Answer :
Final answer:
Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is an instructional approach used especially in autism education. It involves errorless learning, breaking down skills into manageable parts, and using a consistent, structured format for teaching through repeated trials. The use of prompts is common to guide correct responses, which are typically faded over time.
Explanation:
Characteristics of Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is a teaching methodology used primarily with individuals with autism to foster learning in a structured and systematic manner. DTT is characterized by its focus on breaking down complex skills into smaller, teachable components, which are then taught in a controlled environment through a series of discrete trials or lessons, often involving a prompt and a reward system.
One of the key characteristics of DTT is errorless learning, which involves guiding the learner to respond correctly during the initial learning stages to prevent the formation of incorrect habits. Contrary to what might be indicated by the question, prompts are typically used in DTT to ensure correct responses, though they are gradually faded out to promote independence.
Each trial includes several distinct steps: the instruction by the educator, the student's response, and the provision of feedback. This structure ensures consistency in teaching and allows for data collection and analysis of the student's performance. Specific trials are repeated until mastery is achieved, whereupon the difficulty of tasks is increased. The ultimate goal of DTT is to build upon learned skills, enabling the learner to apply them in more natural, less structured environments.
