Direct Instruction

An instructional method that emphasizes explicit teaching of essential skills and knowledge. Instructional objectives include clearly defined learning outcomes that directly result from instruction. Lessons are planned to highlight the active role of a teacher (sometimes assisted by technology) in the following: (a) articulating well-defined objectives,(b) reviewing prerequisite skills and knowledge,(c) presenting at an appropriate pace new materials that are organized into steps, and (d) having students practice each step and providing feedback. To help students build knowledge and transfer their learning, the teacher uses among many others, advance organizers, questioning, demonstrations, prompts, rule-example-rule, and worked examples.