The Third Reflection of PETA about Model Instructions

Nurul Noviana

            Third class of PETA was very interesting. In this session I have learned about the four models of instruction. There were guided discovery, direct instruction, group interaction, and lecture-discussion. All of the instruction types were not familiar for me. There were many new terms that I would learn. So, I had to learn carefully and pay attention deeply. I prepared reading materials first before coming to the class to build my knowledge, because I realize that this way was really helpful to enrich my background knowledge. At that time when I was in the class, we were divided into several groups. Then we had to read texts. After that, some of us moved into expert group to discuss about one types of instruction. In these activities, we expostulated, explained, discussed, compared, explored and analyzed about certain model instruction together. Afterwards, we came back to first group to extend about what I have already understood in expert group. Then, my lecturer gave time to review and discuss together. I have learned four model instructions from my friends understanding, and recheck the understanding by lecturer. I never thought that some of instructions had been already done and practiced when I was at previous school, SEP, and teaching learning process in SSE. So, this session I have learned many new things that I did not know before. I have not only learn about what model instruction is, but also aware with different instructions, the purpose of each model, the reasons why those instructions is used and what kind of compatible instructions that I would choose when I become a teacher. 

            Model instructions that I have already gotten actually, I have understood some materials. First, it was about direct instruction. This model is applying for teacher explanation and modeling which is combined with students practice and feedback to teach concepts and procedural skills. There are some steps which are teacher usually do in teaching learning process. First, the teachers give learning objectives. Then they explain and illustrate about content to students. Next, they give model skills for students understanding. Teachers also provide scaffolding in students learning. After that students are  responsible to respond teacher’s questions, analyze examples, and practice of their skills with teacher’s scaffolding. Corrective feedback which teacher gives is needed for student’s learning. Theoretical foundations that are used in this model are teacher effectiveness, social cognitive theory which is modeling by Bandura, and the influence of interaction in learning which is social skill learning by Vygotsky. Besides that, there are essential teacher skills that it had to be established. They are a good language skill, give clear instructions, a good quality feedback, have ability to develop the lesson and give high quality of an example. In addition, there are some characteristics in direct instructions, such as reviewing the previous day’s work, presenting new material in clear and logical steps, providing guided practice, giving feedback with corrections, providing independent practice, and reviewing to consolidate learning.

            Second model of instruction is guided discovery. Guided discovery is a model instruction that involves teachers scaffolding students’ construction of concept and the relationships among them. It means that this model is formed by learner-centered instruction. It is supported by theory of cognitive development, because students develop their understanding by their own learning. The characteristics of this model are student-centered learning, the role of teacher is as a guide, teacher less explanation, and promote social instructional. So, teacher can give students opportunities to create their critical thinking and share their understanding to other person. Besides, there are five phases of guided discovery. They are introduction and review, open-ended phase, convergent phase, closure and application. Those phases are to promote student’s involvement to raise their interest of topic which teachers gave. It can be concluded that this model is dependent learning and allowed teachers to monitor the student’s development.

            Third, instruction model that I have learned is group interaction. There are five elements which is essential for conducting effective strategies. They are face-to-face interaction, group goals, individual accountability, collaborative skills, and group processing. Those elements can help students to solve problems in learning situation. The theoretical foundations are social interaction by Vygotsky. It means that students can share their idea, understand appropriately, and give articulating thinking. Thus, group interaction helps students about soft-skill, such as social interaction skills.

            The last model instruction is lecture-discussion. I understand that this model give students orally information by teacher and do discussion together to understand topic. The benefits of this model are easy to plan, flexible, and simple to implement. The theoretical foundations of lecture-discussion are information processing and meaningful verbal learning by David Ausubel. Information processing is as integration between new knowledge and previous understanding which is related and organized as network of schema. In addition, meaningful verbal learning here is the verbal or written link of schema which students establish with previous knowledge. So, students can be easier to rich the goal of learning in classroom.

            However there was still material which I have not understood clearly. It was about lecture-discussion. This part I have been still confused with the theoretical foundation and relation between the theories and the purpose of lecture-discussion. It might happen because I did not read carefully to this model. Nevertheless I asked to other friends through discussion session, but I am still confused. Thus, because of some materials I could not understand clearly, I have to find out other resources to explore this model instruction. I could search materials in the library and browsing. Actually I have to do exploration in reading and analyzing materials which is related to this topic. Then, I would ask to the lecturer as a confirmation.

            Third session of PETA class was very interesting. I could add much new knowledge that I have not known before. As a teacher candidate, today’s session would give influence to my point of view about strategies to give model instructions in the classroom.  It is very meaningful for the teacher to deliver materials and make students easy to understand every topic.

            I have already felt understanding and met my expectations in this session. I wanted to know about model instructions with example in real situation such as in the classroom because I will be a teacher, and concept to apply these model instructions. After that, my understanding is not used just for a while in this session, but I can think and develop model of instructions bravely, know about comparison between each of model instructions, explain the strengths and weaknesses, and know the benefits to give instructions.

            I think for the next session, I expect to be brave in giving explanation and reasons in discussion or other activities. So that, I have to read a lot and prepare materials before starting the class. Besides, I expect to understand other materials with more discussing and analyzing. I think it will increase comprehension to the topics.