When is it appropriate to introduce distractor trials during instruction?

Introducing distractor trials during instruction is most appropriate when the target response can be completed without assistance. This is because distractor trials are designed to assess the learner's ability to respond correctly while ignoring non-relevant stimuli or information. When a student is capable of performing the target response independently, it indicates a level of mastery over that response. This mastery provides a solid foundation upon which to introduce distractors, as it helps to maintain a balance between challenging the student and ensuring they can demonstrate what they have learned.

Incorporating distractors at this stage can enhance the learning experience, as it allows for the evaluation of the student’s generalization skills and their ability to focus on relevant tasks despite the presence of distractions. This aligns with the principles of effective teaching, which emphasize the importance of assessing comprehension and retention in varied contexts.

The other scenarios, such as introducing distractor trials when the target response is uncertain or the student is distracted, may lead to confusion and hinder the learning process. Introducing them at the beginning of the lesson could overwhelm the student before they have had the chance to grasp the primary target response, which could also be detrimental to the learning objectives.