Advantages

Page history last edited by Eddie Mathews 15 years, 6 months ago

Like all models, the Bergman and Moore instructional design model has strengths and weaknesses. This is mainly evident when considered for specific projects (meaning strengths and weaknesses will vary from project to project). Since an ISD model will be central to guiding a project from start to finish, it is strongly recommended that designers understand the general advantages of using this particular model in the very beginning of their project formation.

Advantages of the Bergman and Moore ISD model include:

1. Great for instructional products that are technical in nature. This instructional model lends itself to the technical nature of instructional product production. Bergman and Moore specifically wrote their book Managing Interactive Video/Multimedia Projects (1990) with technology and multimedia projects in mind.

2. Ideal for corporate, business and educational software environments. This instructional model is ideal for software being developed in corporate, business or educational settings. The steps illustrated in the model gives creators a chain of steps that work seamlessly together and creates all documentation of technical work that is completed. The model is a clear and concise method of direction for software projects.

3. Emphasizes tryout and revision phases. Bergman and Moore were careful to create a model that emphasized tryout and revision phases so that the deliverable that is produced is a superior and tested one. Each one of the 6 phases has an evaluation step. This step is created so that if the product is not at a desirable level, then the creator can go back a step to recreate the deliverable and then evaluate it once again.

4. Easy to follow step-by-step. The Bergman and Moore Instructional Design Model is divided into 6 Main Phases comprised of 4 steps each. The main phases are: Analysis, Design, Develop, Produce, Author and Validate. Each phase has the four steps of Input, Activities, Deliverables and Evaluation. Please refer to the illustration below.

Illustration of Bergman and Moore Design Model

5. Offers checks and balances between steps. One of the main advantages of this instructional model is that there is a system of checks and balances between each step. Each step is well documented and has several checklists for creators to utilize for reviewing their work and completion of the step. If a creator follows the Bergman and Moore instruction design model step by step, s/he will have an efficient way to manage their work their checks and balances.

6. Creates a “paper trail” or record of creation. Bergman and Moore describe their model as having a “mass of documentation.” In this aspect, they describe their model more than accurately. For each step in the model, there is a form of documentation creating a vast paper trail that is important for any design project. This record of creation includes checklists, flowcharts, story boards, graphs and more.

7. Documented steps are easy to replicate. With so much documentation per step, the Bergman and Moore Instructional Design Model assists in making a record of creation that allows others to reproduce the same project or project type over and over again. The multiple checklists, notes and evaluation forms are perfect for use in replication.