The Rules of Instruction: Tell, Show, Do, Apply

The "Tell, Show, Do, Apply" method is a widely-used instructional strategy that helps learners effectively grasp and retain new information and skills. Here's a detailed breakdown of each step:

1. Tell

Objective: To introduce the concept or skill and explain its importance.

Explanation: Provide a clear and concise explanation of the topic or skill. This includes defining key terms, outlining the objectives, and explaining the relevance of the subject.
Context: Explain why the information or skill is important and how it can be applied in real-life situations. This helps in motivating learners and showing them the value of what they are about to learn.
Engage: Ask questions to engage learners and ensure they understand the key points. Encourage them to ask questions if anything is unclear.

Example: If you are teaching a coding concept like loops in programming:

Tell: Explain what loops are, their types (for, while, do-while), and their purpose in automating repetitive tasks.

2. Show

Objective: To demonstrate the concept or skill.

Demonstration: Provide a step-by-step demonstration of the task or concept. Use visual aids, diagrams, or live demonstrations to make the explanation clearer.
Highlight Key Points: Point out the important aspects of the demonstration. Emphasize the steps, techniques, or critical elements that learners need to pay attention to.
Relate to Tell: Connect the demonstration back to the explanation provided in the "Tell" stage to reinforce understanding.

Example: Continuing with the coding example:

Show: Write a simple loop on the board or screen, explaining each part of the code as you go along. Highlight how the loop initializes, runs, and terminates.

3. Do

Objective: To provide learners with the opportunity to practice the skill or concept themselves.

Guided Practice: Allow learners to practice the skill or concept under supervision. Provide exercises or tasks that let them apply what they have just learned.
Support: Offer support and guidance as they practice. Be available to answer questions, correct mistakes, and provide feedback.
Encourage: Encourage learners to try solving problems on their own, fostering independence and confidence in their abilities.

Example: With the coding concept:

Do: Give learners a simple coding exercise that requires them to write their own loop. Walk around to help them if they get stuck or make mistakes.

4. Apply

Objective: To reinforce learning through application in real-world or complex scenarios.

Independent Practice: Assign more complex tasks or projects that require learners to apply the concept or skill independently. This helps solidify their understanding and ability to use what they have learned in various contexts.
Real-World Scenarios: Provide scenarios or problems that mimic real-life situations. This ensures that learners can transfer their knowledge and skills beyond the classroom or training environment.
Assessment and Feedback: Assess learners' performance on these tasks and provide feedback. This helps identify areas where they are excelling and areas that need further improvement.

Example: For the coding topic:

Apply: Assign a project where learners must use loops in a larger program, such as creating a simple game or solving a complex problem. Review their work and provide feedback on how they can improve their code.

Conclusion

The "Tell, Show, Do, Apply" method is a comprehensive instructional approach that ensures learners not only understand new concepts but can also apply them effectively. By progressively moving from explanation to demonstration, practice, and real-world application, this method fosters deeper learning and skill development.

Imported from rifaterdemsahin.com · 2024