An instructor uses a new teaching technique during a lesson that is unsuccessful. What course of action should the teacher take?

The most effective course of action when a teaching technique is unsuccessful is to analyze the cause of failure, make corrections, and try it again. This approach allows the instructor to reflect on what went wrong, understand the underlying issues, and make the necessary adjustments to improve future lessons.

By engaging in this reflective practice, the instructor develops a deeper understanding of their teaching methods and the learning needs of their students. This ongoing cycle of evaluation and adaptation is crucial in the teaching profession, as it enables continuous improvement and promotes better learning outcomes.

Other options may seem appealing but do not contribute to long-term development. Ignoring the failure, for instance, would prevent any learning from the experience. Asking for feedback from other instructors, while valuable in some contexts, does not directly address the instructor's specific situation unless the feedback leads to actionable insights. Completely changing the lesson might be premature without understanding the specifics of what didn't work, potentially missing opportunities to refine an otherwise potentially effective method.