Minimalist instruction

Definition

Minimalist instruction is based on the idea that one should minimize negative impact of instructional materials and favor self-directed learning with meaningful tasks.

This approach developped by Caroll is based on studies on how people learn to use computers and how badly tutorials and manuals do the job...

As Kearsley (1994d) explains, this theory suggests that:

1. All learning activities should be meaningful and self-contained.
2. Activities should exploit the learner's prior experience and knowledge.
3. Learners should be given realistic projects as quickly as possible.
4. Instruction should permit self-directed reasoning and improvising.
5. Training materials and activities should provide for error recognition and use errors as learning opportunities.
6. There should be a close linkage between training and the current task

Minimalist instructional design

In applying Carroll's Minimalist theory, Kearsley (1994d) recommends the following:

1. Allow learners to start immediately on meaningful tasks.
2. Minimize the amount of reading and other passive forms of training by allowing users to fill in the gaps themselves
3. Include error recognition and recovery activities in the instruction
4. Make all learning activities self-contained and independent of sequence.

References

• Carroll, J.M. (1990). The Nurnberg Funnel, Designing Minimalist Instruction for Practical Computer Skill. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

• van der Meij, H. & Carroll, J.M. (1995). Principles and heuristics for designing minimalist instruction. Technical Communications, 42(2), 243-261.

• Kearsley, Greg Minimalism (J. Carroll)

• Horn, E. Book Review: The Nurnberg Funnel by John M. Carroll.

• Mary Beth Rosson, John M. Carroll, and Rachel K.E. Bellamy, Smalltalk Scaffolding: A Case Study of Minimalist Instruction, Proceedings of CH1'1990, pages 423-429, May 1990.