EFDE3114 | Teacher’s Leadership

1.0 INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

1.1 Definition
In lesson planning, teachers not only have to plan on ‘what’ the learner should be
learning. They also need to arrange on ‘how’ learning is going to occur among the
learner. This is when instructional strategies take place since instructional strategies
will help determine a teacher’s approach in reaching learning objectives
(Instructional Approaches: Chapter 2: Instructional Models, Strategies, Methods,
And Skills, n.d.). Coming next is Instructional Methods which contains variety of
learning techniques that covers all subject and levels area which can be applied in a
classroom full of learner with different backgrounds, various abilities and
personalities (Persaud, 2018).
It is indeed challenging to keep students motivated according to Machingambi
(2017) but with the help of creative and innovative instructional strategies, learning
experience are more likely to be entertaining and practical for learner besides
motives them to participate actively in the learning process. While creating
opportunity for leaner to connect the dot between the material learned in class and
real-life situations, instructional strategies assure learner to stay focused, engaged
and simply understand the learning material better (Alberta Learning, 2002).
Teachers on the other hand gain benefit by having different method on monitoring
and assessing students’ performance from implementing instructional strategies.
The instructional strategies intent to nurture independent strategic learners who
are able to determine the most suitable learning strategies for themselves and utilize
it to carry out tasks or reach goals. This is possible through continuously applying
variety of instructional approaches and learning materials to learner.

1.2 Instructional Strategies Categories

The instructional strategies are categorized into 5 part which are Direct Instruction,
Indirect Instruction, Experiential Learning, Independent Study and Interactive
Instruction. The interrelationship among the five instructional strategies are as
shown in the figure below.
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Figure 1.2 Interrelationship Between the 5 Instructional Strategies

1.2.1 Direct Instruction

This instruction is frequently used and is mainly teacher-centered because
it aims to supply information and advance step-by-step skills
constructively. Although it’s considered as easy to be implemented, a
worthwhile direct instruction is actually complex. Some instructional
methods that suits this strategy well are:
 Lecture.
 Drill and Practice.
 Didactic Questions.
 Guided and Shared – reading, listening, viewing, thinking.
 Structured Overview.
 Explicit Teaching.
 Compare and Contrast.
 Demonstrations.
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1.2.2 Indirect Instruction

Indirect Instruction is simply the contrast of Direct Instruction because this
strategy is student-directed. Nonetheless, both direct and indirect
instruction could still enhance one and another. Students are free to
explore numerous sources in order to complete tasks given without having
to worry so much on giving inaccurate answers although their involvement
demand them to investigate, observe, form hypotheses and differentiating
data. Not only that, indirect instruction triggers their curiosity and interest
which will then intrinsically promotes their creativity and interpersonal skills
and abilities as well as developing a deeper understanding on the material
learned.
As for the teacher, their role switch to being a supporter, resource
person and facilitator instead of lecturer/director. They’re also fully
responsible on creating a learning environment that encourage student
involvement and provide students feedback whenever necessary. Even
so, indirect instruction highly requires the use of print, non-print and
human resource.
It is best to implement this instructional activity in a lesson when the
learning process is as important as the material learned for life-long
learning, requires problem solving, intrinsic motivation, interpersonal,
values and attitudes outcomes, and has alternative option for answer.
The disadvantages of indirect instruction are having variety of
unpredictable outcomes, time consuming, less autonomy for teachers and
unsuitable for instant content recall and memorization. In consequence,
here are some instructional methods that works under this instructional
strategy:

 Case Studies.  Concept

 Inquiry. Mapping.
 Writing to Inform.  Close Procedure.
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 Problem Solving.  Concept Formation.

 Reading for Meaning.  Concept Attainment.
 Reflective Discussion.

1.2.3 Interactive Instruction

Discussions and sharing among learners are what Interactive Instruction is
all about. Furthermore, sharing and discussing allows learner to
experience and react to teacher or peer’s knowledge and ideas, and
produce different ways of feeling and thinking. Groupings and interactive
methods such as small group discussions, students in pairs, assignment
project and class discussions work best for this instruction.

The arrangement of discussion period, groups size and formation,

topic outline and sharing/reporting techniques by teacher are very vital in
ensuring the success of interactive instruction in a lesson. Some of the
possible instructional methods for this instruction are:

 Role Playing.  Interviewing.

 Brainstorming.  Debates.
 Discussion.  Panels.
 Think, Pair, Share.  Peer Partner Learning.
 Jigsaw.  Cooperative Learning.
 Laboratory Groups.  Problem Solving.
 Structured  Tutorial Groups.
Controversy.  Conferencing.

1.2.4 Experiential Learning

Giving learners the ability to plan on how to utilize knowledge learned into
other contexts and reflecting individually upon an experience are the
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reason why experiential learning are seen as learner and activity oriented,
and inductive. There are five phases in the cycle of experiential learning:

Figure 1.2.4 Experiential Learning Model by Mallory (n.d.)

On top of that, the capability of operating variety of resources in

experiential learning makes the learning process more significant
compared to the product. Here are a few examples of instructional method
for experiential learning:

 Narratives.  Conducting Experiments.

 Simulations.  Games.
 Storytelling.  Focused Imaging.
 Field Observations.  Role Playing.
 Surveys.  Model Building.
 Field Trips.
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1.2.5 Independent Study

Independent study simply called for leaners to study at their own pace
under an instructor surveillance and guidance with hope to nurture
learner’s self-reliance, self-improvement and initiative in terms of reflecting
and analyzing problems, planning and taking resolved actions and
possessing life-long learning competence to strive independently as the
world continue evolving. Learning in small group and peer partnership are
also essential in independent study. The appropriate instructional methods
for this strategy are:

 Computer Assisted  Learning Centers.

Instruction.  Essays.
 Learning Logs.  Journals.
 Learning Activity  Reports.
Packages.  Correspondence Lessons.
 Learning Contracts.  Homework.
 Research Projects.  Assigned Questions.
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REFERENCES

Alberta Learning. (2002). Health and Life Skills Guide to Implementation (K–9). Alberta

Education. https://education.alberta.ca/media/1477143/healthgi.pdf

Community Literacy of Ontario. (n.d.). Instructional Strategies | Literacy Basics. Literacy

Basics. Retrieved September 18, 2020, from

http://literacybasics.ca/training/instructional-strategies/

Instructional Approaches: Chapter 2: Instructional Models, Strategies, Methods, And

Skills. (n.d.). Uidaho.Edu. Retrieved September 18, 2020, from

https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/cte492/Modules/M3/Methods-Strategies.htm#:

%7E:text=Examples%20of%20indirect%20instruction%20methods,from%20data

%2C%20or%20forming%20hypotheses.

Machingambi, S. (2017, September 25). Instructional Strategies for Motivating

Students: Reflections from 13 Years of Teaching in Higher Education. Taylor &

Francis. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09751122.2013.11890082

Mallory, T. (n.d.). Experiential Learning Model. Pinterest. Retrieved September 18,

2020, from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/356417757993145449/

Persaud, C. (2018, October 12). Instructional Strategies: The Ultimate Guide. Top Hat.

https://tophat.com/blog/instructional-strategies/