Elaboration Theory

                                                    
Charles Reigeluth's Elaboration Theory falls under the cognitivism approach in Psychology. Through cognitivism, lessons are structured to maintain attention and increase engagement in students. Moreover, this approach utilizes aids, such as advance organizers, to link new content to previous learning.  Simply, cognitivism works for students who have prior knowledge of the concept and helps move information from short term to long term memory.

The Elaboration Theory is an instructional design model which aims to help sequence content in a way that will optimize learning (Elaboration Theory, 2016). Furthermore, this theory argues that content should be organized from simple to complex order to achieve best results (Elaboration Theory, 2016). Consequently, educators refer back to previous content and then add on from there, slowly adding complexity. Ultimately, the belief behind this theory is that it helps build cognitive structures. Thus, leading to better retention and transfer of content.

Furthermore, Elaboration theory proposes seven major strategy components: (1) an elaborative sequence, (2) learning prerequisite sequences, (3) summary, (4) synthesis, (5) analogies, (6) cognitive strategies, and (7) learner control (Elaboration Theory, 2016). The most important component is the first one, elaborative sequence because it refers to the order the content is presented, this is emphasized to be simple to complex material.

Example

                                                      
The teacher's purpose for this lesson is to ensure students have the right skills and knowledge to solve multi-step equations.
To begin, students start by practicing adding, subtracting, dividing, multiplying (A quick game of Kahoot for students to review).
Next, students begin their Algebra lesson by reviewing how solving one-step equations. The teacher will provide a problem on the board.
                   For example:  x+2=6
A student explains to the class that in order to get x by itself, students must subtract two to both sides on the equation.
x+2-2=6-2 → x=4
After different examples, Students will move to multi-step equations such as
2x+8=10
Teacher will refer back to previous examples which involved getting x by itself. In this case, to get x by itself students must first subtract by eight to both sides
2x+8-8=10-8→ 2x=2
Since two is being multiplied by x, students must do the opposite and divide by two to both sides.
                                        2x/2= 2/2→ x=1
Students develop their skills by beginning with simple problems and moving towards more complex ones. This lesson clearly shows students using previous knowledge to build new cognitive structures. Hence, allowing for better retention.

Websites Related to Elaboration Theory

The following websites provide more depth information on Elaboration Theory. They highlight Charles Reigeluth's contribution and provide more examples of this theory.  

More on Elaboration Theory
This website provides a summary on Elaboration Theory. As well as, criticism on the theory.
Instructional Design: Elaboration Theory
Example, applications, and different principles of the Elaboration Theory are provided through this website.
Elaboration Theory
This website has a biography on Charles Reigeluth and a summary on Elaboration Theory.

Resources

Elaboration Theory (Reigeluth). (2016). Retrieved October 05, 2016, from https://www.learning-theories.com/elaboration-theory-reigeluth.html

Elaboration Theory (Charlie Reigeluth). (n.d.). Retrieved October 05, 2016, from http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/elaboration-theory.html