The preparation step in instructional methods is best understood as the planning phase where the instructor outlines the objectives, prepares materials, and organizes the flow of the lesson. This foundational component is crucial for ensuring that the instructional goals are met effectively.
By focusing on the preparation phase, the instructor sets the stage not only for the content delivery but also for engaging the learners right from the start. This alignment of objectives and the means to achieve them is often referred to as the motivation step, as it lays the groundwork for engaging students and generating interest in the subject matter. A successful motivation step enhances learner involvement and encourages participation.
While other terms like planning step and orientation step are relevant in instructional contexts, they do not encompass the idea of engaging and motivating learners as strongly as the motivation step does, which emphasizes the importance of capturing student interest as part of preparation.