Macro-Design · Full course or program design cycles

Pebble-in-the-Pond Model

A content-first instructional design model that begins with a core problem and expands outward to define the necessary skills and strategies. It serves as an alternative to traditional 'objectives-first' design by focusing on the functional whole-task from the start.

When to use Pebble-in-the-Pond Model

Best used during the initial design and development phase of a new course or curriculum to ensure alignment between tasks and content.

How Pebble-in-the-Pond Model works

Instructional designers use this to map out a curriculum by first identifying a representative task (the pebble) and then designing a series of increasingly complex versions of that task before ever writing specific learning objectives.

Phases of Pebble-in-the-Pond Model

  1. Problem (The Pebble)
  2. Progression of Problems (The Ripples)
  3. Component Knowledge/Skills (The Waves)
  4. Instructional Strategy (The Flow)
  5. Interface Design (The Surface)

Key principles

  • Design should be task-centered rather than objective-centered
  • Instructional components should be derived from the requirements of the task
  • Learners should be exposed to a progression of increasingly complex whole-tasks

Best for

  • Curriculum architecture
  • Technical and vocational training
  • Enterprise-level learning programs

Considerations

  • Requires subject matter experts who can identify 'whole tasks' rather than just topics
  • Can be a significant shift for organizations accustomed to traditional ADDIE or objective-based models

Attribution & sources

Developed by M. David Merrill, 2002

Primary source

Design a session with Pebble-in-the-Pond Model

METODIC builds a complete Pebble-in-the-Pond Model-based session — methods, timing, worksheets, and facilitator guides — in minutes.

Try METODIC free