By MATT ROBERTS
In today's competitive academic landscape, the desire for instant gratification often overshadows the value of perseverance and resilience. However, research and anecdotal evidence underscore the transformative power of productive struggle in shaping students' learning outcomes and long-term success. (Kapur & Bielaczyc, 2012)
Defined as the process of grappling with difficult tasks and persisting through obstacles to achieve mastery, productive struggle is not merely a hurdle to overcome but a cornerstone of academic growth and personal development for college students.
Here are a few examples of embracing productive struggle in your course:
Fosters resilience: When students confront difficult concepts or assignments, they develop problem-solving skills and resilience by persisting through adversity. This resilience not only benefits them academically but also equips them with valuable life skills to navigate challenges beyond the classroom.
Promotes deeper understanding: Engaging in productive struggle requires students to grapple with complex problems, think critically and explore multiple solutions. This process promotes a deeper understanding of the subject matter, transcending rote memorization to foster conceptual mastery. (Steenhof et al., 2020)
Encourages creativity and innovation: Productive struggle nurtures the spirit of innovation by encouraging students to think creatively and approach problems from novel perspectives. When students embrace the discomfort of uncertainty and push beyond their comfort zones, they unlock new pathways for discovery and innovation, fueling progress and advancement in their respective fields. (Lynch et al., 2022)
Builds self-efficacy and confidence: Conquering challenges through productive struggle bolsters students' self-efficacy, their belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations. As students overcome obstacles and achieve breakthroughs, they gain confidence in their academic abilities and develop a growth mindset — the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through dedication and effort.
Preparation for real world challenges: Embracing productive struggle in college prepares students for the challenges they will inevitably encounter in their personal and professional lives. Whether navigating a competitive job market or addressing complex societal issues, the resilience and problem-solving skills honed through productive struggle are invaluable assets that empower students to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Fostering productive struggle
While the benefits of productive struggle are evident, it is essential to note that not all struggles are productive. The key lies in striking a balance between challenge and support, ensuring that students are sufficiently challenged to grow without feeling overwhelmed or discouraged (Kapur & Bielaczyc, 2012). Here are a few strategies educators can use to foster productive struggle in the classroom.
Establishing high-but-attainable expectations sends a clear message to students that you believe in their ability to succeed. Challenge students with tasks and assignments that push them beyond their comfort zones, encouraging them to stretch their abilities and strive for excellence. By setting high expectations, you create a culture of academic rigor and excellence that motivates students to embrace challenges rather than shy away from them. Providing students with high-quality examples of the type of work you are looking for sets the bar and helps students understand your expectations.
Feedback is essential for guiding students through the process of productive struggle. Offer specific, constructive feedback that highlights both areas of strength and areas for improvement. Encourage students to view feedback not as criticism but as an opportunity for growth and learning. By providing timely and targeted feedback, you empower students to identify their mistakes, learn from them, and make continuous progress towards mastery. Encourage your students to maintain a portfolio of work in your class and periodically reflect on their growth.
Scaffolding instruction can help students adapt to the expectations of your course. Students come to college with a wide range of ability levels and experiences. Scaffold support by breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps and provide students with the guidance and resources they need to succeed. Start with simpler problems or tasks before gradually increasing the level of difficulty. Offer support in the form of prompts, hints or modeling to help students navigate challenges and build confidence in their problem-solving abilities. As students become more proficient, gradually fade scaffolding to promote greater independence and self-reliance (van de Pol et al., 2010).
Collaboration can be a powerful tool for fostering productive struggle in the classroom. Encourage students to work together in small groups or pairs to tackle challenging problems and share ideas. Collaboration not only fosters a sense of camaraderie and collective responsibility but also provides students with diverse perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. By working collaboratively, students learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses, building essential teamwork and communication skills in the process.
Encourage students to embrace mistakes as natural and inevitable parts of the learning process. In a culture that values perfection, it's easy for students to view mistakes as failures rather than opportunities for growth. Celebrate mistakes as evidence of effort and persistence and highlight the valuable lessons that can be learned from them. By creating a safe and supportive environment where mistakes are welcomed and celebrated, you empower students to take risks, learn from failure, and ultimately achieve greater success. Occasionally point out to students that if they completed the assignment perfectly the first time, they would have learned less than failing and improving with each iteration.
Cultivate a growth mindset in the classroom by emphasizing the belief that knowledge and abilities can be developed through dedication and effort. Encourage students to adopt a positive attitude towards challenges, setbacks, and feedback. Teach them to view obstacles as opportunities for learning and growth rather than insurmountable barriers. Designing learning assessments that allow students to fail and improve can help to reduce test anxiety and see the value of growing through struggle.
Fostering productive struggle in the classroom is essential for empowering students to develop the resilience, critical thinking skills, and growth mindset needed to thrive in today's complex world. If you are interested in developing activities or assessments to foster productive struggle in your course, please contact the University Center for Teaching and Learning.
Matt Roberts is a Ed.D. candidate in the School of Education and a graduate student assistant in the University Center for Teaching and Learning.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
University of San Diego: Professional and Continuing Education
Manu Kapur on Productive Failure
REFERENCES
Kapur, M., & Bielaczyc, K. (2012). Designing for Productive Failure. Journal of the Learning Sciences, 21(1), 45–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508406.2011.591717
Lynch, J., Orsino, A., & Kawamura, A. (2022). Productive struggle and failing safely: implications for developing adaptive expertise in communication. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 27(5), 1331–1344. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-022-10175-x
Steenhof, N., Woods, N. N., & Mylopoulos, M. (2020). Exploring why we learn from productive failure: insights from the cognitive and learning sciences. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 25(5), 1099–1106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-020-10013-y
van de Pol, J., Volman, M., & Beishuizen, J. (2010). Scaffolding in teacher-student interaction: A decade of research. In Educational Psychology Review (Vol. 22, Issue 3, pp. 271–296). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-010-9127-6