Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

arrow_back_ios_new
MENTAL MODEL · M12877

First Principles of Instruction

First Principles of Instruction
StructureHigh supportLogic
Included
account_tree

Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Merrill's five principles of effective instruction: 1. Problem-centered: Organize instruction around real problems. 2. Activation: Connect to learners' existing knowledge. 3. Demonstration: Show, not just tell. 4. Application: Let learners practice. 5. Integration: Integrate new knowledge into real life. Scaffolding role: The underlying logic of instructional design. Regardless of the teaching method used, these five principles should be followed.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

The underlying logic of instructional design. Regardless of the teaching method used, these five principles should be followed.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

The First Principles of Instruction (proposed by M. David Merrill) hold that effective instruction should revolve around five phases: problem-centered, activation, demonstration, application, and integration, driven by real tasks.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/5

Practice this model in one real situation:

Check to track your progress (stored locally)
Learning progress0%
account_treeGenealogyexpand_more
menu_bookReferencesexpand_more

Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Principles_of_InstructionZH · Explicit
    verified

RELATED MODELS

Related model

Ugly Duckling Theorem

Counting all extensional properties equally over a finite set gives different object pairs the same number of shared properties; useful similarity requires selecting or weighting features.

arrow_forwardRelated model

False Equivalence

An informal fallacy that treats limited similarities as establishing equivalence while ignoring differences relevant to the conclusion.

arrow_forwardRelated model

Inferential Distance

How many steps of logical reasoning you must go through to get from what the audience already knows to the conclusion you want to convey.

arrow_forward