Protocol
Explain why the wrong worked example fails
A wrong answer is useful only when the wrong turn becomes visible.
When it fits
- Learners can imitate a correct solution without recognising a plausible mistake.
When to avoid it
- Novices may need the correct method first. Never leave an incorrect example unlabelled in reference material.
Why it matters
Pair a clearly labelled flawed example with a correct one. Ask where they diverge, why the flawed step fails and how to repair it. Research finds conditional benefits, not a universal advantage from adding errors.
Steps
- Choose one realistic misconception and keep unrelated details constant.
- Ask the learner to locate and explain the decisive difference.
- Provide a checked resolution, then test a new example without labels.
An example
Two calculations look alike, but one applies a percentage to the wrong base. The learner explains the changed denominator before solving a different case.
Check your result
Can the learner reject the same misconception when its surface details change?
Keep this limit in mind
- Novices may need the correct method first. Never leave an incorrect example unlabelled in reference material.
Connected ideas
Useful withMove from the concrete case to the rule
Evidence and sources
Supports
The erroneous-example review finds that benefits depend on example contrast, prompts and learner conditions, with inconsistent evidence for several moderators.
Contrasting examples are a conditional teaching option, not a guaranteed upgrade.
Conditions for Effective Learning from Erroneous Examples: A Systematic Review · Abstract and introduction.