Chapter 11

Instructional Methods

Instructional Methods

• Definition– Techniques or approaches that

the teacher uses to bring the learner in contact with the content to be learned

Instructional Methods

• Lecture• Group Discussion• One-to-One Instruction• Role-playing• Self-instruction

• Demonstration• Return Demonstration• Gaming• Simulation• Role-modeling

Lecture

• Definition– An instructional method in

which the teacher verbally transmits information directly to groups of learners for the purpose of education. It is highly structured.

Lecture

• Advantages

– Cost effective– Targets large groups– Useful for cognitive

domain learning

• Limitations

– Not individualized– Passive learners

Group Discussion

• Definition– An instructional method in

which learners are together to exchange information, feelings, and opinions with each other and the teacher to achieve educational objectives

Group Discussion

• Advantages

– Stimulates sharing of ideas and emotions

– Active learners– Useful for cognitive

and affective domains of learning

• Limitations

– Shy member does not participate

– Dominant member overwhelms the group

– Highly diverse groups may have difficulty interacting

One-to-One Instruction

• Definition– An instructional method

in which the teacher delivers personally designed instruction to a learner.

One-to-One Instruction

• Advantages

– Active learner– Tailored to

individual’s needs and goals

– Useful for all three learning domains

• Limitations

– Can be expensive because it is labor intensive

– Isolates learner

Demonstration

• Definition– An instructional method

in which the learner is shown by the teacher how to perform a particular skill

Demonstration

• Advantages

– Previews exact skill for the learner

– Useful for psychomotor domain learning

• Limitations

– May be expensive because all learners need to easily visualize skill. This requires use of technology or small groups.

Return Demonstration

• Definition– An instructional

method in which the learner attempts to perform a skill with cues from the teacher as needed

Return Demonstration

• Advantages

– Active learner– Individual guidance– Useful for

psychomotor domain learning

• Limitations

– Viewing individual performance is labor intensive

Gaming

• Definition– An instructional

method requiring the learner to participate in a competitive activity with preset rules to achieve an educational objective

Gaming

• Advantages

– Active learner– Perceived as “fun”

by many learners– Useful for all three

domains of learning

• Limitations

– Too competitive for some learners

Simulation

• Definition– An instructional method requiring

creation of a hypothetical or artificial experience to engage the learner in an activity that reflects real-life conditions without the risk-taking consequences of an actual experience

Simulation

• Advantages

– Active learners– Practice “reality” in a

safe setting– Useful for cognitive

and psychomotor domains of learning

• Limitations

– Labor intensive– Costs of equipment

Role-Playing

• Definition– An instructional

method where learners participate in an unrehearsed dramatization to elicit their feelings to achieve affective domain objectives

Role-Playing

• Advantages

– Active learner– Develops

“understanding” of others

– Useful for affective domain learning

• Limitations

– Learner can exaggerate or under-develop the role

Role-Modeling

• Definition– An instructional method in which the

teacher “models” or exhibits behaviors that the learner may imitate or adopt as he or she is socialized into a role. Learning from role-modeling is called identification and emanates from socialization theories.

Role-Modeling

• Advantages

– Helps with socialization into role

– Useful for affective domain learning

• Limitations

– Requires rapport between teacher and learner

Self-Instruction

• Definition– An instructional method

to provide activities that guide the learner in independently achieving the educational objectives

Self-Instruction

• Advantages

– Self-paced– Cost-effective– Consistent– Useful for cognitive

domain learning

• Limitations

– Learner may procrastinate

– Requires literacy

Factors in Selection ofInstructional Methods

• What are the predetermined objectives?

• What are the characteristics of the targeted audience?

• What resources are available?

• What are the teacher’s strengths and limitations?

Evaluation of Instructional Methods

• Did learners achieve their objectives?

• Was the activity accessible to targeted learners?

• Were available resources used efficiently?

• Did the method accommodate the learner’s needs, abilities, and style?

• Was the approach cost-effective?

Creative Techniques to Enhance Verbal Presentations

• Enthusiasm

• Humor

• Risk-taking

• Drama

• Problem-solving

• Role-modeling

• Anecdotes

• Technology

General Principles for All Teachers

• Give positive reinforcement.

• Project acceptance/sensitivity.

• Be organized, give direction.

• Elicit and provide feedback.

• Use questioning.

• Know your audience.

• Use repetition.

• Summarize key points.

Instructional Settings

• Healthcare setting

• Health-related setting

• Nonhealthcare setting

Sharing Resources

Nurses in each of the setting types can establish a health education committee to coordinate health education programming, ensure effective use of resources, and avoid duplication of efforts.