logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
20m 31s

Direct Instruction Programs

Shira Karpel & Shayna Gaunt
About this episode

We typically use direct instruction programs with some of our advanced learners, especially when working towards academic goals. Direct instruction programs are based on ABA principles and designed around reviewing previously mastered skills and moving in small increments to help our learners feel successful. Here, we cover some of our favorite direct instruction programs and provide tips on how to use them most effectively.

We walk through the history of direct instruction programs in American school districts and how the focus shifted towards adoption within the special needs area. We share all our go-to direct instruction programs to help learners with reading, language and comprehension, spelling, math, and writing. We also talk about targeting concepts individually and data collection. 

What’s Inside:

  • The history of direct instruction programs
  • Our favorite direct instruction programs by learning topic
  • How to use direct instruction programs most effectively


Mentioned In This Episode:
HowToABA.com/join
How to ABA on YouTube
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
National Institute for Direct Instruction: NIFDI

Up next
Jul 8
Video Modeling and Model Me Kids with Sue Klein
For over 20 years, Model Me Kids has helped learners build real-world social skills through evidence-based video modeling. We sat down with founder Sue Klein to explore how it all began, from cutting out magazine clippings and mailing DVDs to launching a fully customizable stream ... Show More
22m 54s
Jul 1
Building Social Skills Goals
Have you ever written a social skills goal that looked great on paper but didn’t lead to real-life success? In this conversation, we dive into how to create meaningful social skills goals that build genuine connection, confidence, and independence. We explore why social skills ar ... Show More
16m 31s
Jun 24
The Power of Sensory Social Routines
Ever wonder how playful moments like peekaboo or a silly song can support meaningful progress in young children with autism? Here, we explore sensory social routines and how the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) uses them to build engagement, communication, and joint attention thro ... Show More
19m 16s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2023
Exploring Alternatives To Pull-out Services in School-based OT
As a school-based Practitioner, have you ever thought about exploring alternatives to traditional pull-out sessions?If you're looking to expand your scope of practice, increase work efficiency, and provide more individualized services in the least restrictive environment, tu ... Show More
40m 24s
Jan 2024
Why Cohort-Based Learning is so Effective for Adults
On today's episode, I'm going to break down why cohort based learning is so effective for adults. I'll cover my best tips for creating cohorts for your learning experiences and share the pitfalls to avoid.  👉 Mentioned Links: Transcript 👉 Recommendations: 🎓Take your instructio ... Show More
19 m
Feb 2024
Why Learning Environments Deeply Matter
Today's episode is all about learning environments! You'll learn about the four different spaces and how making small changes can lead to huge results. 👉 Mentioned Links: Transcript 👉 Recommendations: 🎓Take your instructional design skills to the next level 📚So, you want to b ... Show More
19m 35s
Apr 2023
What are your Top Tips for Teaching English?
In this final episode of series 2, we ask 19 experienced ELT professionals to give us their top tips for teaching English effectively. These tips cover five key areas, namely: the importance of personalisation and context; criticality; humanistic approaches to teaching language; ... Show More
31m 26s
Jul 2023
Amanda Vaughn - From Teacher to Instructional Designer
Amanda was a teacher for 15 years and then decided to become an instructional designer! We chat about her story, her best advice for teachers trying to transition, and what it was like being in the first cohort of Instructional Design Institute. Video Interview Resources 🎓Take y ... Show More
39m 22s
Jan 2022
How can teach online effectively?
The last two years have seen a rush to teaching online, driven largely by the COVID-19 pandemic. But whilst some teachers had considerable experience teaching remotely, for others it was a completely new experience. In episode 5, we learn from Plan Ceibal (Ceibal en Inglés), an i ... Show More
27m 28s
Feb 2020
Episode 6: Educational Planning
We hope you've been enjoying this series. We'd love to hear your feedback. Please take this short survey: bit.ly/2UxmuvV ‘Effective educational planning means that time, money and energy are used productively to genuinely improve the outcomes of education for individuals … and fo ... Show More
25m 47s
Jun 2024
Episode 191: Shortcast 151: Humanizing Teaching Practices
Zach is joined by Paul France to discuss practices that foster personalized learning and make teaching more sustainable. Read a summary of this episode on the Modern Classrooms Project blog. Show Notes Paul's new book, "Make Teaching Sustainable" Paul's previous books, "R ... Show More
14m 54s
Apr 2023
Getting Started Teaching Online
🎙️ Welcome to ESL Talk! 🎙️ A podcast for English Teachers, by English Teachers. In this episode, we talk to Tim, the Online Teacher Dude, about building a business online. We learn about his process for getting started in the online teaching space and how to differentiate yours ... Show More
28m 52s