Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Foundations of Reading Practice Exam

What does direct instruction involve?

1. Independent exploration of concepts by students

2. Teacher guidance and extensive practice until mastery is achieved

3. Facilitating discussion amongst peers without direct teaching

4. Providing general information without a structured approach

The correct answer is: Teacher guidance and extensive practice until mastery is achieved

Direct instruction is a structured, systematic approach to teaching where the teacher plays an active role in guiding students through the learning process. This method focuses on providing clear, explicit instructions, and it emphasizes the importance of practice and feedback to ensure that students fully comprehend the material being taught. Through guided practice and the use of modeling, teachers help students develop specific skills or grasp concepts effectively. This continual engagement between the teacher and the students supports mastery of the content, making this approach particularly effective for teaching foundational skills and complex concepts. In contrast, the other options describe different instructional approaches. Independent exploration allows students to manage their own learning but does not include direct guidance from an instructor. Peer discussion focuses on collaborative learning without explicit teaching from the teacher. Finally, providing general information lacks the structure and engagement that characterizes direct instruction, as it does not involve targeted practice or feedback necessary for mastering specific skills.