What is Errorless Learning?
Errorless learning is a teaching strategy that uses prompting and manipulation of the environment to ensure the student doesn’t make mistakes. Errorless learning begins with the most intrusive prompt. Using the most intrusive prompt right away ensures student success. See below for a hierarchy showing the most to least intrusive.
You can use errorless learning in a variety of ways in the classroom. Let me show you how!
1. Pre-teach a new skill
Some students with autism or special needs have difficulty learning new skills. It might be helpful to start with errorless tasks. You may pre-teach the skill in a field of 1 or, in other words- present the skill in isolation. For example, if you would like the student to identify the number 4. Place the number 4 in front of the student without any other numbers presented. Ask the student, “give me 4, “show me 4,” or “find 4.” Engage the student in 3-5 trials in isolation before introducing a distractor (another number) to the table.
The goal is to ensure the student cannot make mistakes! – hence the term “errorless learning.” Some students may also need a physical prompt, such as gesturing toward the number.
2. Boost Confidence + Gain Behavioral Momentum
An errorless approach can boost confidence in students with difficulty with academic performance. Errorless tasks ensure students are successful! Increasing confidence can also gain behavioral momentum. Many students with problems completing tasks need to gain behavioral momentum before starting more complex tasks. A few errorless trials might be the answer!
3. Introduce Independent Learning
Errorless tasks are the first type of tasks I use when introducing students to independent learning. It is so helpful to have students in a self-contained classroom work independently, plus it’s a valuable life skill. Errorless tasks enable the focus to be on independent skills, rather than academics. Some tasks that work perfectly as errorless learning tasks include:
- “put in” tasks
- errorless adapted books or file folder games
- vocational tasks (folding socks, putting silverware in sleeves, etc.)
Errorless adapted books can be fun with colorful clipart or real photos! Check out my set of seasonal errorless books below. My students love completing these in independent centers!
I hope you find value in errorless learning in your classroom!