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Developed by Dr. Siegfried Engelmann, Dr. Wesley Becker, and colleagues. Address: The National Institute for Direct Instruction, P. O. Box 11248, Eugene, OR 97440. Email: zig@nifdi.org. Telephone: (877) 485-1973.
Distributed by SRA/McGraw-Hill. Address: 220 East Danieldale Road, Desoto, TX 75115. Email: SRA_CustomerService@mcgraw-hill.com. Web: www.sraonline.com. Telephone: (888) SRA-4543. Computer-based Direct Instruction materials are distributed by Funnix. Web: www.funnix.com or fun@funnix.com. Telephone (for orders): (866) 732-3963. Telephone (for support): (541) 284-2441.
Organizations that provide training and in-class coaching in the Direct Instruction methodology include:
In addition, the Association for Direct Instruction sponsors workshops and conferences on Direct Instruction :
Association for Direct Instruction
P. O. Box 10252
Eugene, OR 97440
Telephone: (541) 485-1293
Web: www.adihome.org
Direct Instruction was developed in the 1960s and has been revised and renamed over the years. The Direct Instruction model was first branded as the Direct Instruction System for Teaching Arithmetic and Reading (DISTAR), which included DISTAR Reading, DISTAR Arithmetic, and DISTAR Language I (the programs used in the study reviewed for this WWC report). While Direct Instruction products have evolved over the years, the Direct Instruction approach remains the same, and the version of Direct Instruction (DISTAR) used in the studies in this report are still available and relevant to today's consumers. An overview of Direct Instruction programs for preschool and kindergarten children follows. Direct Instruction products are also available for older students, but they are not included in this report because they are not relevant to an early childhood population.
Direct Instruction materials are currently used by thousands of schools across the nation and internationally; however, specific information is not available on the number or demographics of children or centers using the materials.
Direct Instruction is a teaching technique based on extensive task analysis. Instruction is fast-paced, teacher-directed, prescribed, and explicit with all children receiving instruction on a pre-specified sequence of activities at the same time. In center-based settings, teachers typically use Direct Instruction interventions with small groups and with typically developing, disadvantaged, or at-risk children. Funnix is a computer-based program that is based on the principles of Direct Instruction but does not require substantial teacher training and is taught in one-on-one or small group settings with a teacher or tutor operating the computer. Ample opportunity is provided for cued student response, teacher reinforcement, and frequent correction. In all Direct Instruction based programs, the school staff takes responsibility for the performance of students, teachers, and instructional subgroups, and individual student progress is closely monitored. Direct Instruction is primarily used with K-12 students and adults; however, some Direct Instruction based programs have been developed for preschool children. At the time the studies the WWC reviewed were conducted, the programs used for preschool children were DISTAR Language I, DISTAR Arithmetic, and DISTAR Reading.
DISTAR Language I focuses on teaching syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic skills. Instruction is teacher-directed, with students responding to teacher instructions, questions, and visual cues and with teachers providing verbal praise for correct responses. Language for Learning (the updated version of DISTAR Language I) also uses an explicit instructional approach with scripted lessons to teach oral language skills to young children, but has larger print and pictures than DISTAR Language I. Language for Thinking (a companion to Language for Learning) is designed to teach children the basic language of instruction, concepts, and reasoning. DISTAR Arithmetic uses explicit strategies to teach children basic math skills necessary to learning difficult concepts later on (such as ratios, proportions, and data analysis). DISTAR Reading uses explicit strategies to teach children the skills they need to learn how to read (skills like blending and rhyming).
All available Direct Instruction programs have teacher materials available for purchase and customer service and customer support is available from SRA/McGraw-Hill via phone or email. Training is required to orient teachers and provide practice in executing the various program techniques. Only Reading Mastery, Language for Learning, and DISTAR Arithmetic are recommended for at-risk, low-performing preschoolers. For average and above-average preschoolers, the other programs are appropriate.
DISTAR Language I (1987 version) workbooks I and II each cost $46 for a package of five; workbook III costs $43 for a package of five. Teacher materials are no longer available. Language for Learning workbooks A, B, C, and D each cost $31 for a package of five. Teacher materials cost $660 plus $27 for an additional teacher's guide. Language for Thinking children's picture books cost $37, and a package of five workbooks costs $60. The teacher materials cost $597 and an additional teacher's guide is available for $27. Additional resources for the programs are also available for purchase.
DISTAR Arithmetic and Connecting Math Concepts are both available for kindergarten children. DISTAR Arithmetic Level I take-home workbooks I, II, and III each cost $46 for a package of five. Teacher materials cost $600 plus $27 for an additional teacher's guide and $23 for a behavioral objectives book. DISTAR Arithmetic 1975 and 1976 materials are also available for purchase. Connecting Math Concepts workbooks I and II each cost $59 for a package of five. Teacher materials cost $299; additional teacher guides, answer keys, and other materials are available for $173.
DISTAR Reading is no longer available for purchase; however, Reading Mastery Plus and Reading Mastery Classic are available for preschool children and Horizons, Journeys, and Funnix are available for kindergarten children. The student storybook for Reading Mastery Plus costs $9, workbook A costs $32 for a package of five, and workbooks B and C each cost $52 for a package of five. Teacher materials for Reading Mastery Plus cost $798 plus $27 for an additional teacher's guide. Reading Mastery Classic storybooks I, II, and III each cost $17 and workbooks A, B, and C each cost $52 for a package of five. Teacher materials for Reading Mastery Classic cost $612 plus $27 for an additional teacher's guide. Other additional resources are also available for both Reading Mastery programs. Funnix Beginning Reading costs $129 and includes two instructional discs, a tutorial overview disc, and a student workbook.
Horizons literature collection level A (kindergarten) costs $138 plus $30 for an additional literature guide. Level A textbook I costs $29 and textbooks II and III each cost $33. Level A workbooks I, II, and III each cost $52 for a package of five. Level A teacher materials cost $597 plus $27 for an additional teacher's guide. Fast track materials are also available for purchase. Journeys kindergarten textbook costs $29 and workbooks I, II, and III each cost $52 for a package of five. Teacher materials cost $798 plus $27 for an additional teacher's guide.
|Institute of Education Sciences
