OAT Discussion Article Summary
Thursday November 13, 2008
Tara N. McCoy
Article Summary
M. David Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction makes an effort to identify fundamental methods that are true within all sound instruction. These methods are design principles that can be applied to instructional programs and/or practices (Merrill, 2002). Merrill’s vision for how people learn and how quality instruction is derived appears to be rooted in his component display theory (i.e., an instructional design theory). In First Principles, Merrill goes on to address effective learning environments that are facilitated when using instructional prescriptions:
- learning is facilitated when learners are engaged in solving real world tasks (task-centered principle)
- learning is promoted when learners activate prior knowledge or experience (activation principle)
- learning is facilitated when new knowledge is demonstrated/shown (demonstration principle)
- learning is facilitated when new knowledge is applied to the learner (application principle)
- learning is facilitated when learner is able to integrate their new knowledge into their everyday life (integration principle)
References
Merrill, M.D. (2002). First principles of instruction. Educational Technology Research and Development, 50(3), 43-59.