What is a key characteristic of direct instruction?

A key characteristic of direct instruction is the focus on carefully planned lessons that are broken down into small, manageable increments. This approach aims to provide clear, structured guidance to students, making it easier for them to understand and master new concepts step by step. The lessons are typically organized with specific learning objectives and include direct teaching methods, such as demonstrations and explanations, followed by practice opportunities for students.

This structured method contrasts with approaches that prioritize student-led exploration, open-ended questioning, or flexibility in teaching style, which are more characteristic of constructivist or inquiry-based learning models. In direct instruction, the teacher actively leads the learning process, ensuring that students acquire the necessary skills and knowledge in a systematic way.