David Merrill spent time researching which principles were most common in instructional design theory and came up with what he deemed the first five principles of instruction where learning is promoted: 1. when learners are engaged in solving real-world problems, 2. when existing knowledge is activated as a foundation for new knowledge, 3. when new knowledge is demonstrated to the learner, 4. when new knowledge is applied by the learner, and 5. when new knowledge is integrated into the learner’s world.
