Merrill's First Principles of Instruction Diagram
Use this interactive diagram to learn more about the five principles of instruction and why each one matters.
Integration into Real Life
Finally, help learners internalize and apply the learning.
Application of Skills
Now it's time for learners to apply what they've learned through practice.
Demonstration of Skills
Show, don't just tell. Learners need to see a skill or concept in action.
Activation of Prior Knowledge
Before learning something new, we need to connect it to what we already know.
Problem-Centered Learning
Learning is most effective when it's rooted in solving real-world problems.
Problem-Centered Learning
📚Why it Matters: Instead of starting with theory or definitions, begin your learning experience with a meaningful task. 🎯Try This: Frame the entire module around a scenario. For example, instead of teaching communication skills in isolation, have learners navigate a workplace conflict scenario. The problem becomes the anchor, and everything else builds around it.
Remember, the key is to reduce cognitive load for our learners, which creates better learning.
Demonstration
📚Why it Matters: Learners need to see a skill or concept in action. 🎯Try This: Create short video demonstrations, case studies, or annotated walkthroughs. Show them how a concept works in the real world.
+info
This helps bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Activation of Prior Knowedge
📚Why it Matters: This principle encourages you to activate learners' prior experiences.🎯Try This: Use reflection questions, simple pre-assessments, or quick polls.
Remember, it is best practice to know and understand what prior knowledge learners bring to their learning experiences. Our learners have diverse backgrounds that can enhance the learning, but we first need to tap into it!
+Info
Application
📚Why it Matters: This helps learners to apply what they have seen. This is where true learning happens.🎯Try This: Build in practice opportunities that include feedback. Think simulations, drag-and-drop interactions, or scenario-based questions.
+info
Don't forget to scaffold: start easy and then add complexity.
Integration
📚Why it Matters: We need to help learners internalize and apply the learning to their own lives or jobs. This often gets overlooked but is so powerful. 🎯Try This: Ask learners to share what they have learned. Use discussion boards, journals, or team reflections.
+info
This step helps cement the learning long-term.
Merrill's First Principles of Instruction Diagram
Designing with Love
Created on June 29, 2025
Use this interactive diagram to learn about the five multimedia design principles, developed by Dr. David Merrill.
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Transcript
Merrill's First Principles of Instruction Diagram
Use this interactive diagram to learn more about the five principles of instruction and why each one matters.
Integration into Real Life
Finally, help learners internalize and apply the learning.
Application of Skills
Now it's time for learners to apply what they've learned through practice.
Demonstration of Skills
Show, don't just tell. Learners need to see a skill or concept in action.
Activation of Prior Knowledge
Before learning something new, we need to connect it to what we already know.
Problem-Centered Learning
Learning is most effective when it's rooted in solving real-world problems.
Problem-Centered Learning
📚Why it Matters: Instead of starting with theory or definitions, begin your learning experience with a meaningful task. 🎯Try This: Frame the entire module around a scenario. For example, instead of teaching communication skills in isolation, have learners navigate a workplace conflict scenario. The problem becomes the anchor, and everything else builds around it.
Remember, the key is to reduce cognitive load for our learners, which creates better learning.
Demonstration
📚Why it Matters: Learners need to see a skill or concept in action. 🎯Try This: Create short video demonstrations, case studies, or annotated walkthroughs. Show them how a concept works in the real world.
+info
This helps bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Activation of Prior Knowedge
📚Why it Matters: This principle encourages you to activate learners' prior experiences.🎯Try This: Use reflection questions, simple pre-assessments, or quick polls.
Remember, it is best practice to know and understand what prior knowledge learners bring to their learning experiences. Our learners have diverse backgrounds that can enhance the learning, but we first need to tap into it!
+Info
Application
📚Why it Matters: This helps learners to apply what they have seen. This is where true learning happens.🎯Try This: Build in practice opportunities that include feedback. Think simulations, drag-and-drop interactions, or scenario-based questions.
+info
Don't forget to scaffold: start easy and then add complexity.
Integration
📚Why it Matters: We need to help learners internalize and apply the learning to their own lives or jobs. This often gets overlooked but is so powerful. 🎯Try This: Ask learners to share what they have learned. Use discussion boards, journals, or team reflections.
+info
This step helps cement the learning long-term.