The document discusses two approaches to instruction: the supplantive approach and the generative approach. The supplantive approach involves direct instruction where the teacher provides explicit directions and links new information to prior knowledge. The generative approach positions the teacher as a facilitator, providing opportunities for students to make their own connections and devise learning strategies with socially constructed knowledge. The document recommends using the supplantive approach for simple tasks with low prior knowledge and limited time, and the generative approach for complex tasks where goals can be tailored and there is ample time.