Instruction Models in Classroom

What is the most powerful thing in classroom? I think it is teachers’ instruction. It determines whether or not teaching and learning process be effective. I have been going to school for more than 12 years and sometimes learning activity was so fun and bored. Personally I think, it depends on teachers’ instruction in the class. Last Tuesday I learnt about it in The Principles of Effective Teaching and Assessment course.

There are four instruction models I learnt. That are:

·         Direct instruction

·         Lecture-Discussion

·         Guided-Discovery

·         Group interaction

Those instruction models have its strengths and weaknesses because there is no “best” instruction model. Usually one instruction model is appropriate in some topic but not for another. We can use each instruction model base on the topic and grade of our students.

Direct Instruction

This model is appropriate to teach the students about basic skill of the subject. For example, basic math, basic English and so on. This models needs the students to recall their prior knowledge that relate to the materials.

Lecture-Discussion

This model allows students to be active because students’ time talking acts as the main focus of this model. Teachers deliver the material through discussion by asking some question to students. The discussion happens among teacher with students and students and students. This models combine lecture and questioning to students.

Guided-Discovery

This model lets the student to explore the knowledge by themselves and teacher acts as a facilitator. Teacher’s role is not as the provider of knowledge but teacher exists just to help student in discovering the knowledge by eliciting their critical thinking. This model can promote students meta-cognition skills to develop problem-solving skill.

Group Instruction

This model provides students opportunity to work in group. They should work together to solve problem or complete the task. This model allows students develop their social skills because they have to be active participating in group discussion.

Each models has its own function, but still the most important is making students active in classroom. Teaching instruction has evoluted. Most of the instruction model stresses on students centered learning because teacher centered learning has been felt as ineffective teaching strategy. Personally I think, again, it depends on what grade our students are in and the materials we are going to deliver. If one instruction is not enough, then use two or three instead. We cannot say which one is the best but we can utilize it to be the best and create effective teaching and learning.