Cybersavvy
First Principles of Instruction
In 2002, M. David Merrill published "First Principles of Instruction." He analyzed instructional design theories and looked for shared principles that can be applied to any design. These are the principles that Cybersavvy uses when designing and evaluating learning experiences.
What are they?
Learning is promoted when...
a) learners are engaged in solving real-world problems.
b) existing knowledge is activated as a foundation for new knowledge.
c) new knowledge is demonsrated to the learner
d) new knowledge is applied by the learner.
e) new knowledge is integrated into the learner's world.
(Merrill, 2002)
How Can They Be Applied?
a) Students will publish a class newspaper, and each group is in charge of a different section.
b) Students share what they already know about the topic they have chosen to write about and what they still need to find out
c) Students find valid sources with the information they still need
d) Students use their research to write an article about their topic and submit it to their peers for fact-checking before it is published.