FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which instructional strategy is characterized as teacher-centered and based on a behaviorist viewpoint?

1. Constructivist instruction

2. Direct instruction

3. Interactive learning

4. Guided discovery

The correct answer is: Direct instruction

The correct answer is direct instruction, which is characterized as a teacher-centered approach rooted in behaviorist principles. This strategy involves the teacher delivering content in a structured manner, typically through clear, explicit teaching methods, where the focus is on transmitting knowledge directly to students. The teacher takes an active role in presenting information, demonstrating processes, and guiding students through the learning objectives. Direct instruction emphasizes the importance of clear learning outcomes, and it often incorporates systematic reviews, practice, and feedback to ensure that students grasp the material. It is particularly effective for teaching specific skills or content that requires mastery through repetition and reinforcement, aligning well with behaviorist theories that prioritize observable and measurable outcomes. In contrast, the other instructional strategies, such as constructivist instruction, are more learner-centered, encouraging students to build their own understanding through exploration and interaction. Interactive learning also emphasizes collaboration and dialogue among students, while guided discovery supports students in discovering concepts with some guidance from the teacher, placing learners more at the center of the learning process. These approaches move away from the direct transmission of knowledge characteristic of direct instruction.