When is the best time to provide feedback to a student learning a new skill in the lab?

Providing feedback when an error is first observed is crucial for effective learning and skill acquisition. This immediate feedback allows students to recognize and correct mistakes while the experience is still fresh in their minds. By addressing errors right away, instructors can help students understand the correct techniques and concepts, which facilitates rapid improvement.

Additionally, this approach enhances retention of the material, as the student can connect the feedback directly with their actions. It cultivates a learning environment where students can feel supported and encouraged to learn from their mistakes in real-time, ultimately leading to better mastery of the skill.

The other options suggest delaying feedback until after the skill is completed or mastered, which can result in ingrained errors and hinder the student’s learning process. Providing feedback at the end of the session may not provide the same immediate corrective benefit, and feedback given only after mastery skips opportunities for important learning moments during practice.