In 1965, Robert Gagné proposed a series of events that are associated with and address the
mental conditions for learning as follows.
1. Gain attention of the students
Make sure that the learners are attentive to the lesson by grabbing their attention with
brainstorming questions or ice-breaking activity.
2. Inform students of the objectives
Let the students know what they should be able to do at the end of the lesson. Also explain about
the criteria or rubrics to gain the best scores.
3. Stimulate recall of prior learning
Create a link between their previous knowledge and the lesson that will be taught by asking
eliciting questions about their past experience.
4. Present the content
Provide information regarding the lesson, along with video, references, and group activity.
5. Provide learning guidance
Help students with learning strategies in order for understanding the content, and give them
references for further research.
6. Elicit performance (practice)
Give students tasks where students can apply what they have learnt which is related to real life
situations.
7. Provide feedback Give constructive feedback to students for further improvement. When giving feedback, provide
information why you give this feedback, and strategies to overcome challenges.
8. Assess performance
Test students to find out if they have gained the outcomes.
Gagne’s nine events and consideration whether it best relates to a philosophy from the
behaviorist approach or the cognitive approach
I have divided Gagne’s nine events into two categories based on the philosophy. Behaviorism or
the behavioral learning theory is a popular concept that focuses on how students learn (W. G. U.,
2020) Cognition refers to mental activity including thinking, remembering, learning and using
language. When we apply a cognitive approach to learning and teaching, we focus on the
understanding of information and concepts. If we are able to understand the connections between
concepts, break down information and rebuild with logical connections, then our retention of
material and understanding will increase. Cognitive learning is a style of learning that focuses on
more effective use of the brain (Herrity, 2022).
Behavourial approach Cognitive approach
Gain attention of the students Inform students of the objectives
Stimulate recall of prior learning Present the content (teacher’s presentation)
Elicit performance (practice) Provide learning guidance
Present the content (students activities) Provide feedback
Assess performance
Strategies for the nine events in my teaching practice
Gagne’s nine events are in fact all the steps that teachers proceed when teaching a lesson topic.
When teachers are making lesson plans, they have to follow these steps to make sure that the
students have achieved the outcomes.
Gagne’s nine events Strategies
1. Gain attention of the students Ice breaking activity - students are asked to tell two truths and one lie, others pick out what are truths and what is the lie
2. Inform students of the objectives Teacher writes down the lesson outcomes on the whiteboard. By the end of the lesson, you are able to …
3. Stimulate recall of prior learning Ask students about their past experience, knowledge related to the lesson topic. For example, if the topic is adaptation, ask them “Why do you think fish have fins/gills?” “How are spines in cactus useful for the cactus?”
4. Present the content Give information about the lesson topic.
Provide videos, pictures for more understanding. Give students some problems, ask them find the solution in groups.
5. Provide learning guidance Give students references. Book
recommendations, websites, and videos related to the lesson topic.
6. Elicit performance (practice) Ask students questions related to the lesson
topic. Divide students into groups. Ask them to create a poster related to the lesson topic. 7. Provide feedback Teacher gives constructive feedback on students’ performance. Students do reflection on their own work, find out what they did well and what they didn’t do well and why?
