Instructional Design Models are frameworks essential to designing and developing learning materials.There are many models to choose from, but each provides a way to structure the material and break it down into steps to ensure quality instruction. Some of the most popular models are ADDIE, SAM, and Merrill. While these frameworks all provide a guide for instructional designers to create learning materials, each one has a different approach.
The Merrill model looks at the problem head on by focusing on the bigger picture while the ADDIE model operates more as a checklist starting from step one and not moving on until each step is completed. Then there is the SAM model, which uses iteration as its main focus. Like the ADDIE model, SAM starts at square one but re-evaluates every action to constantly improve the material in baby steps as it progresses instead of giant leaps before evaluating as the ADDIE model shows. A downside to SAM is that it could be time consuming but positively a safer bet in the long run. The Merrill model, on the other hand, seems to move at a consistent pace with the end goals in mind as you work through each step of the process but again only re-evaluating learning performance in the last step. Although the Merrill model is well researched and the ADDIE model is most widely used, my preference would be the SAM model because of its use of iteration throughout the learning process. Wooll (2022) says, "Learning from those failures is often the key to success. By getting things wrong, you’ll improve your skills and grow in various ways."
