Many new instructional designers often get confused between Bloom’s Taxonomy and Merrill’s Principles and honestly, I’ve been there too.
Here’s a simple way to look at it:
Bloom’s Taxonomy helps you define ‘what learners should achieve’ (the outcome).
Merrill’s Principles guide you on ‘how to design the learning experience’ (the journey).
One focuses on thinking levels.
The other focuses on effective teaching.
The real magic happens when you don’t choose between them but combine them.
Define clear learning objectives using Bloom, and then design meaningful, engaging learning experiences using Merrill.
That’s how you unlock the true potential of instructional design.
What do you think?🤔
#InstructionalDesign#LearningDesign#Elearning#LXD#Upskilling
Many new instructional designers often get confused between Bloom’s Taxonomy and Merrill’s Principles and honestly, I’ve been there too.
Here’s a simple way to look at it:
Bloom’s Taxonomy helps you define ‘what learners should achieve’ (the outcome).
Merrill’s Principles guide you on ‘how to design the learning experience’ (the journey).
One focuses on thinking levels.
The other focuses on effective teaching.
The real magic happens when you don’t choose between them but combine them.
Define clear learning objectives using Bloom, and then design meaningful, engaging learning experiences using Merrill.
That’s how you unlock the true potential of instructional design.
What do you think?🤔
#InstructionalDesign#LearningDesign#Elearning#LXD#Upskilling
Excited to see Merrill’s approach showcased-one of the only other recent times it’s been well-incorporated is with LearnWorlds AI course design platform.
Many new instructional designers often get confused between Bloom’s Taxonomy and Merrill’s Principles and honestly, I’ve been there too.
Here’s a simple way to look at it:
Bloom’s Taxonomy helps you define ‘what learners should achieve’ (the outcome).
Merrill’s Principles guide you on ‘how to design the learning experience’ (the journey).
One focuses on thinking levels.
The other focuses on effective teaching.
The real magic happens when you don’t choose between them but combine them.
Define clear learning objectives using Bloom, and then design meaningful, engaging learning experiences using Merrill.
That’s how you unlock the true potential of instructional design.
What do you think?🤔
#InstructionalDesign#LearningDesign#Elearning#LXD#Upskilling
I loved this breakdown so much.
It made everything click for me. 😇
When I started in instructional design, I thought I had to pick one framework.
Use Bloom OR use Merrill. 🤔
That's not how it works.
They're partners, not competitors.
Here's what changed for me:
→ Bloom tells me WHERE learners need to go
→ Merrill shows me HOW to get them there
→ Together they create learning that sticks
Think of it like building a house:
☑️ Bloom is your blueprint.
☑️ Merrill is your construction method.
You need both.
The best learning experiences I've designed happened when I stopped treating frameworks like enemies.
I started asking better questions:
What should learners be able to DO? (Bloom)
How can I make the learning real and engaging? (Merrill)
That's the sweet spot.
That's where transformation happens. 💡
If you're new to instructional design, don't stress about choosing.
Learn both.
Use both.
Watch your designs get better. 👏
What framework combination has worked best for you? Drop a comment below.
Many new instructional designers often get confused between Bloom’s Taxonomy and Merrill’s Principles and honestly, I’ve been there too.
Here’s a simple way to look at it:
Bloom’s Taxonomy helps you define ‘what learners should achieve’ (the outcome).
Merrill’s Principles guide you on ‘how to design the learning experience’ (the journey).
One focuses on thinking levels.
The other focuses on effective teaching.
The real magic happens when you don’t choose between them but combine them.
Define clear learning objectives using Bloom, and then design meaningful, engaging learning experiences using Merrill.
That’s how you unlock the true potential of instructional design.
What do you think?🤔
#InstructionalDesign#LearningDesign#Elearning#LXD#Upskilling
Excellent image, Pooja Rai.
Too often, trainers are focused on the delivery and not on the learner.
I cannot tell you how many times I would deliver complex, technical concepts, as written by the organization, only to see that "deer in the headlights" look. I'd stop, offer simple and non technical examples and explanations, and then tie it back to the complex concept.
Remember, your job is NOT to show how smart YOU are. It's to make sure that your students, clients, and fellow associates become as smart as you!
Many new instructional designers often get confused between Bloom’s Taxonomy and Merrill’s Principles and honestly, I’ve been there too.
Here’s a simple way to look at it:
Bloom’s Taxonomy helps you define ‘what learners should achieve’ (the outcome).
Merrill’s Principles guide you on ‘how to design the learning experience’ (the journey).
One focuses on thinking levels.
The other focuses on effective teaching.
The real magic happens when you don’t choose between them but combine them.
Define clear learning objectives using Bloom, and then design meaningful, engaging learning experiences using Merrill.
That’s how you unlock the true potential of instructional design.
What do you think?🤔
#InstructionalDesign#LearningDesign#Elearning#LXD#Upskilling
I am a big fan of Merrill's in some situations. Creating training for a production floor, I found it to be very effective. Unfortunately, it's not "fast" and you have to convince leadership that doing it this way is better than the "tell not teach" method.
Many new instructional designers often get confused between Bloom’s Taxonomy and Merrill’s Principles and honestly, I’ve been there too.
Here’s a simple way to look at it:
Bloom’s Taxonomy helps you define ‘what learners should achieve’ (the outcome).
Merrill’s Principles guide you on ‘how to design the learning experience’ (the journey).
One focuses on thinking levels.
The other focuses on effective teaching.
The real magic happens when you don’t choose between them but combine them.
Define clear learning objectives using Bloom, and then design meaningful, engaging learning experiences using Merrill.
That’s how you unlock the true potential of instructional design.
What do you think?🤔
#InstructionalDesign#LearningDesign#Elearning#LXD#Upskilling
Absolutely. Education is clearly moving beyond rote memorization toward meaningful application, aligning well with the higher domains of Bloom’s taxonomy. Integration, therefore, becomes not just a strategy but a necessity—connecting concepts across chapters, subjects, and real-life contexts. As teachers, our role is evolving; it is no longer sufficient to rely solely on the textbook as the primary source of knowledge. Instead, we must consciously design learning experiences that encourage students to see relationships, think critically, and apply what they learn.
At the same time, this shift, especially under the vision of NEP has created a certain level of uncertainty and “noise” among teachers, students, and parents alike. This gap often leads to confusion and it becomes difficult for any one stakeholder to fully articulate the core intent of these reforms in isolation.
What remains important is that we continue to reflect, adapt, and stay aligned with the larger goal: nurturing learners who can think, connect, and apply knowledge meaningfully in an ever-changing world.
Many new instructional designers often get confused between Bloom’s Taxonomy and Merrill’s Principles and honestly, I’ve been there too.
Here’s a simple way to look at it:
Bloom’s Taxonomy helps you define ‘what learners should achieve’ (the outcome).
Merrill’s Principles guide you on ‘how to design the learning experience’ (the journey).
One focuses on thinking levels.
The other focuses on effective teaching.
The real magic happens when you don’t choose between them but combine them.
Define clear learning objectives using Bloom, and then design meaningful, engaging learning experiences using Merrill.
That’s how you unlock the true potential of instructional design.
What do you think?🤔
#InstructionalDesign#LearningDesign#Elearning#LXD#Upskilling
One thing I’ve been thinking about lately in Instructional Design:
Good content doesn’t guarantee good learning. Design does.
You can have accurate information, detailed explanations, and strong visuals — but if the learning experience isn’t intentionally designed, learners will still disengage.
Effective instructional design requires more than just content creation. It involves:
Defining clear, measurable learning objectives
Structuring content to reduce cognitive overload
Aligning activities and assessments with outcomes
Designing with the learner’s context and needs in mind
Whether in K-12 or corporate training, the principle is the same:
Learning experiences should be designed, not just delivered.
This shift—from “teaching content” to “designing learning”—is what makes instructional design so powerful.
#InstructionalDesign#eLearning#LearningAndDevelopment#LXD#AdultLearning#EdTech
I couldn't agree more. I’ve found that whenever a project feels 'stuck,' it’s usually because we haven't spent enough time in the 'Human-Centred' phase That shift in questioning really does change everything.
Instructional Designer | Digital Learning Partner | International Trainer | Post Grad Researcher
Designing learning is not only about content. It is about people.
The more I explore design thinking in instructional design, the more I am reminded that meaningful learning begins long before development.
It begins with listening, noticing, questioning, and understanding the real human experience behind the learning need.
Frameworks such as Design Thinking, Double Diamond, Backward Design, Human-Centred Design, and Service Design do more than guide process.
They challenge us to slow down, define the right problem, and design with greater empathy, intentionality, and care.
Perhaps the real question is not, “How do we build training?”
It is, “How do we design learning that truly responds to people?”
That shift changes everything.
#InstructionalDesign#DesignThinking#LearningDesign#HumanCentredDesign#LearningExperienceDesign#CorporateLearning#Elearning#DoubleDiamond
Designing learning is not only about content. It is about people.
The more I explore design thinking in instructional design, the more I am reminded that meaningful learning begins long before development.
It begins with listening, noticing, questioning, and understanding the real human experience behind the learning need.
Frameworks such as Design Thinking, Double Diamond, Backward Design, Human-Centred Design, and Service Design do more than guide process.
They challenge us to slow down, define the right problem, and design with greater empathy, intentionality, and care.
Perhaps the real question is not, “How do we build training?”
It is, “How do we design learning that truly responds to people?”
That shift changes everything.
#InstructionalDesign#DesignThinking#LearningDesign#HumanCentredDesign#LearningExperienceDesign#CorporateLearning#Elearning#DoubleDiamond
