Direct instruction is a teaching method that is very teacher based. The teacher is in the centre of every aspect of the learning journey (Sun, 2022). The practice is done in a traditional sense with the teacher being the holder of the knowledge and passing it along to the students. Typically, direct instruction is seen as a teacher working constantly with the students rather than using methods such as group work or videos (Davis, 2018). When these types of resources are practiced it is done on the teacher’s terms and for good reasoning (Sun, 2022). The lessons are conducted in a way that is concise and easily communicated to students to promote better understanding (Davis, 2018). It is a teaching method that encourages efficiency (Sun, 2022). Direct instruction is also looked at as a practice that limits misconception as the information comes directly from the teacher rather than other sources and this allows the teacher to be able to make corrections when needed (Sun, 2022).
My group has chosen developing a growth mindset as the topic for our assignment with an audience age group of grades 5-7. Direct instruction can be seen in our teaching approach as the instructor would be passing along information directly to their students, but it is not the method that is best demonstrated in this assignment. Our group is using resources like cartoons, blog posts, quizzes, and videos for instruction of a growth mindset. These do not align with a direct instruction approach but more so an open pedagogy or inquiry based approach to learning.
Direct instruction could be adapted into our teaching method by limited the variety of resources and focusing on the knowledge that we have as group members to encourage learning for the students. This could be done by exchanging cartoons for a lecture and focusing on the information rather than the process of sharing the knowledge. We are using an approach that is encouraging of discussion and values the experiences and personal learning journeys of the students.
References
Davis, A. (2018). Evidence-based approaches to education: Direct instruction, anyone? Management in Education, 32(3). https://doi.org/https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/10.1177/0892020618765421
Sun, J., Anderson, R., Lin, T.-J., Morris, J. A., Miller, B. W., Ma, S., Thi Nguyễn, K., & Scott, T. (2022). Children’s engagement during collaborative learning and direct instruction through the lens of participant structure. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 18(1). https://doi.org/ doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2022.102061
Anastassiya February 15, 2023
Hi Mikaela! Thank you for sharing your thought on the direct instruction approach and how it can be adapted to your lesson. I appreciate using in-text citations and a reference list at the end. Interestingly, you mentioned that direct instruction “limits misconception.” In fact, some would argue that it limits students’ ability for critical thinking and research as knowledge and information come from one source – the teacher. It would be helpful if you could provide more specific strategies teachers use when implementing direct instructions. Are there any challenges associated with this method? Advantages?