Defining Explicit Teaching and Direct Instruction

Something about the label, direct instruction, seems to conjure images of boring lectures. The change to using explicit instruction was probably, at least in part, an attempt to remedy this, just like how testing got changed to retrieval practice to avoid associations with standardized tests. Retrieval is still testing, and explicit instruction is still direct, … Continue reading Defining Explicit Teaching and Direct Instruction

S4E13: Catherine Thevenot on Counting on Your Fingers

Should students be taught to count on their fingers? Today I am excited to bring you an interview with Catherine Thevenot. Catherine is a researcher at the Institute of Psychology at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. Her work focuses on cognitive development, particularly in the area of numerical cognition and arithmetic skills in children. … Continue reading S4E13: Catherine Thevenot on Counting on Your Fingers

The Literacy View & Lucy Calkins

I was recently invited to speak on The Literacy View, where we had a laugh and discussed some of the policies that are being put in place to filter out nonsense in some of the worst reading programs, like three cueing. We also sipped to our concerns that the gurus of balanced literacy past may … Continue reading The Literacy View & Lucy Calkins

S4E12: Jan Hasbrouck on Reading Fluency and Direct Instruction

Welcome back to Progressively Incorrect. My name is Dr. Zach Groshell, and today I am excited to bring you an interview with Jan Hasbrouck, the keynote speaker at NIFDI’s 2025 National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes. Dr. Hasbrouck is a renowned researcher and author with a distinguished career dedicated to improving literacy and educational outcomes. Dr. … Continue reading S4E12: Jan Hasbrouck on Reading Fluency and Direct Instruction

Just Tell Them, Don’t Play Guessing Games

Today I was interviewed by Robert Pondiscio, who has hosted talks by me before. It will be a while before that article is published, so in the meantime, I thought I would share two media appearances of my new book, Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching. 1. Just Tell Them: A … Continue reading Just Tell Them, Don’t Play Guessing Games

S4E11: Sally Bergquist on Explicit Writing Lessons for K-2

Welcome back to Progressively Incorrect, I am your host, Dr. Zach Groshell. This episode is a conversation between me and Sally Bergquist. Sally is an extremely talented and experienced teacher, and she recently challenged me to teach my child to write with her Engelmann-inspired writing program. It was an enormous pleasure to be able to … Continue reading S4E11: Sally Bergquist on Explicit Writing Lessons for K-2

Explicit Teaching: A Podcast and a Webinar

Training opportunity approaching!!! I am hosting a free instructional coaching webinar on November 25, 2024. Sign up here and join me and special guests to learn about Steplab’s platform and approach to responsive coaching. Several people have asked me recently if explicit teaching and structured learning is making a comeback. I cannot be sure, because the people who … Continue reading Explicit Teaching: A Podcast and a Webinar

Harnessing the science of learning Progressively Incorrect by Zach Groshell

S4E10: Nathaniel Swain, Steven Capp, and Katie Roberts-Hull on Harnessing the Science of Learning

Welcome back to Progressively Incorrect, a show sponsored by John Catt from Hodder Education and hosted by me, Dr. Zach Groshell. John Catt publishes some of the best books in education, including my book, Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching. It is now Amazon's newest BEST-SELLING book in education! Listen and … Continue reading S4E10: Nathaniel Swain, Steven Capp, and Katie Roberts-Hull on Harnessing the Science of Learning

4 researchED Keynotes You Can Watch for Free

I am hosting a free instructional coaching webinar on November 25, 2024. Sign up here and join me and special guests to learn about Steplab's platform and approach to responsive coaching. I recently had the opportunity to present at researchED Chile. You can listen to me interview Rodrigo Lopez, the conference organizer, on Progressively Incorrect about … Continue reading 4 researchED Keynotes You Can Watch for Free

How Steplab Supercharges Instructional Coaching

Are you a principal who is looking to develop talent, foster an open-door culture and a shared language of teaching, and raise student learning outcomes? Are you an instructional coach who is looking to improve your ability to analyze teaching, diagnose next steps, and provide feedback and resources to teachers? Are you a head of … Continue reading How Steplab Supercharges Instructional Coaching