During maintenance training, what is the primary focus regarding how the learner performs skills?

During maintenance training, the primary focus is on the learner's ability to demonstrate independent skill applications. This phase of training is crucial, as it seeks to ensure that learners can effectively apply the skills they have learned in real-world scenarios without the need for prompts or assistance.

Independent skill application indicates that the learner has internalized the skills and can utilize them flexibly in various contexts, which is the ultimate goal of behavioral training. Emphasizing independence helps in promoting generalization of the learned skills, meaning that the individual is not just reciting them in isolation but using them in practical situations, which is essential for effective mastery.

The other options do not align with the goal of maintenance training. Performing a skill perfectly may not be realistic or necessary; instead, the focus is on proficiency in context. Not performing the skill in isolation ignores the need for application in real-life scenarios. Avoiding any mistakes isn’t conducive to learning since making and correcting mistakes can be integral to the learning process as the individual refines their skills over time. The emphasis should always be on the ability to apply skills independently and appropriately in a variety of settings.