CAE Curriculum Development & Instructional Design 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction, 'providing learning guidance' is intended to:
- Test whether learners have met objectives
- Help learners encode information into long-term memory (Correct answer)
- Capture learner attention at the start of a lesson
- Elicit performance through practice activities
Correct answer: Help learners encode information into long-term memory
Providing learning guidance offers strategies, examples, and scaffolding to help learners store new information effectively in long-term memory.
Question 2: Which principle of adult learning theory (andragogy) states that adults are self-directed in their learning?
- Readiness
- Autonomy
- Self-concept (Correct answer)
- Experiential learning
Correct answer: Self-concept
Knowles' self-concept principle holds that as people mature, they move from dependency toward self-directedness in their learning.
Question 3: A task analysis in instructional design is used to:
- Assess learner satisfaction with an instructor
- Break down a complex skill into its component steps or knowledge elements (Correct answer)
- Identify available budget for training development
- Rank learners by performance outcomes
Correct answer: Break down a complex skill into its component steps or knowledge elements
Task analysis systematically identifies and sequences the sub-tasks, knowledge, and skills required to perform a job or complete a complex task.
Question 4: Criterion-referenced assessment measures learner performance against:
- The average score of all learners in a group
- A predetermined standard or set of objectives (Correct answer)
- The instructor's subjective judgment
- National normative data
Correct answer: A predetermined standard or set of objectives
Criterion-referenced assessments evaluate whether learners have met specific predetermined standards, independent of how peers perform.
Question 5: Which instructional strategy is MOST aligned with constructivist learning theory?
- Lecture with detailed note-taking
- Drill and practice with immediate feedback
- Problem-based learning with real-world scenarios (Correct answer)
- Programmed instruction with branching frames
Correct answer: Problem-based learning with real-world scenarios
Constructivism holds that learners build knowledge through experience; problem-based learning engages learners in constructing understanding through authentic problems.
Question 6: When writing learning objectives for adults, the ABCD model includes all of the following EXCEPT:
- Audience
- Behavior
- Condition
- Delivery method (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Delivery method
ABCD stands for Audience, Behavior, Condition, and Degree — delivery method is not one of the four components.
Question 7: Scaffolding in instructional design refers to:
- Building physical structures for hands-on labs
- Temporary support provided to learners that is gradually withdrawn as competence grows (Correct answer)
- Creating a detailed course outline before development
- Grouping learners by skill level for differentiated instruction
Correct answer: Temporary support provided to learners that is gradually withdrawn as competence grows
Scaffolding provides structured support (hints, worked examples, prompts) that is progressively removed as the learner becomes more capable.
CAE Curriculum Development & Instructional Design 3
In Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction, 'providing learning guidance' is intended to: