The Prompting Ladder Unpacked

Summary

The video discusses the concept of the prompting ladder in educational support, emphasizing the need to provide minimal and non-intrusive assistance to students. It highlights the importance of starting with less direct prompts, such as gestures or natural cues, rather than jumping straight to more supportive measures like full physical or verbal prompts. The speaker advocates for gradually fading support, likening the approach to climbing a ladder—beginning low and only going higher when necessary, then returning to a lower level to promote independence and confidence in students.

Takeaways

• 😀 The prompting ladder visualizes the process of providing support to students in a non-intrusive manner.
• 🚀 The goal is to offer the least intrusive support necessary to help students, rather than starting with maximum support.
• 📏 When using the prompting ladder, start at the bottom rung and only go up as needed, similar to managing fear of heights.
• 🗣️ Full physical prompts, verbal prompts, and visual prompts are at the top of the ladder and should be used sparingly.
• 🔍 Visual supports and modeling are valuable, but they should be approached cautiously and not be the first line of assistance.
• 🧩 Invisible supports, natural cues, wait time, or simple gestures are good starting points for providing help.
• 🔄 Fading support involves gradually reducing assistance from higher to lower prompts as the student becomes more independent.
• 📊 It’s crucial to remember to start at the bottom of the ladder and move up briefly before coming back down to maintain effectiveness.
• ⚖️ The process encourages balancing support with the student's comfort level and need for independence.
• 📅 Effective teaching strategies should involve adjusting levels of support dynamically based on student responses.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of fading supports in teaching?

The main purpose of fading supports is to be as unintrusive as possible with students, allowing them to gain independence while still providing necessary assistance.

What does the 'prompting ladder' refer to?

The prompting ladder is a visual metaphor used to illustrate the levels of support provided to students, emphasizing the need to start with the least intrusive prompts.

Why should educators avoid starting with the most supportive prompts?

Educators should avoid starting with the most supportive prompts, such as full physical or verbal prompts, because it can inhibit student independence and learning.

What are some examples of less intrusive supports mentioned in the transcript?

Examples of less intrusive supports include natural cues, gestures, and materials that support learning without being overly direct.

How does the analogy of being afraid of heights relate to teaching supports?

The analogy illustrates that, similar to someone afraid of heights, teachers should start with lower levels of support and gradually increase them only as necessary, before coming back down to less intrusive supports.

What does the term 'invisible supports' refer to?

Invisible supports refer to subtle aids that are not overtly visible, such as using materials, waiting time, or gestures to guide students without direct prompts.

What is the recommended approach when deciding which prompt to start with?

The recommended approach is to start with the bottom rungs of the prompting ladder, using the least intrusive supports before gradually increasing assistance if needed.

What should educators do if they find themselves needing to use high-level supports?

If educators find themselves needing to use high-level supports, they should recognize this as a sign to gradually fade back down to less intrusive supports.

Why is it important to be flexible with the levels of support provided?

Being flexible with the levels of support allows educators to tailor their approach to individual student needs, promoting autonomy while ensuring that help is available when necessary.

What is the overall goal of using the prompting ladder in educational settings?

The overall goal of using the prompting ladder is to foster student independence by providing support that is as unobtrusive as possible while still facilitating learning.