For many students, failure is not an option. However, failure can often be more productive than an easy success. Where we fail is where we need to focus and improve. Creating an atmosphere where students feel safe to try out and--initially--fail at new ideas and skills is essential to authentic learning. This freedom to fail can be built into assignments and assessments. Large projects can be broken down into multiple steps with instructor feedback or peer review for each stage. Pretests or low stakes quizzes can give students an accurate reflection of their progress and practical insight into where they need to focus their attention.

 

Last fall, public speaking expert and communications professor at Arizona State University Steven Vrooman visited ETSU and shared some strategies and exercises to help students fail productively, and even have some fun doing so!