Robert M. Gagné

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Robert Mills Gagné (August 21, 1916April 28, 2002) was an American educational psychologist best known for his "Conditions of Learning". Gagné pioneered the science of instruction during WWII for the air force with pilot training. Later he went on to develop a series of studies and works that helped codify what is now considered to be 'good instruction.' He also was involved in applying concepts of instructional theory to the design of computer based training and multimedia based learning.

A major contribution to the theory of instruction was the model "Nine Events of Instruction".

  • Gain attention
  • Inform learner of objectives
  • Stimulate recall of prior learning
  • Present stimulus material
  • Provide learner guidance
  • Elicit performance
  • Provide feedback
  • Assess performance
  • Enhance retention transfer

Gagné's work is sometimes summarized as the Gagné Assumption. The assumption is that different types of learning exist, and that different instructional conditions are most likely to bring about these different types of learning.

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Preceded by
Roald Campbell
President of the

American Educational Research Association
1970-1971

Succeeded by
Robert Glaser