An overview of the characteristics of the approach
The direct instruction learning approach is considered one of the most common teaching approaches in many American and Canadian public schools (Abbott, 2021). Lessons revolve around the guidance of a teacher by presenting demonstrations, powerpoint, or teacher-led interactive tutorials (Renard, 2019). An important part of learning involves the students by giving them assignments or experiments. Therefore, teachers may use this technique in the classroom to allow students to learn the course material before moving on to a task that enhances their understanding of the topic. For instance, this approach can be helpful in the classroom when mixed with teaching techniques, such as the differentiation and scaffolding method (Abbott, 2021). The scaffolding method could be used by first having the teacher direct the student by showing a step-by-step demonstration of how to conduct an experiment or solve a problem. Then the teacher would gradually leave the student to try out the problem.
A discussion of how the approach does or does not align with your chosen topic. If it has a place in your final Learning Design (why or why not)
The direct instruction learning approach aligns with my group’s chosen topic, ‘How Do We Learn?’ Our big ideas revolve around what instructional methods educators can use to frame lessons and how educators can support the learning process during lessons. To investigate these big ideas, we are using the digital tool EdPuzzle, which begins as a teacher-led approach as the educator would present a video presentation and guide students to learn the material by having students answer questions on their devices. In addition, students will be exposed to the scaffolding method and the gradual release of responsibility model, which enables teachers to play a significant role in the learning process by using a direct instruction approach and then using a collaborative approach for the student to become an independent learner.
References
Abbott, S. (2021). The Roles and Responsibilities of the Special Educator. Granite State College. https://granite.pressbooks.pub/edu606-701/chapter/direct-instruction-teaching-method/
Renard, L. (2019, March 28). Direct instruction – A practical guide to effective teaching. Book Widgets Interactive Learning. https://www.bookwidgets.com/blog/2019/03/direct-instruction-a-practical-guide-to-effective-teaching