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

Which of the following describes explicit instruction?

1. Concise and contextual teacher language related to the objective

2. Teaching based purely on student discovery and exploration

3. Instruction that is vague and open to interpretation

4. Only informal explanations with no structured practice

The correct answer is: Concise and contextual teacher language related to the objective

The correct answer describes explicit instruction as a method where the teacher uses clear, concise, and contextual language directly tied to the learning objective. This approach ensures that students understand what is expected of them and what they are learning. Explicit instruction is characterized by systematic teaching, where concepts are broken down into manageable parts, modeling is used, and guided practice is provided. This clarity helps to reduce misunderstandings and provides a structured framework, supporting students in achieving specific learning goals. In contrast, the other choices represent differing instructional approaches. Teaching based purely on student discovery and exploration lacks the structured guidance of explicit instruction, which can leave students unclear about the goals. Instruction that is vague and open to interpretation does not provide the clarity necessary for effective learning. Finally, only providing informal explanations without structured practice may not adequately support skill acquisition and retention, as explicit instruction emphasizes practice and reinforcement to solidify learning.