ADDIE Model: Here to Stay?
ADDIE is arguably the most common model that instructional designers use today. But is it really an effective model to use?
It all started with the US Army. Back in the early 1970’s they needed to have a better Instructional Systems Design (ISD) process to help manage and control the cost of training.
Mission accomplished in 1975. A new method, ADDIC, first appeared in a report prepared under contract between the US Army and the Center for Educational Technology at Florida State University. ADDIC stood for Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Control. It was quickly adapted by all branches of the US military as the standard procedure for ISD.
ADDIC then evolved over the next twenty years. The first reported use of ADDIE as an acronym was in 1995. It stands for Analyze, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation.
Fast forward to today. While it is still a widely used model for instructional design, it shouldn’t be used as the only tool in the toolbox. This is because we can easily make the ADDIE model as a time-consuming and linear process. Time is no longer a luxury in today’s economy.
So what should you do? Here is a tip. Treat ADDIE as a high-level process if you wish, but use other tools in your toolbox that puts more focus on how adults learn best. This is where instructional designers often miss the mark.