What instructional method always includes a performance step?

The method that always includes a performance step is demonstration. This instructional approach is characterized by showing learners how to perform a particular task or procedure, thereby providing a clear model for them to understand and replicate. The performance step is crucial in this context because it allows learners to observe the desired skill or behavior in action, absorbing the nuances of the technique being taught.

During a demonstration, the instructor typically performs the task while explaining each step, and learners are encouraged to pay attention to the details. The instructional method is effective because it fosters both visual and auditory learning, engaging multiple senses and enhancing retention. After observing the demonstration, learners are often prompted to practice the skill themselves, solidifying their understanding through hands-on experience.

In contrast, other instructional methods may not necessarily incorporate a performance aspect. For instance, discussions primarily facilitate dialogue and idea exchange, while dramatizations and simulations might involve role-playing or recreating scenarios but may not guarantee a structured performance step in the same way that demonstrations do. This establishes demonstration as the distinctive method that mandates active engagement through a performance element.