Robert M. Gagne

Robert Mills Gagne was an American educational psychologist, born in 1916 and died in 2002, whose research shaped the field of instructional design. He argued that distinct types of learning exist, from simple recall to complex problem solving, and that each type calls for different instructional conditions to bring it about effectively. His book The Conditions of Learning set out a systematic approach to designing instruction across these varied domains, and his widely used Nine Events of Instruction offered teachers a sequential model covering gaining a learner's attention, stating objectives, recalling prior knowledge, presenting new material, guiding practice, prompting performance, giving feedback, assessing understanding and supporting retention. This framework became a standard reference for instructional designers and teacher educators and continues to inform how lessons and training programs are structured.