Direct Instruction

Direct instruction has been recommended by experts in the field of special education as a method of teaching that could help the special child learn effectively. However, how many teachers actually know how to teach using direct instruction?

Here's a brief description of how I would use direct instruction to teach the names of animals.

Teacher : "See this animal? Well, it is a rabbit? Rabbit. Class, what is the name of this
animal?"
Class : "Rabbit."
Teacher : "Right, this animal is a rabbit. Maniam, what is the name of this animal?
Maniam : "Rabbit."
Teacher : "Good, Maniam. This is a rabbit. Now, rabbit is spelt r...a...b...b...i...t. Class, let's
spell rabbit together."
Teacher and Class : "r.....a.....b......b.....i.......t"
Teacher : Once again, let's spell 'rabbit.'

Why would the above method of teaching be effective? If you analyze the approach carefully, you will find that there are certain characteristics about it that will enable the child to learn.

1) The teacher tells the child exactly what it is that he has to learn, and the child
immediately repeats what he has just been taught.
2) The skill to be taught is repeated a number of times over a short period of time, giving
ample practice and enabling him to master it quickly.
3) The teacher provides support for the child at all times, and should the child be unable to
explain or perform the skill, the teacher gets immediate feedback and reteaches it.
4) There is little chance for the child to fail as he is performing a skill that has just been
taught by the teacher.
5) The teacher provides immediate feedback ...... praising the child if he is correct, and
reteaching the skill if he gets it wrong.

I used the method often when I was teaching my students. The experts in the field of education were right, direct instruction was effective. In fact, I always advocate the use of direct instruction in the teaching of student with disabilities.