Final answer:
The Prompt Hierarchy is a strategy that involves providing support, starting from the most intrusive to the least intrusive prompts, to help students learn and perform tasks independently over time. Levels of prompting include full physical assistance, partial physical assistance, modeling, gestural, verbal, visual, and natural cues. Prompt fading is key for building student autonomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Prompt Hierarchy is a teaching strategy used to give students the appropriate level of assistance to complete a task. From most intrusive to least intrusive, prompts can include Full Physical Assistance (hand-over-hand), Partial Physical Assistance, Modelling or Demonstrating, Gestural Prompts, Verbal Prompts, Visual Prompts, and finally, the use of Natural Cues or Natural Prompt. It is paramount for the support to fade over time, consequently bolstering the learner's independence.
In an educational setting, instructors should start with least intrusive prompts to encourage the student's autonomy, and only escalate to more intrusive prompts when necessary. Each prompt level should be carefully chosen based on the student's specific needs and abilities, aiming to provide the minimal support needed to achieve success. With practice and the right support, students can often progress to responding to less intrusive prompts.
Tutors use the prompt hierarchy as a framework to support learners in a structured and effective manner. Starting with the most supportive prompts and gradually reducing to more independent prompts ensures that skills are learned and retained in a way that promotes confidence and self-reliance. This gradual reduction of guidance is known as prompt fading.