The document discusses different approaches to instruction - the generative approach and the supplantive approach. The generative approach positions the teacher as a facilitator and emphasizes student-directed learning through constructing their own understanding, while the supplantive approach involves direct, explicit instruction from the teacher with a focus on mastery of component skills. The document provides details on the underlying beliefs and common errors associated with each approach, and offers guidelines for selecting an instructional approach based on factors like the student, the task, and the setting.