // Affective The way people react emotionally, their ability to feel another living things pain or joy. ... Robert M. Gagné (1916 - 2002) is best known for his Conditions of Learning. Gagné pioneered the science of instruction during WWII for the air force with pilot training. ... Robert M. Gagnes book Conditions of Learning, originally published in 1965 by Holt, Rinehart and Winston, describes eight kinds of learning and nine events of instruction. ...

Renowned psychologist B. F. Skinner's theories of behavior were highly influential on instructional theorists because their hypotheses can be tested fairly easily with the scientific process. It is more difficult to demonstrate cognitive learning results. Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed — first published in English in 1968 — had a broad influence over a generation of American educators with his critique of various "banking" models of education and analysis of the teacher-student relationship. Burrhus Frederic Skinner Burrhus Frederic Skinner (March 20, 1904 – August 18, 1990) was an American psychologist and author. ... The characterization phase can require extended and extensive study, even centuries. ... Paulo Freire (Recife, Brazil September 19, 1921 - São Paulo, Brazil May 2, 1997) was a Brazilian educator and influential theorist of education. ...

In the context of e-learning, a major discussion in instructional theory is the potential of learning objects to structure and deliver content. A stand-alone educational animation is an example of a learning object that can be re-used as the basis for different learning experiences. There are currently many groups trying to set standards for the development and implementation of learning objects. At the forefront of the standards groups is the Department of Defense's Advanced Distributed Learning initiative with its SCORM standards. SCORM stands for Shareable Content Object Reference Model. Typical Managed Learning Environment with a navigation menu and online community building tools. ... A learning object is a reusable unit of instruction for e-learning. ... Educational animations are animations produced for the specific purpose of fostering learning. ... A learning object is a reusable unit of instruction for e-learning. ... The United States Department of Defense, abbreviated DoD or DOD and sometimes called the Defense Department, is a civilian Cabinet organization of the United States government. ... ADLNet sets the standards for the SCORM External links Advanced Distributed Learning Categories: Standards | Standards stubs ... SCORMTM stands for Shareable Content Object Reference Model. ...

See also

• Learning theory
• Instructional design
• Instructional technology
• Educational technology

In education and psychology, learning theories help us understand the process of learning. ... Instructional design, also known as instructional systems design, is the analysis of learning needs and systematic development of instruction. ... // History of instructional technology Instructional technology was born as a military response to the problems of a labor shortage during WWII in the United States. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

External links

• Advanced Distributed Learning
• Department of Educational Research