What should an instructor ensure when demonstrating skills to students?

When demonstrating skills to students, it is crucial for the instructor to ensure that students can verbalize the steps of the skill. This signifies that they not only understand the procedural elements involved but are also able to articulate them, which deepens their comprehension and retention of the material. Being able to verbalize the steps indicates that the students have internalized the information and can recall it, which is essential in practical applications where they may need to follow or instruct others in similar tasks.

This verbalization process encourages active participation in the learning experience, helping students to engage more with the content. It also serves as a formative assessment tool, giving the instructor insight into the students' grasp of the skill being taught. When students can express the steps in their own words, it often facilitates smoother execution during hands-on practice.