Creating a learning experience is both art and science. One science-backed theory for to keep in your back pocket was developed by Robert Gagne.
Based on his research from the 1960’s (but still relevant today IMO), Gagne’s Nine Events of Instruction provide teachers, trainers, instructors, and instructional designers with a framework to create efficient and effective learning experiences.
The theory isn’t limited to academics only —it’s a process that can be applied to internal L&D, customer training, and even personal hobbies.
Each step in Gagne’s process provides a communication strategy that is intended to further deepen the human learning process. As each step is completed, learners are meant to become interested, engaged, and invested in the learning topic.
Having used this approach in my own content creation and corporate work, I’ve found that the nine steps offer a solid roadmap for engaging learners and helping them retain information.
I’ve also found that Gagne’s model transcends the boundaries of traditional education and leans heavily into the realm of marketing—a function where gaining attention is a main attribute.
Whether you’re designing learning content or crafting marketing materials, Gagne’s underlying principles can help guide the success of your content design.
We suggest printing out the guidelines and using them as a checklist as you design your learning experience. The checklist certainly helps you stay on track, making sure your developed learning output is engaging, memorable, and effective.
How to use the guidelines:
Gagne’s steps are meant to be used in sequential order – starting with the first step and moving through all nine, in order.
Tbh though, I’ve found it most helpful to use the nine events as a broad set of guidelines and strategies you can apply to any part of your learning design process. Don’t get stuck forcing this into a linear process!
According to the original theory though, the idea is that learners should become more engaged and invested in the subject matter as you move through the process. Let’s get started!
1. Gain your learner’s attention
The very first step in Gagne’s model? Get your learner’s attention—and hold it.
This step supports growing convergence between learning and marketing content. Whether you’re building learning or marketing content, you’ve got to captivate your audience.
The goal is to capture attention right off the bat, whether with an engaging story, a fun video, or a controversial statement.
You need to get creative and meet your audience where they are, finding what resonates most with them. Some prefer ice breakers, others like humor or a powerful challenge.
The key is to think like a marketer and make sure the start of your learning experience speaks directly to what your learners care about.
Tips for gaining learner attention:
- Play a humorous video clip
- Ask a thought-provoking question
- Tell an emotional story
- Share surprising statistics or facts
- Poll the audience
- Present a challenge
- Play a game
- Have learners ask questions
- Do an ice-breaker activity
- Have a controversial discussion
2. Inform learners of the objectives
Once your learners are paying attention, they need to know what to expect from the learning experience. Providing expectations for what is coming from the experience will learn helps put your audience in a learning mindset.
I’ve heard this guideline be heavily debated though. Some video creators argue that showing objectives up front can disrupt the flow and be a distraction.
I completely disagree. Setting expectations is crucia. It’s like giving someone a map before sending them on a journey. It prepares them for the journey ahead. They know exactly where they are going.
That said, I often find that traditional learning objectives are written in jargon-heavy, academic language that doesn’t connect with everyday learners.
Keep it simple. A second-grader should be able to understand your objectives. And you don’t have to be formal about it—just tell your learners, “By the end of this, you’ll know how to do X, Y, and Z.”
Tips for stating objectives:
- Create an objective visual
- Explain what the audience will learn and why it is important
- Describe the goals and outcomes of the learning experience
- Explain how this information will benefit the learners
3. Stimulate recall of prior learning
Stimulating recall is a powerful way to build upon your learners’ existing knowledge.
Pre-tests or questions early on in the session can help get the neural gears turning. I’ve found that by introducing a quiz or challenge before diving into the new material, learners not only engage more but also receive instant feedback on where they stand.
This is particularly valuable because it highlights what learners don’t know—providing a clear roadmap of what they need to focus on.
If you combine this with AI, you could potentially offer learners a customized study guide based on their weaknesses—an approach that personalizes learning at scale.
Tips for stimulating recall:
- Ask questions from the last lesson
- Conduct pop quizzes
- Post discussion board questions related to prior knowledge
- Perform pre-tests to understand what the audience already knows
- Create lesson plans that build upon each other
4. Present the learning content
Now that you’ve engaged your audience’s minds, it’s time to deliver the content.
This is where your delivery method matters. Whether it’s an instructor-led session or eLearning, structure is key. Break the content down into smaller, digestible chunks and incorporate multimedia elements like videos, images, or infographics to make the content stick.
Think of it as guiding your learners through a story—well-organized, visually engaging content ensures they stay connected and process the information more deeply.
Tips for presenting the learning content:
- Assign books/articles
- Watch videos
- Perform lectures
- Require writing (or notes)
- Assign activities and projects
- Post homework assignments
5. Provide guidance for learning
Everyone learns differently, so be flexible. It’s not just about giving instructions but about providing choices for how different learners engage with the material.
Some learners may prefer hands-on activities, while others might gain more through videos or reading.
In my experience, offering several ways to navigate the material—through examples, supplementary reading, or optional videos—lets learners find what works best for them. Flexibility is key to making sure everyone can succeed.
Tips for providing learning guidance:
- Provide expectations as needed
- Write clear and concise instructions
- Provide an accessible ‘next’ button for online learning experiences
- Include tips on how best to navigate the course
6. Elicit performance (allow time for practice)
After the content is presented, it’s critical to give learners time to practice. One of my favorite ways to engage learners is through knowledge checks or real-world scenarios.
This not only reinforces what they’ve just learned but allows them to immediately apply their new skills in a low-stakes environment.
Whether it’s through simulations, projects, or discussions, the key here is repetition. Let them make mistakes, provide feedback, and give them a chance to try again.
Tips for eliciting performance:
- Knowledge checks, quizzes, and tests
- eLearning branching scenarios
- Activities, projects, and writing assignments
- Role-playing situations
- Group discussions and sharing
7. Provide timely feedback
Personalized feedback is crucial for learning.
Learners need to know what they’re doing right and what they need to improve on. For instructor-led settings, this might mean verbal or written feedback. In an eLearning scenario, this could be as simple as a detailed rubric that learners can reference as they complete activities.
The faster and more targeted the feedback, the more likely the learning will stick.
Tips for providing feedback:
- Personalized written feedback on assignments and projects
- Detailed rubrics outlining both positive and negative feedback
- Use peer-evaluation assessments
8. Assess Performance
Assessments aren’t just about quizzes—they’re about recall.
Every time your learners try to remember something, they strengthen those neural connections. Assessments provide valuable feedback to both the learner and the designer, helping you see what’s working and what isn’t.
Regular knowledge checks or mini assessments throughout a course give learners a clear picture of their progress and show you where to make adjustments.
Tips for assessing performance:
- Include pop quizzes
- Use written exams
- Assess often throughout the course
9. Enhance retention and transfer
At the end of your instruction, learners need to be able to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.
This step is arguably the most difficult of all of Gagne’s events. Make sure you spend plenty of time allowing learners to practice themselves, ideally in real-world scenarios.
Tips for enhancing retention:
- Use real-world scenarios
- Build in time for real-world practice
- Interactive eLearning activities
- Allow for flexible learning opportunities (such as mobile access)
- Continually use examples of real-world situations
Final Thoughts
Gagne’s Nine Events of Instruction provide a great roadmap for any learning experience, whether it’s in a corporate setting, customer training, or personal growth.
While it’s a useful guide, don’t feel like you need to hit every step in a rigid, sequential manner. Corporate cultures vary, and sometimes there’s limited appetite for icebreakers or other attention-grabbing activities.
Instead, use these steps flexibly—adapt them to suit your company’s goals and your audience’s preferences.
Above all, keep the learner’s experience in mind, and don’t be afraid to bring a marketing mindset to your learning content. In today’s fast-paced business world, gaining attention and creating engagement are key to making your learning efforts stick.
About the Author:
Andrew DeBell is a learning experience strategist and content developer on the customer education team at Atlassian. Connect with him on LinkedIn for more.
