What teaching technique involves an instructor performing a task for students?

The correct answer, demonstration, refers to a teaching technique where the instructor physically shows how to perform a specific task or skill. This approach allows students to observe the correct methods in real-time and provides a visual context that can enhance understanding. By watching the instructor perform the task, students can grasp nuances and techniques that may not be fully conveyed through verbal explanations alone. Demonstrations are particularly effective in hands-on fields like cosmetology, where the practical application of skills is crucial for effective learning.

In contrast, other methods such as lectures primarily involve the instructor sharing information verbally without practical application, leaving students to interpret the information without seeing it in action. Discussions encourage student participation and exploration of ideas but do not entail a demonstration of tasks. Group work focuses on collaboration among students rather than instructor-led task performance. These methods lack the direct, hands-on guidance that a demonstration offers, which is vital for developing proficiency in practical skills.