Reflections on how M. David Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction (FPI) Can Transform Student Learning

Abstract

Three previous action research studies illustrated the transformative power Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction (FPI) had on three graduate-level Instructional Design and Technology courses. Data collected indicated statistical increases in overall student mastery, student course satisfaction, and student perception of course tasks. These studies included courses dealing with an introduction to audio, video, and interactivity, learning management systems and organization, as well as instructional design and evaluation. Encouraged by these results, the researchers desired to know if Merrill’s FPI could be applied to a master’s capstone project course (Media Asset Creation). Upon completion of this stage in the study, results indicated that Merrill’s FPI had a transformative positive influence on the Media Asset Creation course, although not as strong as the findings from the previous courses, due to the small numbers of students in the study. Indicators show that any course may benefit from the application of Merrill’s FPI.