Convincing and training instructors to adopt new methods of teaching cognitive skill, is a challenge for General Education Office at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. This research article presents a conceptual framework for instructor development that derived from an analysis of the reflections from 58 participants in a workshop: how to teach cognitive skill with skill-based learning approach. It used Tracing activity as a learning tool. The research team used participatory observation, content analysis and analytic induction. The result unveils the positive impact of direct experience, in terms of the process. The activity was very well received by the participants. The new method was adopted by all at the end of the workshop. Feedback and sharing were a key mechanism in stimulating adapting the new knowledge to their teaching tasks. From participants’ viewpoints, when designing a teaching competence development workshop, the designers should understand 1 ) meanings of participants reactions when adopting new knowledge; 2) ways in which direct experiences can be delivered; and 3) techniques in improvement of teaching skills.

Key words: Instructor development, Teaching skill, direct experience, cycle of expertise.