The researchED Guide to Explicit & Direct Instruction: An evidence-informed guide for teachers

The researchED series

by Adam Boxer, Tom Bennett

researchED is an educator-led organisation with the goal of bridging the gap between research and practice. This accessible and punchy series, overseen by founder Tom Bennett, tackles the most important topics in education, with a range of experienced contributors exploring the latest evidence and research and how it can apply in a variety of classroom settings.In this edition, Adam Boxer examines Direct Instruction, editing contributions from writers Kurt Engelman; Kris Boulton; Greg Ashman; Gethyn Jones; Tom Needham; Lia Martin; Amy Coombe; Naveen Rivzi; John Blake; Sarah Barker; and Sarah Cullen

Genres: Education, Teaching

160 pages, Paperback

Published September 7, 2019

Reviews

[Anna rzk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful and science based ,something we lack in Canadian Academia.

[North Landesman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to @mrbartonmaths ' interview of @Kris_Boulton and wanted to know more about this Engleman and his theories. I found the chapters by Rizvi, Cullen, and Stoten especially good. My big questions remain somewhat unanswered. Does this work with all children, not just low achieving ones? What would an entire DI Curriculum look like? I liked the math examples, and wish for more of this. How would DI look in a discipline like history? Why was so much of this book devoted to essays about that it worked, as opposed to how it worked? I do appreciate that @adamboxer1 put this all together and @tombennett71 put the series together. My take is I can see how it can work in math, grammar, phonics, and bits of writing. How does it translate to secondary outside of those subjects?

[Almachius · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books about evidence based practice, and I love it when the evidence has been packaged into readable chunks as in the case of this short collection of essays. It is a convincing argument for direct instruction and knowledge curriculum and, for me at least, a reassuring rebuttal of the enquiry/discovery curriculum nonsense which I believe is failing our low attainment children. Another chapter or two dealing with the primary setting would have been welcome, as well as a thorough example of a 'script'. I would also like to see an exploration of the Hirsch/Engelmann argument as I have much admiration for both.

Highly recommended. Short. Useful.

[Georgina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes a good case for the adoption of explicit and direct instruction (with and without initial capialisation) and a curriculum that is designed carefully. The chapters, although from different authors, build on and make reference to to one enough - perhaps to replicate the structures of DI. It can be hard in places to see how some of the techniques that are illustrated through subject specific examples can be easily applicable to all disciplines.