Explicit Teaching. Purposeful Learning.
Direct Instruction provides a structured, systematic approach to teaching that makes learning clear, purposeful, and accessible. Learn Different supports educators with professional training designed to strengthen instructional practice and help students develop essential skills.
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What Is Direct Instruction?
Direct Instruction is a structured, systematic approach to teaching that uses carefully sequenced lessons, clear explanations, guided practice, and frequent opportunities for students to respond. Rather than leaving essential learning to chance, instruction is deliberately designed to help students develop knowledge, skills, and confidence.
Systematic Instruction
Skills and concepts are introduced in a carefully planned sequence, with new learning building on previously taught knowledge. Teachers model, explain, and guide students toward mastery.
Active Student Participation
Students are provided with frequent opportunities to respond, practise, and demonstrate understanding. Teachers use immediate feedback and corrections to support accurate learning.
Ongoing Assessment
Student responses and performance provide information about learning. Teachers monitor progress, identify areas requiring additional support, and adjust instruction to help students succeed.
The Six Instructional Elements
Effective instruction involves more than presenting information. These six elements help educators plan, deliver, and evaluate instruction while providing students with clear explanations, guided practice, feedback, and opportunities to demonstrate learning.
Setting the Stage for Learning
Establish clear learning goals, connect new instruction to prior knowledge, and prepare students to engage with the lesson.
Guided Instruction
Introduce new skills and concepts through clear explanations, modelling, and carefully sequenced examples.
Guided Practice
Provide structured opportunities for students to practise new learning with teacher support before working independently.
Feedback and Correctives
Monitor student responses, provide immediate feedback, and use clear corrections to strengthen accuracy and understanding.
Independent Practice
Give students opportunities to apply learned skills with increasing independence, fluency, and confidence.
Evaluation and Review
Assess student learning, revisit previously taught skills, and use performance information to guide subsequent instruction.
Our Direct Instruction Training Programs
Learn Different offers live professional training to help educators understand and implement established Direct Instruction reading programs. Training is available virtually or in person, with scheduling and group arrangements discussed through consultation.
Reading Mastery Signature Edition
Reading Mastery Signature Edition is a structured reading program designed to develop essential reading skills through carefully sequenced instruction, modelling, guided practice, and cumulative review.
- Understanding the program's instructional structure
- Preparing to deliver scripted lessons effectively
- Supporting active student participation and accurate responses
- Using feedback and correction procedures during instruction
Corrective Reading Decoding
Corrective Reading Decoding provides structured instruction for students who require additional support developing accurate and fluent word-reading skills. Its lessons emphasize explicit teaching, guided responses, and systematic practice.
- Understanding the structure of decoding lessons
- Delivering explicit instruction and guided practice
- Using corrective feedback to support accurate reading
- Monitoring student responses to inform instruction
Flexible Professional Learning
Training is delivered live by a Direct Instruction trainer and may be arranged virtually or in person. Participants receive a certificate of completion. Contact Learn Different to discuss scheduling, availability, pricing, and group training options.
From Professional Learning to Classroom Practice
Effective professional learning connects new knowledge with thoughtful instructional decisions and purposeful classroom practice. The Learn Different Learning Journey helps educators connect Direct Instruction training with the needs of the students they support.
Build Understanding
Develop knowledge of Direct Instruction principles, instructional routines, lesson structure, and effective teaching practices.
Decide
Consider student learning needs, instructional goals, and how structured reading programs can be implemented appropriately.
Act
Apply instructional practices in the classroom, respond to student performance, and use ongoing assessment to inform subsequent teaching.
Evidence, Resources & FAQs
Understanding the evidence and the practical requirements of Direct Instruction can help schools make informed decisions about professional learning and instructional implementation.
Research & Resources
Direct Instruction is grounded in systematic teaching, carefully sequenced learning, active student participation, and ongoing feedback. Research on explicit instruction and specific Direct Instruction programs can help educators evaluate how these approaches support different learners.
Explore research summaries and publications through the National Institute for Direct Instruction .
Review independent evidence summaries and practice guidance from the What Works Clearinghouse . Evidence for individual programs should be considered separately from evidence for broader instructional approaches.
Explore additional presentations and workshops supporting evidence-informed instruction and student learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Direct Instruction training for?
Training is intended for educators preparing to use the relevant Direct Instruction program. Contact Learn Different to discuss which training is appropriate for your teaching role or school.
Is training available online?
Yes. Learn Different offers live training virtually or in person. Contact our team to discuss available arrangements.
Which reading programs are covered?
The training programs currently identified on this page are Reading Mastery Signature Edition and Corrective Reading Decoding. Please enquire about specific training needs.
Will I receive a certificate?
The existing Learn Different training information indicates that participants receive a certificate of completion.
How long does training take?
Training duration and scheduling should be confirmed with Learn Different for the program and group involved.
How do we arrange group training?
Contact Learn Different through our enquiry page to discuss group size, delivery format, scheduling, availability, and pricing.
Choosing the right professional learning: Effective implementation depends on student needs, program selection, educator preparation, and the instructional context. Our team can help you discuss the available training options.
ThinkPoint
How do we know our instruction is working, and what might we need to adjust to better support student learning?
Strengthen Instruction.
Support Student Success.
Whether you're preparing to introduce Direct Instruction or strengthening existing instructional practices, Learn Different can help you explore professional training options that support your educators and students.
Discuss Training Options →