How Mistakes Can Impact Learning for the Better

Mistakes are a major part of learning. If your learners have never made a mistake, then chances are that your content is not challenging enough. There is nothing wrong with learners making mistakes. In fact, learning through mistakes is an effective learning method.

eLearning courses are the best environment to allow your employees to make mistakes. They can make all the wrong decisions without the organization having to face the consequences. They can experiment and practice. If they fail, they learn from their mistakes and avoid repeating the same ones in real life.

Here are some ways in which mistake-driven learning can help learners learn better.

While troubleshooting in a virtual scenario, there are no manuals. Learners have to depend on their own problem-solving skills. Every decision they take leads them to a particular path. If they make a wrong decision, it may lead to additional problems for them. This helps learners hone their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Courses that are designed around mistake-driven learning encourage learners to experiment and hone their creative side. Learners are aware that they can take risks without their actions causing any real-world damage.
When they make mistakes and are provided constructive feedback on how to correct the error, they absorb the information in their long-term memory. This experience ensures that they do not repeat the same mistake in their job role.
When your learners realize that mistakes are not looked down upon, they let go of their fears and are actually invested in the course. This builds up their confidence to learn and work.

How can you incorporate mistakes in your eLearning?

#1: Allow learners to fix their mistakes.
It is a good thing to point out mistakes to the learners. It is even better to give them a chance to correct their mistakes. Allow them to look more closely at their work and spot their mistakes. This will raise their confidence sky high.

#2: Pose problems that challenge their thinking
You may include simple assessments in the course. Answering them correctly gives learners a confidence boost. But, you should intersperse the easy questions with some difficult questions that challenge the learners’ thought process. Solving these makes them feel more accomplished.

#3: Offer detailed feedback
Offer immediate feedback to learners. They should be aware of where they are going wrong and where they have made the right connections. Do not just let them know that they are wrong, but provide elaborated feedback. The learners need to understand which areas they have not understood. Once they are made aware of the wrong behavior, they will be careful about not repeating it.

#4: Allow learners to explore the consequence of their actions.
When you include real-world scenarios, make sure the learners have a chance to explore the consequences of all the actions they take. They may make the right choice or take the wrong path. Either way, they need to experience the consequences. That is the only way for them to understand and internalize the learning.

When your employees know that they do not have to face the consequences of making mistakes, they are encouraged to try out new things and try new ideas. At the end of it, your organization will benefit from higher productivity and out-of-the-box ideas.

At Designing Digitally, Inc. we use compelling game-based learning experiences that ensure learner retention and positive behavior change. Our experts incorporate entertainment into applicable scenario-based exercises that effectively achieve knowledge transfer, and encourage employees to learn from failure.

If you are ready to improve the corporate training at your company and learn how Designing Digitally, Inc. can help you, get in touch with our team today.