Which chaining method involves using prompts only when needed?

The chaining method that involves using prompts only when needed is responsive chaining. This approach focuses on providing assistance to the learner only when they show signs of difficulty or when they require guidance to complete a step in a task. It promotes independent learning by minimizing unnecessary prompts, ultimately encouraging the learner to engage with the task more autonomously.

In this method, as the learner becomes more proficient, the reliance on prompts diminishes, fostering their self-efficacy and confidence. This makes responsive chaining particularly effective for skills that might be complex or require gradual mastery over time.

Other chaining methods, such as total task chaining, involve teaching the entire sequence of a task in one go, often providing prompts throughout the entire process, which does not align with the principle of prompting only when necessary.