DESCRIPTION OF DISCRETE TRIAL INSTRUCTION

Discrete Trial Instruction (DTI)

Discrete Trial Instruction describes a one to one adult to student instructional technique that teaches skills in a planned, controlled and systematic manner. DTI is used when a student needs to learn a skill, but require the information should be taught in small repeated systematic steps. DTI is an adult directed activity. It is applied during an adult to student, one to one teaching situation. Each trial or teaching opportunity has a definite beginning and end, thus the descriptor discrete trial.

The DTI program is based on the concept that students learn best when taught in a distinct behavioral pattern. Information is taught through the planned use of antecedents and consequences. Positive praise as well as tangible rewards are used to reinforce desired skills and behaviors. Negative behaviors are ignored or analyzed to determine their purpose. The student is then taught to replace the behavior with a more socially appropriate one.

Data collection is also an important part of the DTI format. The data collection process supports decision-making when planning the student’s program. Data is collected on a planned schedule in order to determine specific information about skill acquisition. The data collected should provide the teacher with information about beginning skill levels, progress, problems, acquisition, generalization and movement to the next skill level.