ETE Virtual Conf 2020 | Dr. Chris Hartwell | How Encouraging Students to Find Your Faults Empower...
Channel: Empower Teaching
Date: 2020-08-15

"How Encouraging Students to Find Your Faults Empowers Students, Improves Courses, Facilitates Learning, and Strengthens Trust."

As course instructors, it is tempting to never want to show weakness. But I have found that using extra credit as an incentive for students to point out my errors (e.g., Canvas information inconsistencies, PowerPoint typos, etc.) has not only made my courses more accurate, but it has many additional benefits. First, students are incentivized to dive into the material early (only the first student to find an error gets extra credit). Second, it makes contacting me about other questions less intimidating. Third, students tend to be more vulnerable in opening up about personal or professional concerns because of the vulnerability shown to them. There are some challenges to overcome as well. First, instructors have to be open to receiving this negative feedback. Second, the value of extra credit needs to be considered (though it doesn't take much to incentivize students). Third, it could open you up to direct attacks if not managed properly (like students always looking for mistakes or calling you out publicly during class).

USU Presenter:
Chris Hartwell, Assistant Professor