🎓 A Taxonomy of Educational Theory Diagrams

Or: Why Everything in L&D is Either a Pyramid, a Circle, a Cycle, or a Staircase


by Andrew Egbert

A curious observation: Despite decades of innovation in learning science, the visual vocabulary of educational theory remains remarkably... constrained. Nearly every framework you'll encounter can be classified into one of four basic shapes. Is this profound insight into the nature of learning? Or are we just really committed to our clipart?
4
Total diagram shapes in use
~80
Years of educational research
∞
PowerPoint slides generated

🔺 The Pyramid

"You must master the base before ascending to enlightenment"

The undisputed champion of educational graphics. Implies hierarchy, prerequisite learning, and looks impressive in board presentations. Bonus: the tiny apex creates artificial scarcity at the top.

Bloom's Taxonomy Maslow's Hierarchy SAMR Model Kirkpatrick's 4 Levels Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition Dale's Cone of Experience

🔄 The Cycle

"Learning is iterative, continuous, and never actually finished"

Perfect for communicating that learning is a journey, not a destination (and conveniently avoiding any concrete definition of "done"). Usually features 4-6 stages and arrows that go round and round forever.

ADDIE Model Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle Action Research Cycle Gibbs' Reflective Cycle Plan-Do-Check-Act Design Thinking

⭕ The Venn / Hub-and-Spoke

"Everything is interconnected and the magic happens in the middle"

When you want to show that three (always three) distinct concepts mysteriously combine into something greater. The sweet spot in the center is where transformative learning supposedly occurs.

TPACK Framework Community of Inquiry UDL's Three Principles Triple Bottom Line 21st Century Skills PCK (Pedagogical Content Knowledge)

🪜 The Ladder / Staircase

"Progress is linear and upward, obviously"

For when a pyramid isn't explicit enough about the hierarchy. Implies clear steps, measurable progress, and that falling back down rungs is definitely not part of the plan.

SAMR (alternate view) Gradual Release of Responsibility Taxonomy of Learning Domains Reading Recovery Levels Competency Frameworks

🤔 Conspicuously Absent from Educational Theory Diagrams:

Shapes we apparently don't believe describe learning:

Networks / Graphs Spirals Topographical Maps Wave Functions Phase Diagrams Interference Patterns Branching Trees Landscapes with Multiple Peaks Fractal Patterns Möbius Strips
The Real Question:

Does this reflect genuine insight into the hierarchical, cyclical, and interconnected nature of learning?

Or did someone in 1956 make a pyramid, and we've all just been copying their homework ever since?