Direct Instruction – Background, Description and Research

Abstract

The decision of the Australian Association of Special Education to sponsor a national study to investigate the effectiveness of Direct Instruction with mildly retarded children, is the climax of several years of burgeoning interest in and support for the approach. Initial advocacy of Direct Instruction was undertaken by Alex Maggs and his co-workers at Macquarie University (Bracey, et al 1975a, 1975b; Maggs and Morath, 1975, 1976a, 1976b; and Maggs and Moore, 1978). Today, proponents of the approach may be found in any number of schools, colleges and universities across the country.