What Is Anchored Instruction and How to Use It in eLearning

A common teaching method in classrooms and on online platforms is an approach in which the educator uses engaging stories and real-world scenarios to impart knowledge. It takes away from the age-old principle of just memorizing facts. Instead, it takes learners toward meaningful contexts.

While several theories govern this teaching method, the broader approach is called anchored instruction. The "anchor" is a real-life scenario or a story presented in the form of multimedia to explain abstract concepts. It acts as a starting point for learners to explore a topic and build their understanding.

In this guide, we explain anchored instruction in detail. We also describe some strategies you can use to implement this instructional design in your courses.

What Is Anchored Instruction?

Anchored instruction is a teaching method in which you place learning within a real-world context. You don't just give information to students. Instead, you anchor it to an engaging story or scenario. Students can then actively explore the information and apply their knowledge to real problems rather than just absorbing it passively.

The idea behind anchored instruction comes from cognitive learning theories, which suggest that people tend to learn best when the information provided to them is tied to something engaging and relevant. Since anchored instruction takes students through realistic challenges, it also helps develop problem-solving skills in learners.

A good example of anchored instruction comes from The Jasper Project. Researchers at Vanderbilt University developed the anchored instructional design in the form of The Adventures of Jasper Woodbury.

The project comprises interactive video-based stories in which students see real-world math problems. For example, they may have to figure out how much fuel a hot air balloon would need for a trip from one place to another. Students then use their math skills in practical scenarios.

Similarly, medical training simulation also uses anchored instructional design. Medical students use simulations to practice diagnosing and treating patients with different medical conditions. This way, they apply the knowledge they have learned in a realistic setting before working with actual patients.

Principles for Designing Courses With Anchored Instruction

Biswas, Goldman, & Bransford outlined seven principles that govern anchored instruction. Let's look at them in detail.

Generative Learning Format

The first and foremost principle of anchored instruction is to create a learning environment that fosters generative learning, which is the process in which learners actively construct their knowledge by building new connections between concepts and prior knowledge.

The educator selects the anchor for the instruction, such as a video or real-life scenario. This anchor presents the learners with a problem that they need to solve. Then, the solution to this problem leads the learner to the end of the story.

The method encourages intrinsic motivation, which leads to better learning outcomes. Students also take ownership of the issue at hand and learn actively.

Narrative Format

In narrative format, a video plays on the screen, which narrates the event and the characters in the story. The problem comes into the picture quite naturally, giving students the impression that they are part of the story rather than a lecture. Educators can embed questions in the video to make sure students are paying attention and analyzing the situation.

Video-Based Presentation Format

The video-based presentation format lets learners watch a series of videos that present them with real-world situations. These videos act as the anchor, and the students need to solve problems by applying the concepts they are learning.

The video acts as a medium to give life to the story and its characters. Students who have a hard time reading or comprehending text can benefit a lot from this format. For example, instead of reading about a historical event, students can watch a reenactment of it and make connections to the concepts being taught.

Embedded Data Design

The story that you're using as an anchor includes the information needed to solve the problem. However, that's not the only data the story contains. Instead, there should be a significant amount of extraneous information that students must analyze and process before arriving at a solution.

Students then determine which information they need to answer the question or solve the problem. For example, in a business scenario, a video may show the CEO of a company explaining their recent drop in sales. Students must then sort through financial reports, customer feedback, sales metrics, and competitor analysis to come up with a solution.

Problem Complexity

The premise of Anchored Interactive Learning Environment by Ihlström & Westerlund is that the problem in anchored instruction should be complex and require multiple steps to be solved.

Higher complexity will ultimately result in higher attention. It also tends to stimulate curiosity, which leads to better motivation and learner engagement.

Transfer Opportunities

Anchored instruction provides grounds for learners to transfer their knowledge of one domain into another. The transfer helps learners to develop the ability to apply what they know to new situations, making their learning more meaningful and long-lasting.

Take a course about business management as an example. The concepts learned can be applied to areas like healthcare administration or educational leadership.

Links Across the Course Curriculum

The story in anchored instruction should not only have all the information to solve the problem, but it can also introduce concepts and topics from other subjects for holistic learning. For example, in a cybersecurity course, the scenario could involve a cyberattack on a hospital, prompting students to not only solve the security breach but also learn about healthcare systems and patient privacy laws.

How to Create a Course Using Anchored Instruction Approach Principles?

Planning to create an online course using principles of anchored instruction? Here's how to do it well.

Select a Real-World Context

Start by selecting a meaningful scenario that relates to your subject. It should be something students can immerse themselves in and solve using the concepts you're teaching.

For example:

• A math course could use a story about planning a road trip, where students calculate distances and fuel costs.
• A business course could simulate a struggling company needing a marketing plan.
• A science class could center around an environmental crisis, requiring students to analyze data and propose solutions.

Develop a Story or Problem-Based Scenario

Next, create a problem or story that unfolds throughout the course. Use the principles mentioned above in this step, such as including extraneous information and having a multi-step solution.

For example, in the science class above, the students could take the role of environmental scientists. They receive data from different sources, and they must analyze it to determine the cause of the crisis. Once identified, they then work on a solution and present it to stakeholders.

Integrate Multimedia and Interactive Elements

Anchored instruction thrives on interactive content. Use videos, learning simulations, role-playing activities, or digital case studies to bring the scenario to life.

In the science class example above, you could show real footage of the environmental crisis. Then, simulations can demonstrate data collection methods so that students can really see where the information came from.

As for interactivity, it can come in the form of discussions, debates, quizzes, or assignments that require critical thinking and decision-making. An important consideration here is to use a course builder that gives you enough room to include interactive elements.

Coursebox, an AI-powered course builder, is a good example. You can include interactive elements like quizzes and videos in the courses you develop using the platform's AI. For quizzes, there's also an AI grader that uses the provided rubric to mark assessments and provide feedback.

The platform's interactivity further comes from its AI chatbot trainer. In anchored instruction, the chatbot can provide real-time assistance to students throughout the problem solution process since it trains on your course.

Encourage Collaboration and Discussion

Real-world problems aren't solved in isolation, so incorporate teamwork and discussion. Set up group activities where students analyze the scenario together, debate solutions, and apply different skills. Collaboration also helps learners develop communication skills.

Allow for Exploration and Multiple Solutions

Anchored instruction encourages creative problem-solving. Avoid rigid, single-answer questions. Instead, let students explore different solutions and defend their reasoning.

In the science course example above, this could mean allowing students to come up with alternative explanations for the phenomenon and supporting their arguments with evidence.

Provide Real-Time Feedback

Learning happens best when students receive timely feedback. Offer guidance as they work through the scenario and provide opportunities for reflection. If they need extra assistance, provide constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Conclusion

When you create a course using anchored instruction, you transform education into an interactive, problem-solving experience. The grounding of learning in real-life scenarios paves the way for a deep understanding of concepts and skills that can be applied in various contexts.

With Coursebox, you can implement all these principles in your courses while giving learners the opportunity to learn on the go with the platform's mobile app. Even better, you can white-label and sell courses through the platform.