optimally guided instruction

Categories: Site glossary

a term suggested for teaching which is neither based on the teacher simply telling students everything, or expecting them to work/find everything out fro themselves with minimal teacher input, but where teacher structure and guide student learning but expect students to be actively engaged in thinking things through rther than simply listening/copying notes.

"The aim of constructivist teaching then is not to provide 'direct' instruction, or 'minimal' instruction, but optimum levels of instruction." (Taber, 2011, p.57)

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.