Sharing Mistakes

Description:

In 2.678, Steve Banzaert created a Slack channel to feature what he calls “Unintentional Learning”–ie, when people (including instructors) make mistakes.

Steps:

• An instructor starts off by sharing a mistake, large or small, that they made in the class/lab and the unintended lesson that came from the mistake.
• Instructors can facilitate a conversation about mistakes being a part of the learning process.
• Instructors then invite teaching staff and students to share further examples throughout the semester.

Rationale:

• Creating space for students and instructors to share mistakes and normalize failure.
• Students can learn from each others’ failures- the TLL Flipping Failure website has a great compilation of stories from students who have overcome failures at MIT.