Trainers' personal methods compared to two structured training strategies.

Training methods naturally employed by trainers were analyzed and compared to systematic structured training procedures. Trainers first taught using their own (personal) method, which was recorded in terms of types of prompts given, timing of prompts, consequences, and type of task sequencing. Trainers were then required to teach by using either a structured whole method or backward chaining. Trainers used more preresponse prompts than error-correction prompts and more praise than reprimands in their personal methods. Fewest errors and lowest error rates were associated with the backward chaining method and preresponse prompts. Most errors and highest error rates were associated with the structured whole method and postresponse (error-correction) prompts. Consequences did not yield systematic variation in time to criterion.