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The Science of Learning From Failure
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:40:41
Abstract
We can learn from failure! But, what does “failure” mean? And, what, how, and why do we learn from failure? This course covers research from the cognitive, educational, and learning sciences that addresses the role of failure in human learning. Students will critically examine how failure affects thinking, knowledge, creativity, problem-solving, etc.
Objective
Students will: - Critically read and analyze articles on research that addresses failure in learning. - Participate in in-class problem-solving activities around research in failure. - Discuss and reflect upon topics in both online and face-to-face formats. - Engage in activities through the online platform. - Complete a final paper on a subtopic related to failure in learning. By the end of the course, students should be able to: - Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role that failure plays in learning. - Discuss how and why failure can benefit learning. - Discuss how and why failure does not facilitate learning. - Apply understanding to a related sub-topic.
Content
We learn from our mistakes, or rather, we certainly hope that we do. Another way to say this is that we can learn from failure. But, what does “failure” mean? And, what, how, and why do we learn from failure? This course covers research from the cognitive, educational, and learning sciences that addresses the role of failure in human learning. Students will critically examine how failure affects development of knowledge, creativity, problem-solving, and general thinking and learning. More specifically, they will have the opportunity to question and evaluate the potential relationships between the facets around failure within individual, interactional, cultural, societal, and global contexts through seminal readings and problem-solving activities oriented to real world issues. Students from any discipline are welcome to this course to learn more about how failure can be harnessed to improve our knowledge, capabilities, innovations, teamwork, and contribute to the larger global world.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS
- Frequency
- Semesterly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 60
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar |
The Science of Learning From Failure
Groups are selected in myStudies.
Because we work interactively, the first two sessions are important.
This course will be held in two groups (one in English and one in German): max. 30 participants per group
|
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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GESS Science in Perspective (Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "GESS Science in Perspective" courses. Further below you will find courses under the category "Type B courses Reflections about subject specific methods and content" as well as the language courses. During the Bachelor’s degree Students should acquire at least 6 ECTS and during the Master’s degree 2 ECTS. Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (Suitable for all students. Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
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