February 7, 2017

EDGE Method


The EDGE method is a four step method for teaching a skill:
  • Explain
  • Demonstrate
  • Guide
  • Enable

Explain

First explain what you will be doing. Tell them the steps involved. Visual aids might be helpful for this step. Use questions to gauge their understanding.

Demonstrate

Show them how to do the skill. Demonstrate the steps using the actual materials. Describe what you are doing.


Guide

Let them practice the skill. Guide and coach them as they try to do it themselves. This step will take the most time.


Enable

Enable them by letting them do the skill themselves without any intervention.

Example of Teaching EDGE Exercise

An exercise with paper airplanes to help the participants understand teaching EDGE:
  • Explain: Explain how they would make a paper airplane.
  • Demonstrate: Get out a piece of paper and show them how to make the paper airplane.
  • Guide: Give each of them a piece of paper and described each step, and have them do it with their pieces of paper.
  • Enable: Give them each another piece of paper and tell them to make a paper airplane on their own.