ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

First Principles of Instruction

Alright kiddo, let's start with some basics. The first principle of instruction is a formula for teaching things to someone. Think of it like a recipe for baking a cake - you need certain ingredients and follow certain steps to make it turn out just right.

So, there are five parts to the first principle of instruction:

1. Learning is an active process - this means that you have to do something in order to learn. You can't just sit there and have someone pour knowledge into your brain like pouring water into a cup. You have to engage with the material, ask questions, and try things out for yourself.

2. Prior knowledge is important - this means that what you already know affects how you learn new things. For example, if you already know how to add numbers, learning about multiplication will be easier because you can use what you already know as a foundation.

3. Clear objectives - this means that you need to understand what you're supposed to be learning and why it's important. You can think of it like having a destination when you're driving somewhere. If you don't know where you're going, it's hard to get there.

4. Feedback - this means getting information about how you're doing and what you need to do to improve. Think of it like a coach giving you tips on how to play a game better. If you don't know what you're doing wrong, you can't fix it.

5. Practice and repetition - this means that you need to keep doing something in order to get good at it. Think of it like riding a bike - you can't master it after just one try, you have to keep practicing until you get better.

So, there you have it - the first principle of instruction broken down into five easy-to-understand parts. Just like baking a cake, if you follow these steps, you'll be able to learn new things more effectively.