Direct instruction is an approach to teaching that emphasizes the systematic and explicit teaching of skills and knowledge through teacher-led, highly structured lessons. This approach is based on the idea that learners, especially those who struggle with learning, benefit from clear, step-by-step instruction and feedback. In a course, the teacher begins by clearly stating the learning objectives and breaking them down into smaller sections. Then, the teacher explains each part of the task or concept in detail, modeling it for the students. Next, students practice the skill or apply their knowledge through guided activities or exercises, while the teacher provides immediate feedback. This process is repeated several times to reinforce learning and build mastery.

I think this approach is similar to the thematic part of our teaching. When teaching k-12 students, we often need the teacher to explain more in the new learning content and give different examples to facilitate better understanding, and at the same time, the teacher will break a big problem or big chapter into several small parts to explain slowly. Direct Instruction is effective in a variety of settings and with a variety of learners, but it is often used in conjunction with other instructional methods and can be adapted to meet the needs of different learners.

There is a lack of creativity and flexibility, as well as a lack of student autonomy. The teacher is the primary source of information and control in the classroom. Students are often passive recipients of information and are rarely given the opportunity to take charge of their own learning. This can limit students’ sense of autonomy and creativity in their education. Therefore, if you want to make the class more interesting and engage students, you need to use it together with other teaching methods.