EDSP 102 Educational Psychology
Chapter 7
The Effective Lesson
Direct Instruction: approach to teaching in which the teacher transmits information
directly to the students; lessons are goal-oriented and structured by the teacher.
This is the presenting of information, skills, or concepts in a direct fashion.
Instructional Objectives
Must be clearly defined in terms of what we expect from students after instructions.
Direct Instructions are appropriate for teaching a well-defined body of information or
skills that all students must master; used best with declarative knowledge (“knowing
what”)
(Less- appropriate when deep conceptual change is an objective; when exploration,
discovery, and open-ended objectives are the object of instruction; not good for
procedural knowledge.
An effective Direct Instruction Lesson would include…
Sequence of Events -> teacher emphasizes prerequisite skills that will be required;
informs students of what they are going to learn (skills are then taught; opportunity for
practice is given; questions or quizzes are given).
How is determine by the subject being taught and the grade level of the students.
Parts of a Direct Instruction Lesson
1. State the Learning Objectives
> What do you want the students to know or be able to do after instruction? This
provides a framework into which information, instructional materials, and learning
activities will fit. Give students an outline of the lesson.
> Positive Mental Set: students’ attitude of readiness to begin a lesson; arouse students’
curiosity or interest in the lesson. Humor or drama works well
2. Review Prerequisites
> You need to ensure that students have mastered prerequisite skills and make sure to
link information that is already in their minds to the information you are about to present.
Review from the previous day. Harder information (new skill or concept) will require
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