Essential Learning Theories & Frameworks in IDT: Merrill's Principles of Instruction

Cai, Q., & Moallem, M. (2022). Applying Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction to redesign an online graduate course through the rapid prototyping approach. TechTrends, 66(2), 212–222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-021-00658-w

Chee, K. N., & Sanmugam, M. (2024). Revisiting Merrill’s First Principle of Instruction: Embracing computational thinking in mobile learning. In Integrating Cutting-Edge Technology Into the Classroom (pp. 268–291). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-3124-8.ch013

Gardner, J. (2010). Applying Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction: Practical methods based on a review of the literature. Educational Technology, 50(2), 20–25.

Klein, J. D., & Mendenhall, A. (2018). Applying the First Principles of Instruction in a short-term, high volume, rapid production of online professional development modules. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 30(1), 93–110. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12528-017-9166-9

Kuba, R., Rahimi, S., Smith, G., Shute, V., & Dai, C.-P. (2021). Using the First Principles of Instruction and multimedia learning principles to design and develop in-game learning support videos. Educational Technology Research and Development, 69(2), 1201–1220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-021-09994-3

Merrill, M. D. (2002). First principles of instruction. Educational Technology Research and Development, 50(3), 43–59. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02505024

Merrill, M. D. (2012). First principles of instruction: Identifying and designing effective, efficient, and engaging instruction. (1st ed.). Wiley.

Merrill, M. D., Visser-Valfrey, M., & Visser, J. (2008). Why basic principles of instruction must be present in the learning landscape, whatever form it takes, for learning to be effective, efficient and engaging. In Learners in a Changing Learning Landscape (pp. 267–275). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8299-3_13

Merrill, M. D., Zumbach, J., Narciss, S., Bernstein, D. A., & Marsico, G. (2023). First principles of instruction revisited. In International Handbook of Psychology Learning and Teaching (pp. 1201–1233). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28745-0_56

Mueller, C., Lim, J., & Watson, S. L. (2017). First principles of attitudinal change: A review of principles, methods and strategies. TechTrends, 61(6), 560–569. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-017-0191-3

Tu, W., & Snyder, M. M. (2017). Developing conceptual understanding in a statistics course: Merrill’s First Principles and real data at work. Educational Technology Research and Development, 65(3), 579–595. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-016-9482-1

Vaudrey, K., Uy, M. J. T., Thompson, A., Morris, H., & Cifuentes, L. (2025). The impact of designing near-peer teacher training according to Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction. Medical Science Educator, 35(2), 959–967. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-024-02267-7