In Discrete Trial Training, how is a skill taught?

In Discrete Trial Training, how is a skill taught?

• A. In a single comprehensive lesson
• B. One step at a time through discrete trials
• C. Only through physical prompting
• D. By free exploration until mastery

Answer: (B)

In Discrete Trial Training, a skill is taught by breaking it into small steps and teaching each step through a series of discrete trials. Each trial presents a clear antecedent cue, elicits a specific learner response, and provides a defined consequence (usually reinforcement or corrective feedback). Prompts are used to help when needed, and those prompts are gradually faded as the learner starts to respond independently. Because the trials are brief, highly structured, and repeated, the instructor can measure progress precisely, adjust prompts and reinforcement, and move step by step toward mastery. Once a step is mastered, the next one is taught, building the entire skill through a sequence of discrete, data-driven trials. This approach contrasts with trying to cover a whole skill in one long lesson, relying solely on physical prompting, or using free exploration until mastery.

In Discrete Trial Training, a skill is taught by breaking it into small steps and teaching each step through a series of discrete trials. Each trial presents a clear antecedent cue, elicits a specific learner response, and provides a defined consequence (usually reinforcement or corrective feedback). Prompts are used to help when needed, and those prompts are gradually faded as the learner starts to respond independently. Because the trials are brief, highly structured, and repeated, the instructor can measure progress precisely, adjust prompts and reinforcement, and move step by step toward mastery. Once a step is mastered, the next one is taught, building the entire skill through a sequence of discrete, data-driven trials. This approach contrasts with trying to cover a whole skill in one long lesson, relying solely on physical prompting, or using free exploration until mastery.