The Wrong Example
‘Good‘ examples are often used in education based on the the assumption that students can learn from them ‘how things should be done‘. However, it is sometimes difficult for students to recognise what exactly is good about it, or to apply the good example themselves. That is why students are shown the wrong example in this learning activity. By doing so, they not only learn the correct application of certain principles, but also how to recognise violations. After all, critical reflection on one’s own actions requires not only that one knows how something should be done, but also that one recognises when it is done incorrectly.
On-campus
The activity takes about 10 to 30 minutes and could be done with more than 60 students in an on-campus setting.
Manual
Supplies Needed
- A wrong example, such as an incorrect formula or an incorrect paper.
Set-up classroom
Students work together or individually, a simple classroom set-up, such as a U-shape would be sufficiënt.
Optionally: Using a Teaching and Learning Lab or a Learning Plaze could be suggested, when you want a flexible use of furniture during class. Students could use the whiteboard walls of the Teaching and Learning Lab to collaborate and pitch their findings to other students.
Step 1. (Preparation)
Prepare the wrong example for students to use and reflect on. Optionally, also prepare a ‘good’ example for students to compare. A combination of the proposed theory or application students have to study and the example would be effective students.
Step 2. (During class)
Discuss the theory you would like to discuss with the students. Optionally, use the prepared ‘good‘ example in which the theory is put into practice in the right way. This gives the students the opportunity to recognise the correct application of the theory.
Step 3. (During class)
Then present the students an example of how the theory is put into practice in the wrong way.
Step 4. (During class)
Students get time to study the wrong example and note down their answers, opinions and reflection.
Optionally: students also correct the wrong example and rewrite the mistake to a correct example.
Step 5. (Evaluation)
Students share their notes and the teacher provide key-notes to take home.
Source
Erasmus University Rotterdam. The Wrong Example. Retrieved from: https://www.eur.nl/en/teacheur/wrong-example
Online
The activity takes about 10 to 30 minutes and could be done with more than 60 students in an online.
Manual
Supplies Needed
- A wrong example, such as an incorrect formula or an incorrect paper.
- Microsoft Teams
Set-up classroom
Students work together or individually in Microsoft Teams. When working in groups it is suggested to create multiple channels or use the break-out room function.
Optionally: Using a Virtual classroom could be suggested, due to its elaborate technical functions providing online classes.
Step 1. (Preparation)
Prepare the wrong example for students to use and reflect on. Optionally, also prepare a ‘good’ example for students to compare. A combination of the proposed theory or application students have to study and the example would be effective students.
Step 2. (During class)
Discuss the theory you would like to discuss with the students. Optionally, use the prepared ‘good‘ example in which the theory is put into practice in the right way. This gives the students the opportunity to recognise the correct application of the theory.
Step 3. (During class)
Then present the students an example of how the theory is put into practice in the wrong way.
Step 4. (During class)
Students get time to study the wrong example and note down their answers, opinions and reflection.
Optionally: students also correct the wrong example and rewrite the mistake to a correct example.
Step 5. (Evaluation)
Students share their notes and the teacher provide key-notes to take home.
Tools
Source
Erasmus University Rotterdam. The Wrong Example. Retrieved from: https://www.eur.nl/en/teacheur/wrong-example
Hybrid
The activity takes about 10 to 30 minutes and could be done with more than 60 students in an hybrid setting.
Manual
Supplies Needed
- A wrong example, such as an incorrect formula or an incorrect paper.
- Microsoft Teams
Set-up classroom
Classroom setup
Using a hybrid learning classroom could be suggested. Create a Teams in Microsoft Teams to function as a classroom. Create a ‘general’ channel when having plenary meetings. Use extra channels or the break-out-room function when students work together in groups.
For the on-campus group, a simple classroom set-up, such as a U-shape would be sufficiënt.
Optionally: a Hybrid Active Learning Classroom is suggested to use, due to its extensive capability of hybrid interaction between on-campus and online students when working in groups.
Step 1. (Preparation)
Prepare the wrong example for students to use and reflect on. Optionally, also prepare a good example for students to compare. A combination of the proposed theory or application students have to study and the example would be effective students.
Step 2. (During class)
Discuss the theory you would like to discuss with the students. Optionally, use the prepared ‘good‘ example in which the theory is put into practice in the right way. This gives the students the opportunity to recognise the correct application of the theory.
Step 3. (During class)
Then present the students an example of how the theory is put into practice in the wrong way.
Step 4. (During class)
Students get time to study the wrong example and note down their answers, opinions and reflection.
Optionally: students also correct the wrong example and rewrite the mistake to a correct example.
Step 5. (Evaluation)
Students share their notes and the teacher provide key-notes to take home.
Tools
Source
Erasmus University Rotterdam. The Wrong Example. Retrieved from: https://www.eur.nl/en/teacheur/wrong-example
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