Research Guides: Essential Learning Theories & Frameworks in IDT: Elaboration Theory

Elaboration Theory

Developed by Charles Reigeluth, it is classified as an instructional design theory focused on organizing instructional content in a way that progresses from simple to complex, ensuring that learners build on their knowledge incrementally.

Elaboration Theory: Resources

English, R. E., & Reigeluth, C. M. (1996). Formative research on sequencing instruction with the elaboration theory. Educational Technology Research and Development, 44(1), 23–42. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02300324

Merrill, M. D., Kelety J. C., & WILSON, B. (1981). Elaboration theory and cognitive psychology. Instructional Science, 10(3), 217–235. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00139800

Reigeluth, C. M. (1979). In search of a better way to organize instruction: The elaboration theory. Journal of Instructional Development, 2(3), 8–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02984374

Reigeluth, C. M. (1987). Instructional theories in action: Lessons illustrating selected theories and models (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203056783

Reigeluth, C. M. (1987). Lesson blueprints based on the elaboration theory of instruction. In Instructional Theories in Action (1st ed., pp. 245–288). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203056783-8

Reigeluth, C. M. (1992). Elaborating the elaboration theory. Educational Technology Research and Development, 40(3), 80–86. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02296844

The above article is a commentary published in response to:

Wilson, B., & Cole, P. (1992). A critical review of elaboration theory. Educational Technology Research and Development, 40(3), 63–79. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02296843

Reigeluth, C. M., & Darwazeh, A. (1982). The elaboration theory’s procedure for designing instruction: A conceptual approach. Journal of Instructional Development, 5(3), 22–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02905492

REIGELUTH, C. M., MERRILL, M. D., WILSON, B. G., & SPILLER, R. T. (1980). The elaboration theory of instruction: A model for sequencing and synthesizing instruction. Instructional Science, 9(3), 195–219. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00177327

Çakıroğlu, Ü., & Öztürk, M. (2018). Evaluating an online programming instructional process organized through elaboration theory. International Journal of Web-Based Learning and Teaching Technologies, 13(4), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJWLTT.2018100101

Kirschner, P. A., & Hendrick, C. (2024). Zooming out to zoom in: Elaboration theory of instruction. In How Learning Happens (2nd ed., pp. 221–230). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003395713-26