According to (Arends, 2015) Direct Instruction is a Teacher-Centered approach to teaching. Direct Instruction can be referred to as Active learning, Mastery teaching, Explicit instruction and Effective teaching (Arends, 2015). Direct instructions is a highly structured and carefully orchestrated method of teaching that promotes skill mastery and knowledge, taught in a step-by-step approach (Arends, 2015). Therefore. this teaching approach is most appropriate for performance-oriented subjects. Such as Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. Direct Instruction has a learning environment that is business like and task-oriented (Arends, 2015).
Theories
There are several theories that support the teaching instructional strategy of Direct instruction in the classroom. For instance, the Behavioral Theory, Social Cognitive Theory and the Teacher Effectiveness Research.
Behavioral Theory
Ivan Pavlov, John Watson and B.F. Skinner are theorist who contributed to this theory. The behavioral theory is the approach to motivate emphasizing that external events, positive or negative, direct behavior (Arends, 2015). Behavioral Theory supports the idea of Direct Instruction because through Direct instruction, teachers express clear behavioral expectations and rewards for positive behaviors.
Social Cognitive Theory
Albert Bandura is a theorist which found the Social Cognitive theory. According to Arends, (2015) “much of what humans learn comes through the observation of others”. This theory supports Direct Instruction as it emphasizes the point in which the student learns by observing their teacher in model the information or process and through guided practice.
Teacher Effectiveness Research
Arends, (2015) explains that Teacher Effectiveness Research ” is research that aim at finding relationships between teaching behavior and student achievement”. Therefore with an organized and structured classroom and learning experiences my students will have a higher achieving learning.
Roles
Teacher
As the teacher I will craft a structured and organized classroom environment for the children to learn. I will also follow the Madeline Hunter Approach which includes 8 learning steps (J. Kambutu, Class Handout Madeline Hunter Approach, November 13, 2018). They are:
- Anticipatory Set. This step is the opening of the lesson in which students attention is on the upcoming lesson. During the Anticipatory you connect with background knowledge of students.
- Statement of objective. Using STP, I will inform students about what they will be able to accomplish by the end of the lesson.
- Instructional Input. During Instructional Input, I will present basic information to encourage higher level thinking.
- Modeling the information or Process. As the teacher, I will provide students with examples of completed work.
- Checking for understanding. “Observe students to determine if the possess the necessary information and concepts o achieve the lesson objective”(J. Kambutu, Class Handout Madeline Hunter Approach, November 13, 2018).
- Guided practice. Students solve problems or answer short questions while I move around the classroom.
- Independent Practice. Students will practice the task with out supervision.
- Accommodations to meet Learners differences. Provided accommodations for students with different abilities
Student
Since Direct instruction is Teacher-Centered Approach, students play a passive role.They demonstrate their knowledge through practicing skills, guided lessons and assessments t develop mastery (Arends 2015).
Assessment
As I am participating in Direct Instruction I will also be participating in assessments that will help me understand, evaluate and document your child’s learning.
Formative
The first assessment I will utilize in the classroom is Formative Assessment. Formative Assessment occurs before or during instruction and helps me as the teacher plan the lesson and make accommodations to best meet your child needs (Arends, 2015). For example, while I am teaching I will ensure that I ask questions that reflect on the lesson and encourage higher level thinking.
Summative
Another Assessment I will utilize in the classroom is Summative Assessments, which occurs after instruction. Through Summative Assessment, I will be able to determine program effectiveness and evaluate your child’s performance (Arends, 2015). Summative Assessment can come in the form of written work, oral presentations and exams. This form of assessment uses grading through point value.
Advantages of Direct Instruction (Arends, 2015)
- Keeps Students engaged
- “Allows teachers to accomplish major goals of education expressed by the larger society” (Arends, 2015 p. 329).
- Straight forward and can be mastered in a sort time
- Students acquire basic information and skills important to society
Disadvantages of Direct Instruction (Arends, 2015).
- Students play a passive role
- Approach does not encourage Social Learning
- Teacher Centered
For further information on Instructional Strategies please visit the tab below.
Erica's Classroom 