Merrill’s first principles of instruction: An experience in teachers’ training By Ivan Aguilar

OUR LEARNING OBJECTIVE The main objective of this presentation is to describe and explain an example of how the first five principles put forward by David Merrill can be used to create a simple plan for teacher training in the area of language teaching.

A PROBLEM You have been appointed to train a new faculty of teachers, what activities would you do on each training session?

SOME TRAINING MODELS Workshop model. Experiential learning model. Popular education. Constructivists learning environments. Instructional design.*

A LITTLE BACKGROUND “For the past several years the author has been reviewing instructional design theories in an attempt to identify prescriptive principles that are common to the various theories. Five first principles are elaborated: (a) Learning is promoted when learners are engaged in solving real-world problems. (b) Learning is promoted when existing knowledge is activated as a foundation for new knowledge. (c) Learning is promoted when new knowledge is demonstrated to the learner. (d) Learning is promoted when new knowledge is applied by the learner. (e) Learning is promoted when new knowledge is integrated into the learner’s world.”

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN PROBLEM/ TASK ACTIVATION DEMONSTRATIONAPPLICATION INTEGRATION

PRINCIPLE 1: PROBLEM “Learning is promoted when learners are engaged in solving real-world problems.” Show task Task level I need to learn how to use an ATM. I wonder what the steps are?

PRINCIPLE 2:ACTIVATION “Learning is promoted when existing knowledge is activated as a foundation for new knowledge.” Previous experience New experience Structure I have no previous experience. This is a completely new experience, but I remember how I learned to use a cash machine.

PRINCIPLE 3:DEMONSTRATION “Learning is promoted when new knowledge is demonstrated to the learner.” Demonstration consistency (information/portrayal) Learner guidance Relevant media I’ll ask a friend to let me observe how he uses the ATM. I’ll pay attention to the adds on the bank’s TV

PRINCIPLE 4:APPLICATION “Learning is promoted when new knowledge is applied by the learner.” Practice consistency Diminishing guidance I’ll try it myself, but I’ll ask a person from the bank to guide me while I’m using the ATM.

PRINCIPLE 5:INTEGRATION “Learning is promoted when new knowledge is integrated to the learner’s real world.” Watch me Reflection Creation Now, I’ll ask my friend to observe me while I use the ATM…I’m able to do it on my own. This is very useful.

IMAGINE YOU WANT TO LEARN TO PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OR A NEW GAME: HOW WOULD YOU APPLY THESE PRINCIPLES? PROBLEM/ TASK ACTIVATION DEMONSTRATIONAPPLICATION INTEGRATION

USING THE PRINCIPLES In this section she we present an example of the application of the first principles stated by Merrill.

PROBLEM PRINCIPLETRAINING PLAN “Learning is promoted when learners are engaged in solving real-world problems.” Task definition To deal with discipline problems in the classroom using verbal persuasive strategies. Task Components a. To describe episodes of indiscipline they faced b. To describe verbal strategies. c. To identify the verbal strategies d. To practice using verbal strategies. e. To explain how verbal strategies could be used to face the episodes described previously.

ACTIVATION PRINCIPLETRAINING PLAN “Learning is promoted when existing knowledge is activated as a foundation for new knowledge.” Ps describe in a written form an episode of classroom indiscipline. Ps share their experiences with at least two other members and try to identify which one was the hardest to deal with. Ps receive a copy with a blank concept map. The use of this strategy is briefly explained by the instructor.

DEMONSTRATION PRINCIPLETRAINING PLAN “Learning is promoted when new knowledge is demonstrated to the learner.” Using slides, the T explains the concept of persuasive verbal. Ps also receive a short article to read and complete the concept map. Using slides, T presents samples of each verbal strategy. Ps are also asked to observe and name a set of examples of the verbal strategy.

APPLICATION PRINCIPLETRAINING PLAN “Learning is promoted when new knowledge is applied by the learner.” Ps practice using the strategies in some role playing with their classmates. Some participants present their role plays to the class.

INTEGRATION PRINCIPLETRAINING PLAN “Learning is promoted when new knowledge is integrated to the learner’s real world.” Ps go back over their initial ideas and explain how the teacher could have reacted using the verbal strategies. As a closure, Ps are asked to explain how they can creatively apply their new learning.

PARTICIPANTS’ FEEDBACK

SOME CONCLUSIONS