The rapid development of e-learning in recent years has highlighted the need for instructional design within new educational environments, but "it is not e-learning itself, but good design that makes a difference" (Horton, 2006).
Instructional design models are usually visual representations, as well as flow charts, describing the steps to be followed in a design project and often presenting an idealized view of the subject (Richey, 2013: p. 158). Their aim is to describe, guide, predict or interpret elements of the planning process (D. H. Andrews & Goodson, 1980).
Due to the different approaches and varied needs, many instructional design models have emerged and been applied in recent years, among which ADDIE, ASSURE, Dick & Carey, Kemp, RSD2, Agile Methodologies, Rapid Prototyping and SAM, that are being studied in the present work.
The purpose of the current work is to compare these models and classify them in such a way as to facilitate the choice of the appropriate model depending on the type of intervention, preferences, approaches and capabilities of the group and the planning body.
Instructional Design models were classified based on two sets of criteria. The first was based on their basic theoretical and philosophical characteristics, and the second was based on the specification of the models according to the needs, requirements, available resources and the potential for educational intervention.
The conclusion of the current analysis was that each model can be used in different contexts, content of different scales, different learners and from designers of different levels of experience. This can be a useful tool for instructional design, as well as predicting new ID models.