Research on instructional design in the health sciences: From taxonomies of learning to whole-task models

This chapter discusses research themes that are pertinent to the field of instructional design. It first briefly talks about the ADDIE model that characterizes the main phases in instructional design: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation. Next, for the analysis phase, the chapter explains how research is moving away from taxonomies of learning towards cognitive task analysis. For the design and development phases, the main research themes for the specification of 'whole' learning tasks and the use of media are described. For the implementation and evaluation phases, research on how whole-task models affect the preparation of stakeholders and the quality culture in educational organizations is discussed. The four-component instructional design (4C/ID) is a popular whole-task model, claiming that educational programmes that support the acquisition of complex skills or professional competencies can always be constructed from four components: learning tasks, supportive information, procedural information and part-task practice.