Productive Failure (PF) (Kapur, 2015) is a learning design that encourages learners to generate solutions to a novel problem that involves a concept they have not learned yet, followed by consolidation and knowledge assembly where they learn the targeted concept. Because learners have not learned the concept, and further, are asked to generate solutions without any cognitive support or scaffolds, they can be expected to use their prior knowledge to generate sub-optimal or even incorrect solutions to the problem. The literature review revealed that PF in K-12 settings, is well established and grounded. This raises the question whether and how PF can be applied in the adult learning field. This study gives one of the first attempts to apply PF in different adult learning contexts covering eight cases (e.g., Training and Adult Education, Healthcare, Early childhood) to understand the benefits and challenges in the PF application. Adult educators’ (AEs) and learners’ experience in these PF-infused classes were examined through surveys, semi-structured interviews and classroom observation. Both AEs and learners reported observed deep learning to apply the knowledge learned better into their working contexts. In addition, certain PF design principles were identified as more challenging than others when designing into adult learning. The reasons for such differences are related to the teaching content, AE’s capability of applying PF, and learners’ different profiles. Drawing on the findings, a toolkit was developed to better facilitate AEs to apply the different design principles of PF into their various settings.

Authors:
Xiao Fang Bi, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore
Michael Choy, Tech Tree, Singapore
Nilanjana Saxena, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore
Soo Kheng Sim, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Xiao Fang Bi is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Singapore University of Social Sciences in Singapore

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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