Courseware Development Workshop

First Principles of Instruction, created by M. David Merrill, is an instructional theory based on a broad review of many instructional models and theories. First Principles of Instruction establishes a set of principles upon which all instructional theories and models are in general agreement. These principles can be used to assist lecturers and instructional designers in developing learning designs likely to produce positive student learning gains. Merrill identifies the following as important when designing learning:

1. Lecturers engages students by requiring them to solve a real-world problem.
2. Lecturers requires students to ‘activate’ their prior knowledge and skills early in the process.
3. Where necessary the lecturer should ‘demonstrate’ new knowledge or skills.
4. New knowledge is ‘applied’ by the students to solve the problem.
5. New knowledge or skills are ‘integrated’ into daily work and operations of the students.

The First Principles of Instruction Model also believes that one cycle is not always enough to solve the problem or achieve the knowledge or skill desired. Additional problems might need to be set but in these instances lecturer guidance should decrease.