This instructional technique comes from CTLT’s Instructional Skills Workshop materials. How do you think this technique can and should be adapted to interdisciplinary learning contexts and content?

Demonstration and Practice

Demonstration and practice is useful for learning a task involving development of a skill. Ultimately, the learner should perform the learning task to a satisfactory standard on his or her own. A demonstration and practice session:

• assists learners to master a motor skill
• assists with transforming theory to application
• should be followed by a period of questions and answers
• is best in smaller groups
• must have individual instruction during practice period
• allows a high group involvement

Instructor’s Role

• prepare proper equipment for demonstration
• must be confident of her or his own ability to perform the task
• introduce the theory and purpose
• describe the steps of the operation
• proceed slowly
• review procedures and answer questions
• assist in practice

Learners’ Role

• understand purpose of demonstration
• listen actively and watch carefully
• ask questions
• suggest new ideas or alternative methods
• practice steps of procedure
• apply new knowledge