CREATING SOFT FAILURES HELPING STUDENTS LEARN TO SUCCEED

CREATING “SOFT” FAILURES: HELPING STUDENTS LEARN TO SUCCEED Dave Mc. Call Kristin Conley Monica Frees

Session Overview • Background on Failing to Succeed • Introduction to the idea of Soft Failures • Course Design – UNIV 101 – College Study Methods • Best Practice Discussion • OER – Google Docs

We All Fail Please go to www. menti. com Enter 21 83 65 When students fail, what is their general perception of failure/failing?

Fear of Failing • Many students become “paralyzed” by the Fear of Failing • The fear of failure paired with feelings of self-doubt can lead to self-sabotaging and procrastination.

Your Failures On the notecard provided, please write down a time when you have failed at something. Also, think about what you may have learned from that failure, and what actions or changes it may have led to.

Failing is Part of Life • Failing is a guaranteed and inevitable part of life and learning. • Failure is life's greatest teacher.

Famous Failures • MLB Career Batting Average Leader – Ty Cobb -. 366 (. 634) • J. K. Rowling – Harry Potter was rejected 12 times • WD-40 (water displacement – 40 th attempt) – It took 40 attempts to get it right

Activity Paired Activity

Failure in Education • Failure has become associated with our downfalls, particularly in this era of highstakes accountability. • Many students only focus on the end grade… not the learning that should be taking place. • Failure can often result in loss of opportunity, regression, or stagnation.

Changes in Education Brainstorm Session What are some changes you have seen in education that either embrace or discredit failure?

Reflecting on Your Failures • Look back at what you wrote on the notecard – What did you learn from your failure? – How did your perception of the event change? – What actions or changes did this lead to?

Flipping Failure • We must create a culture that embraces failure as stepping stones. • Students must learn that failure, while tough at the moment, opens the door to the most prominent learning human can know. • John Dewey said it best: "Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks, learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes. "

Flipping Failure • Failure (soft failures) should be an intentional part of effective curriculum design. • We must allow students the time and support to learn from their failures. • Using formative assessments

Getting Students To Accept Failure in the Classroom 1. New Goal is introduced. Inadequacy gone in player; player has new skills. The Failure. Improvement Cycle found in gaming 3. Player searches for failure cause and improves 2. Failure presents the player as inadequate.

Creation of UNIV 100 Introduction to College Study Methods Course Description: • This college methods course will assist students in the development and use of effective and efficient time management, self-management, resource management and study strategies that can be utilized to help you better succeed in your college courses. Note: This is a Blended course which means that we use Blackboard for part of this class.

UNIV 100 Outcomes Learning Outcomes: q Students will develop strategies to help them achieve learning goals. q Students will develop effective time management and concentration strategies. q Students will develop effective strategies for studying and test taking.

UNIV 100 Class Structure UNIV 100 - Scope and Sequence - [Base on a 50 minute class period once per week. ] Week 1 – Intro to class Discuss Syllabus and Create Class Norms Work on building a class community; Mini-lesson or Activity that illustrates the importance of building a strong community while in college. Week 2 – Intro to project Go over project handout Handout topics for research and have students begin working Week 3 -4 Work on project independently Monitor progress…help when asked and make sure you are available. However, do not prod students to do more because this could be a valuable learning experience about selfmonitoring/ self- management. Week 5 - Project due- Have students submit assignment online and do not meet with them. Instructor time to grade. Make sure that papers/ projects are returned to students by the next class period, which is the next week! Week 6 - Project returned Student identifies areas of strength and weakness. Reflect on each Identify at least three areas to research and prepare to fix project and present to a small group. Mini –lesson about the importance of reflection and learning or learning through mistakes Week 7 - Week 9 Each week work on at least one area of weakness Give mini lessons each week for 10 - 15 minutes Week 10 Work with group to create presentation Mini Lesson 10 -15 minutes Week 11 Work with a group to create a presentation Mini Lesson 10 -15 minutes Week 12 Work with group to create a presentation Mini Lesson 10 -15 minutes- This needs to be about presentations Week 13 Present with one/two groups Week 14 Present with one/two groups Week 15 Revised Project/ Peer Review Week 16 Resubmit Project – No class •

UNIV 100 Student Feedback “More independence at the college level. ” “Teachers do not care. ” “You are held to a higher standard in college. ” “It is definitely true when if you are an “A” student in high school you will be a “C” student in college. ”

UNIV 100 Class Reflection Modeling Of Our Reflection on the Course

Research • How to be a Successful Failure: A practical guide to messing up big time, the right way (2011) – Kenneth Cole • Learning to Fail Successfully – What failure really is and why it is a good idea to fail more often – How to get the most out of your failures – How to fail your way to success

Research • Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder (2014) – Nassim Nicholas Taleb • Antifragility – The degree to which our reactions to unexpected failures allow improvement. – “Failure is simply too common and too useful to be neglected. ”

Research • Geeks and Geezers (2002) – Warren G. Bennis, & Robert J. Thomas • Crucible Moments – Success most often emerges as a result of a person’s ability to adapt to a crisis or challenge. – Monumental moments in our lives always have a real chance of failure. – Adaptive Capacity

Research • Students Learn to Fail and Recover – Sarah D. Sparks – 2014 • Three Step Process to Improvement – Submit an "error analysis" of what went wrong. – An explanation of how they determined the correct answer. – A strategy for how they will remember the content in the future.

Incorporating Soft Failures Brainstorm Session How could you incorporate the idea of soft failures into your courses?

Successful Failures • Learning to fail and learn will not only pay off now, but may be the greatest life lesson of all time. • Set high standards and do not be afraid to let students know that they have not met that standard. – At the same time, provide them with the resources and time that they need to reach them.

Thank You Contact Information Davidmccall@ferris. edu Kristinconley@ferris. edu Monicafrees@ferris. edu Reminder: Leave your email address if you would like access to the Open Educational Resources on Student Success https: //drive. google. com/drive/folders/1 Ho. Nc 6 Uqv. Ownk. Ju 0 FUTKT 1 Kk. Pyn. GRP 9 U? usp=sharing