Monday, September 21, 2009

September 21 - Merrill and others

Pebble in the pond theory (Merrill’s design theory)

Start by defining the problem than moving on to smaller problems. As the learner solves the problems they learn the skills needed.

Similar to the 4-CID model – take a skill. Break it down into parts, figure out the information needed for these parts and then how teach it.

First principles of Instruction (Merrill’s instructional theory)

Dr. Merrill – basically he took all the theories and said that they had commonalities.

1 - Demonstration

2 – Application

3 – Task-Centered

4 – Activation

5 - Integration

4 Phase cycle of Instruction


** Need to be careful with this – if we focus too much on the formula, the approach, the

system/steps, we may lose some of the creativity that comes with design.

** His two ideas were more for the high-volume designer. He wanted to make a easy-to-follow

set of steps that anyone could follow as they were instructional designers.

**May not work for high-end products, for very picky customers, for very custom designs.

ANCHORED INSTRUCTION

Take learning concepts and ‘anchor’ them in real-world contexts.

Give them a real-life situation where they learn a specific principle in a real-life context.

Think of the old westerns – a lot of the values that the older generation embraces were learned in the old John Wayne westerns.

Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? – This is a perfect example of these type

of anchored instruction.

**The story poses a problem that the learners have to solve. It’s not the actual story –

it’s the task/question that is presented that anchors the learning.



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