First Principles of Instruction

by M. David Merrill

This handy resource describes and illustrates the concepts underlying the First Principles of Instruction and illustrates First Principles and their application in a wide variety of instructional products. The book introduces the e3 Course Critique Checklist that can be used to evaluate existing instructional product. It also provides directions for applying this checklist and illustrates its use for a variety of different kinds of courses. The Author has also developed a Pebble-in-the-Pond instructional design model with an accompanying e3 ID Checklist. This checklist enables instructional designers to design and develop instructional products that more adequately implement First Principles of Instruction."

530 pages, ebook

Published November 13, 2012

Reviews

[Stan Rif · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a master of learning & teaching! The author reviewed 30 of the leading authorities on teaching and assimilated them into a theory of learning! Yes, all of the authorities on teaching did not disclose their model(s) of learning!
This is a landmark work! A map and a practice for learning at all levels.
My only gripe is the format: a single column across a large book: difficult to find the next line to read.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although Merrill provides a great approach to meaningful instruction and assessment, the text itself was a bit too repetitive and often did not validate the suggestions through supporting research or evidence. However, the pebble-in-the-pond, problem-based approach is congruent with recent teaching and learning trends and worthy of consideration.