A science teacher wants to introduce a complex new topic and ensure students grasp the basic concept before exploring it further. The teacher begins by explaining the key terms and demonstrating the process. Which instructional strategy is being used?

Dual coding refers to the integration of verbal and visual information to enhance learning. While this approach can support understanding, it does not specifically describe the teacher's method of directly explaining terms and demonstrating processes. Thus, it is not the primary strategy being employed in this scenario.

Inquiry-based learning emphasizes student-driven exploration and discovery, where learners investigate questions or problems rather than receiving direct instruction. This approach is characterized by minimal teacher-led explanations, making it unsuitable for the scenario where the teacher is explicitly teaching key concepts.

Concept mapping is a visual representation of relationships among concepts, often used to organize and structure knowledge. While it can be a helpful tool after initial instruction, it does not encapsulate the direct teaching method used by the teacher to introduce the topic. The teacher's focus on explanation and demonstration is not characteristic of concept mapping.