What's the best instructional model for your teaching context?

1 Direct Instruction

Direct instruction is a teacher-centered model that focuses on explicit and systematic teaching of specific skills or concepts. The teacher provides clear explanations, demonstrations, and examples, followed by guided practice, feedback, and independent practice. Direct instruction is effective for teaching basic facts, rules, and procedures, especially for novice learners or low-achieving students. However, direct instruction can also be boring, passive, and irrelevant for some learners, especially those who are more advanced, motivated, or creative.

2 Inquiry-Based Learning

Inquiry-based learning is a learner-centered model that focuses on engaging students in exploring questions, problems, or phenomena that interest them. The teacher acts as a facilitator, coach, or mentor, providing guidance, resources, and scaffolding, but not direct answers. Inquiry-based learning is effective for developing higher-order thinking skills, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, as well as curiosity, motivation, and autonomy. However, inquiry-based learning can also be challenging, frustrating, and time-consuming for some learners, especially those who lack prior knowledge, skills, or confidence.

3 Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning is a social model that focuses on fostering positive interdependence, individual accountability, and group interaction among students. The teacher organizes students into small, heterogeneous groups, assigns them specific roles and tasks, and monitors their progress and behavior. Cooperative learning is effective for enhancing academic achievement, social skills, and attitudes toward learning and diversity. However, cooperative learning can also be problematic, unproductive, and unfair for some learners, especially those who face conflicts, free-riders, or domination within their groups.

4 Flipped Classroom

Flipped classroom is a blended model that focuses on reversing the traditional roles of homework and classwork. The teacher provides students with online materials, such as videos, podcasts, or readings, to learn the content before class. Then, the teacher uses class time for interactive activities, such as discussions, debates, or projects, to apply and deepen the learning. Flipped classroom is effective for increasing student engagement, retention, and performance, as well as allowing for more differentiation and personalization. However, flipped classroom can also be demanding, confusing, and inaccessible for some learners, especially those who lack technology, self-regulation, or support.

5 Project-Based Learning

Project-based learning is an authentic model that focuses on immersing students in complex, real-world challenges or tasks that require multiple skills and disciplines. The teacher defines the project scope, criteria, and timeline, but gives students autonomy and choice over the process and product. Project-based learning is effective for developing 21st century skills, such as creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking, as well as relevance, ownership, and transfer. However, project-based learning can also be overwhelming, chaotic, and risky for some learners, especially those who face difficulties with planning, managing, or presenting their work.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?