Make mistakes on purpose...
Just recently I've embraced the practice of doing things wrong on purpose. I will walk the student through a hands-on instruction and show them the wrong way based on common mistakes students or I have made in the past. Then I stop, and usually say, "Oops." I ask them why I failed. Discuss solutions and demonstrate problem solving in order to find the best way to achieve a goal. I've found this technique brings a bit of humor to the class. It definitely teaches them problem-solving skills. As an added benefit, when i do make new mistakes, my students don't really know if I'm doing it on purpose, but we'll discover the solution together.
Hi Jim,
I use this tactic as well. I have learned that if I show them the wrong way first and then show them the right way, the concept really sticks as to how it should be done. I show them if you mess up this is what will happen. I teach upper level computer classes.
Patricia
In going over material after we have worked with it or in review, partculary when using math, I show the wrong proceedure. After showing the correct proceedure I sjow what happens when they do wrong proceedure or use the wrong referencer, I do what are common mistakes made by students on test time.Our tests are multiple choice and the answer for using the wrong proceedure or not completing all proceedures.
I have had students that have been strugling through my class and previous classes tell me that by showing them the mistakes kept them alert and raised their final test score by 5 to 10 points.
Hi Matthew,
Even as adults we like rewards when we do well.
Patricia
That's great, Victoria! I had a math instructor do the same thing, but we got extra credit points instead of pizza. I have done this in my math classes as well, with great results. Students really do pay closer attention and learn in the process.
That's an interesting concept. While I have never made mistakes on purpose, my students are always quick to point out if I do make a mistake. I always tell them the importance of proofreading, so even if I spell a word incorrectly on the board, they are sure to point it out. It has become a challenge in the classroom...can they catch me making a mistake...when they do, they have to tell the class what mistake I made and how to fix it.
Hi Laura,
Mistakes will happen. When I teach Business Math, I have every problem preworked, yet there is still a chance to write down a number wrong or put a comma/decimal in the wrong place.
Patricia
Good idea of the math teacher's...I am a business instructor and recently started teaching my first math-based course: Finance. I have made a handful of mistakes so far, but it has made my students realize that not only am I human, but also that I've made those mistakes and then they know how to avoid them. I've added extra 0's, used the wrong equation, and believe me, I prepared a LOT for this course.
That's a great technique. It requires that the student pay detailed attention and they must know where/how to go about solving the problem of what the mistake was and how to correct it.
Hi Elizabeth,
Try it! It is a great attention getter, and students are really paying closer attention to the teaching, thus perhaps, understanding better.
Patricia
Hi Victoria,
This is certainly a great psychological approach. What a super way to get students to pay close attention.
Patricia
That's a good one -- I know a math instructor who tells the students he will make three mistakes over the course of the term, and if they students find them all, he'll buy them pizza at the end of the term. They pay incredibly close attention to what he does!
As silly as it sounds, I can see how this works and will probably use it. I have announced that I am going to do something the wrong way before I do it, but when you surprise them with it, it commands more attention.
