10 Ways to Help Students Cope with Making Mistakes

Students Strive for Perfection

Here are ten suggestions:

1) Be comfortable admitting when you make a mistake. Show students that it is okay to be wrong and that you can use it as an opportunity to learn.

2) Make sure to point out what a student has done right on an assignment, as well as what was incorrect.

3) Always allow your students to fix mistakes so that they can learn from them and correct any misconceptions.

4) Communicate to your students that their mistakes can help you to be a better teacher because they help you to uncover the areas that need more instruction.

5) If more than 50% of your students get a test item incorrect, throw that item out. For those who got it, you can offer them extra credit. You can always then make sure to teach the concept in your next lesson, and then include the item on the next test. 

6) Thank your students for making errors and mistakes.

7) Instead of telling a student that they are wrong or incorrect, tell them that it was a nice try, or that they are close to the right answer, and see if they can amend their response independently.

8) Recognize a student’s effort and guide them to the right answer so that they can be correct.

9) If a student provides the wrong answer, ask them why they gave you the response that they did, so you can analyze their misconception.

10) Keep a positive attitude when students make mistakes.

I'd love to hear your recommendations and thoughts on this matter!!