There are many types of instructional models. Some are used to design courses, others are used to design lessons and curriculum, yet all can be used by you, the teacher. Although there are many instructional design models to choose from, the ADDIE instructional model is one of the most popular. In the ADDIE model, you’ll analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate the teaching and learning happening in your classroom. It’s used to design courses, whether online or in person, but there are many ways the ADDIE instructional model can be used in.
In this blog post, and on episode 230 of The Elementary Music Teacher podcast, I’ll explain not only what the ADDIE model is, but you can use it to design instruction for your students. Oh yeah, and make sure to sign up to attend the “How to Design Curriculum for your Elementary Music Classroom” workshop that’s coming up soon.
Analyze
Before you can create a course, unit, or even a lesson, you need to analyze the needs of your students. In order to effectively plan, it’s important to look at the bigger picture and to really think about what your students know, where you want them to go, and what you need to create to help them get there. You also need to analyze where you teach, the classroom you teach in, and what materials and resources are available to you. While considering the needs of your students, you need to consider their ages and what they learned in the music room in previous grade levels. During the analyze phase of the ADDIE instructional model, it’s important to remember you’re not just focusing on short term, but also long term lesson planning. Basically, you’re looking at the entire map and not just a city or state (as an example).
Design
During the design phase of the ADDIE instructional model is when you’ll actually begin lesson planning. You’ve thought about the needs of the learners and where you want them to go, and now you’re going to start designing the learning opportunities. The design phase considers the learning objectives, the content you’ll be teaching, and assessment that you’ll create. You’re not creating quite yet, but are thinking through the how behind lesson planning. While designing instruction, you will be doing some analysis that will include any types of media you want to include, the resources you’ll pull from, materials you might need, and how much time you’ll want to spend on various activities and songs.
Develop
When you’ve reached the develop phase, you’re ready to begin looking at the data you’ve received from the analysis and design phases and putting the wheels into motion. You’re not planning or brainstorming anymore, but are developing your plan. The design and develop plans go together like peanut butter and jelly. There is a lot of overlap within these two phases, so don’t spend too much time worrying about what phase you’re on and just keep moving forward.
Implement
You’ve reached the implement phase of the ADDIE instructional model when you’ve taught the content and lessons you’ve designed and developed. You’re seeing if any modifications need to be made to your plan and are making notes accordingly. If you decided to spend two weeks on a certain concept, but you can tell your students need more time, you’re marking this down. Data, data, and more data is happening in the implement phase. The more data you gather, the better. You’re gathering data from assessments, student readiness, lesson modifications that need to take place, updates to your curriculum map, scope and sequence, or units of instruction, and more.
Evaluate
During the evaluate phase of the ADDIE instructional model, you’re seeing if the goals you set forth in the analyze phase have been met. Of course you’re keeping track of assessments in the implement phase, but you’ll be compiling even more data in the evaluate phase. This is where you’ll do both formative and summative assessments, both with your students, for yourself, and for the content you’ve created. Design rubrics for students to participate in self assessment and for you to evaluate your students. Take the time to really think through what worked in your instructional design and what could improve moving forward.
Have you used the ADDIE instructional model in your classroom or to design a course? Tell me about it in the comments below or share your thoughts on social media as you share this post. I’d love for you to share this post or any of the resources on my website with a friend or colleague who you know NEEDS to see it too.
P.S. Are you feeling frustrated or stuck as an elementary music teacher? Check out these free resources to help you teach elementary music with confidence!
Also…I wrote a book called “Make A Note: What You Really Need To Know About Teaching Elementary Music” to help music teachers move forward in your teaching career. You can get your copy here.
