Where to Learn About Direct Instruction

I’m frequently asked for places to go to learn about Direct Instruction.

So, here’s a summary.

I’d probably suggest starting with ‘Psychology Learning Resources,’ for an intro / overview.

Then, The Components of Direct Instruction might be the best summary of the main principles.

 

Books

• Solity (2008) – The Learning Revolution
• Engelmann & Carnine (1982)  – Theory of Instruction (the magnus opus)
• Engelmann (1992) – War! Against the Schools’ Academic Child Abuse
• Engelmann & Carnine (2011) – Could John Stuart Mill Have Saved Our Schools?
• Stockard (2017) – The Science and Success of Direct Instruction
• Engelmann (2014) – Successful and Confident Students with Direct Instruction
• Wood (2014) – Engelmann’s Direct Instruction: Selected Writings From the Past Half Century

Note:  The magnus opus can be obtained as a free PDF, here (thanks to David for pointing this out in the comments!)

 

Other

• Psychology Learning Resources
• Engelmann (2006) – Rubric for Identifying Authentic Direct Instruction Programs
• Barbash (2012) – Clear Teaching
• Rosenshine (2008) – Five Meanings of Direct Instruction
• Carnine (2000) – Why Education Experts Resist Effective Practices
• Snider (2004) – A Comparative Study of Spiral versus Strand Curriculum
• Blog – e=mc2andallthat (2015) – Engelmann and Direct Instruction
• Blog – Insights from Direct Instruction via @tom_needham_
• Binder (1990) – Precision Teaching and Direct Instruction

 

Infographics

Finally, three fantastic infographics produced by Ben Gordon and Oliver Caviglioli.  I think these are excellent for structure and summary, but I can see how someone brand new to the topics might struggle to get any deep meaning / direction from them.  But, they’re a brilliant primer to kick off, get stuck into some deep reading, then come back to them – they’ll really help structure your thoughts!

• Five Meanings of Direct Instruction
• Clear Teaching – A Visual Summary
• DI Timeline

 

That oughta do it!