Professional Development Webinar Recording

For our final Professional Development session in 2024 we treated our community with a special talk with Dr. Zach Groshell from Seattle, Washington, USA about direct instruction and how it relates to Vocational Education and Training (VET).

Zach’s talk attracted hundreds of attendees and received such a warm and enthusiastic reception. I hope you find this conversation as inspiring, validating and enlightening as I did!

Check out the recording.

Key Topics from our chat with Zach

See below for a brief bullet-pointed summary of our chat with Zach Groshell.

Definition and Principles of Direct Instruction

• Direct instruction is a scaffolded approach where an active teacher initially leads the learning process, and gradually removes support as learners gain proficiency.
• It emphasises explicit teaching, clear explanations, and guided practice, with the goal of learner independence.
• It involves careful planning, task analysis, and breaking down complex skills into manageable components.

Relevance of Direct Instruction in Adult Vocational Education:

• Direct instruction is applicable to learners of all ages, including adults in vocational settings.
• Prior knowledge is a key factor in determining the level of guidance needed. Novices benefit significantly from direct instruction.
• The principles of cognitive load theory, which involve the limitations of working memory, support the use of direct instruction.

Worked Examples

• Worked examples are complete demonstrations of a task or problem-solving process, providing a clear model for learners.
• They are highly effective for promoting learning and can be used in various formats and contexts.

Cognitive Load Theory

• Cognitive load theory highlights the limited capacity of working memory and the importance of managing the mental effort required for learning.
• Direct instruction aligns with cognitive load theory by breaking down information, providing clear explanations, and minimising distractions.

Fading Guidance

• Fading guidance involves systematically removing supports as learners demonstrate increasing competence.
• Ongoing assessment and monitoring of learner performance are essential for effective guidance fading.

Feedback

• Feedback is so important for learning, but its effectiveness depends on learners actively using it and applying it to improve their performance.
• Feedback should be followed by opportunities for learners to apply the feedback and revise their work.

Direct Instruction in Online Learning

• The same principles apply – it’s still learning!
• Direct instruction principles can be applied in online learning environments through carefully designed text, videos, and interactive activities.

Key Takeaways

• Direct instruction is a powerful approach for promoting efficient and effective learning in various educational settings, including adult vocational education.
• It involves a systematic process of explicit teaching, guided practice, and feedback, with an emphasis on learner understanding and independence.
• Cognitive load theory provides a theoretical framework for understanding the importance of direct instruction in managing mental effort and promoting learning.
• Effective educators adapt their instructional strategies to meet the diverse needs of learners, including those who may be quieter or less interactive.

Key Resources

The following were referred to in our chat:

• Kirschner, P. A., Sweller, J., & Clark, R. E. (2006). Why Minimal Guidance During Instruction Does Not Work: An Analysis of the Failure of Constructivist, Discovery, Problem-Based, Experiential, and Inquiry-Based Teaching. Educational Psychologist, 41(2), 75–86. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326985ep4102_1
• Rosenshine, B. (2012). Principles of instruction: Research-based strategies that all teachers should know. American Educator, 36(1), 12–19, 39.

Learn more about Accellier’s VET Professional Development Community

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