Which of the following is considered a major characteristic of direct instruction?

The correct answer, which emphasizes a focus on explicit, guided teaching methods, aligns perfectly with the principles of direct instruction. This instructional approach is grounded in a structured format where teachers clearly define lesson objectives, provide clear explanations, and model the skills being taught. The method typically involves systematic steps that encourage mastery of content through direct instruction from the teacher.

In this approach, teachers guide students through the learning process, ensuring that instruction is explicit and focused on specific learning outcomes. This structured teaching model contrasts with more open or inquiry-based approaches, where student-led discussion and exploration take precedence and the role of the teacher may shift to one of facilitation rather than direct teaching.

By focusing on this explicit and guided teaching, direct instruction aims to enhance student understanding and retention of knowledge, making it a highly effective method for teaching foundational skills, particularly in subjects like math and reading. This characteristic of direct instruction is why this option represents the core principle of the approach.