Merrill's First Principles of Instruction

Many current instructional design models suggest that the most effective learning environments are those that are problem-based and involve the student in four distinct phases of learning:

Activation of prior experience,
Demonstration of skills,
Application of skills, and
Integration or these skills into real world activities.

Figure 1 below illustrates these five ideas. Much instructional practice concentrates primarily on phase 2 and ignores the other phases in this cycle of learning.

Figure 1 First Principles of Instruction Diagram

At the top level the instructional design prescriptions based on first principles are as follows:

Learning is facilitated when learners are engaged in solving real-world problems.
Learning is facilitated when existing knowledge is activated as a foundation for new knowledge.
Learning is facilitated when new knowledge is demonstrated to the learner.
Learning is facilitated when new knowledge is applied by the learner
Learning is facilitated when new knowledge is integrated into the learner's world.

Source: http://id2.usu.edu/Papers/5FirstPrinciples.PDF

Retrieved February 15, 2011, from http://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/htm/IDC_instructionaldesignmodels.htm#merrill

1 comment:

Joel Gardner said...: Just came across your blog post. A nice summary of First Principles of Instruction.

have found these principles to be difficult to apply effectively. They appear to be obvious, but when attempting to apply them in a cohesive way, it becomes difficult.

I recently published a research-based article that gives guidance for applying these principles. Hope it helps! Article: Applying MEerill's First Principles of Instruction
http://joelleegardner.blogspot.com/2011/10/article-applying-merrills-first.html; May 4, 2012 at 9:01 AM