Which of the following is one of the four steps of instruction?

The correct choice is evaluation, as it is one of the essential steps in the instructional process. Evaluation involves assessing the understanding and skill level of participants after instruction has taken place. This step is crucial because it provides feedback on both the effectiveness of the instructional material and the teaching methods used. By evaluating learners' retention and comprehension, instructors can identify areas where additional reinforcement might be necessary, or where instructional strategies may need to be adjusted to improve future learning experiences.

Preparation, instruction, and implementation, while important, do not encompass the full cycle of teaching as effectively as evaluation does. In the context of instruction, these steps may relate to planning the lesson, delivering content, and executing the training, respectively, but they do not account for the necessary assessment phase that evaluates the success of those preceding steps. Evaluation ensures that the educational objectives are met and that learners leave with the knowledge and skills intended.