instructional design as a separate
discipline, has developed from several forms of inquiry: (a) research pertaining
to media usage and communications theory; (b) general systems theory and
development; and (c) psychological and learning theory. Reigeluth (1983)
suggests that the three theorists most responsible for the current development
of instructional design knowledge include B. F. Skinner (1954), David Ausubel
(1968), and Jerome Bruner (1966). Skinner is identified because of his work
with behaviorism and Bruner and Ausubel are recognized because of their
contributions to cognitive psychology. Reigeluth (1987) has also compiled
information on several other authors, theories, and models he believes important
to the development of instructional design as a profession. Gagne (1985),
Piaget (1966), and Thorndike (and colleagues) (1928) are other scholars
frequently cited as foundational for much of today's thinking about instructional
design.