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https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/why-art-teachers-are-the-most-c-teachers-in-the-school

In order to learn concepts materials, the learner must be engaged with the content and must practice the skill if the concepts are to be tested. When learning new information, one of the ways to adjust their mental models is the direct instruction approach. Direct instruction is used when students improve their comprehension skills by understanding concepts and texts independently (Yaghmour & Obaidat, 2022). One important strategy for reading comprehension is making connections, which allows students to better understand and relate to what they are reading (Yaghmour & Obaidat, 2022). The direct learning approach allows instructors to provide learners a clear, structured, and step-by-step guidance to help them acquire new knowledge or develop a particular skill (Tremblay, 2023). Some of the key characteristics of direct learning are explicit instructions where the instructor explains concepts in a straightforward way in which they break down complex topics into smaller parts. In accordance with these clear instructions, the instructor will provide guided practice, where students receive assistance and feedback from the teacher. The teacher will assess the learner how well they understand the material and will ask questions, give quizzes and reviews to ensure everyone is on the right track.

According to Docebo (2022), there are 6 stages of direct learning. These include: 

1. Get the learners’ attention – engage students at the beginning of the lesson
2. Present the learning material – explain new concept
3. Practice the new concept alongside learners – guide students when they apply what they’ve learned
4. Provide feedback – offer corrections and clarifications
5. Encourage students to practice on their own – allow students to apply the skills and concepts independently
6. Review – reinforce learning from assessments and discussions

These steps will be beneficial when learning about the chosen topic, Alzheimer’s disease because this approach provides a clear and structured instruction that will help students understand the complex medical illness. Allowing to break down the disease into categories such as misconceptions, early detection, progression, and treatment can make it easier to understand the disease. The course will offer structured lessons that begin with how the disease is first detected, how it progresses overtime, what the later stages are like, and eventually treatment or management plan for the patients. By teaching the students the lifespan of this disease through initial engagement and practice such as doing Quizlet on the topic, the instructor can assess the student’s comprehension and understanding of Alzheimer’s. Overall, direct learning provides a structured and effective way to teach students about this disease through guided practice and assessments that will help them retain key concepts.

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References

Tremblay, R. (2023, August 24). What is Direct Learning (aka Direct Instruction)? Docebo. https://www.docebo.com/learning-network/blog/direct-learning/

Yaghmour, K. S., & Obaidat, L. T. (2022). The Effectiveness of Using Direct Instruction in Teaching Comprehension Skill of Third-Grade Students. International Journal of Instruction, 15(2), 373–392.