Education World – Miriam Plotinsky
“Like most people, I grew up terrified of mistakes. After all, they typically yielded undesired results. It’s hard to forget the embarrassment that comes from answering a question wrong in front of the class and hearing the snickers from people who know better, or how mortifying it can be to bunt the ball directly into the pitcher’s hands during a game of kickball for an instant out. We are conditioned from a young age to fear being wrong, which often leads to a decrease in risk-taking as we get older. Furthermore, our anxiety about being wrong can stunt our learning, since one of the best ways to grow is by making mistakes and changing course. How can we ensure that classrooms are safe spaces where students feel confident sharing their ideas, right or wrong?” (more)