Errors in Training Computer Skills: on the Positive Function of Errors

Applied Hermeneutics and Qualitative Safety Data: The CIRAS Project

“…In fact, traditional 'cognitive' 'human error' is conspicuous by its absence in reporters' descriptions of events. However, it is interesting that this fits in with current thinking on this subject by writers such as Frese et al (1991) and Rauterberg (1995), who have emphasized the positive aspect of 'error', especially in terms of learning. Frese draws on Heidegger's concept of 'breakdown': stressing that 'errors' 'help to interpret a habit and thus provide a chance to reflect on the system or on one's own knowledge' (Frese et al, 1991: 79).…”

“…Moreover, we would argue the use of hermeneutic methods for analysing human behaviour, such as those used by Winograd and Flores (1986) and Frese et al (1991), may give new insights into the psychology of accidents: Frese's use of Heidegger's concept of breakdown is of interest here. This work may not only lead to more empirical, laboratory studies, but also to investigations into the relationships between these studies and hermeneutic databases such as CIRAS.…”

Self-Regulation in Error Management Training: Emotion Control and Metacognition as Mediators of Performance Effects.

“…or "The more errors you make, the more you learn! ", designed to frame errors positively (Frese et al, 1991). Error avoidant training, on the other hand, mimics many conventional tutorials adopting a negative attitude toward errors:…”

“…These training experiments comprised one or more training phases and subsequent test phases which assessed performance in terms of number of correct task solutions (Chillarege et al, 2003;Debowski et al, 2001;Nordstrom et al, 1998;Wood et al, 2000), ratings of correctness, efficiency, and speed of solutions in difficult tasks (Dormann & Frese, 1994;Frese et al, 1991), or number of errors in transfer tasks (Ivancic & Hesketh, 2000). A recent study by Heimbeck et al (2003) highlighted the crucial role of error management instructions in error management training: Error management training was superior not only to error avoidant training but also to pure exploratory training without error management instructions.…”

The training, retention, and assessment of digital skills: A review and integration of the literature

“…Finally some variation of guided exploration (a constructivist technique in which students are given minimal instruction and then must work through a series of exercises) is better than other conditions tested such as unguided exploration, behavioral modeling, computerized tutorial, or classroom instruction alone (Carroll, Mack, Lewis, Grischkowsky, & Robertson, 1985;Chamey et al, 1990;Frese, Brodbeck, Heinbokel, Mooser, & et al, 1991;Schaab & Dressel, 2001). The experiment by Frese et al made an interesting comparison between behavioral modeling in which participants were given incomplete information on the steps to be followed and were encouraged to figure out errors on their own (error training group) and behavior modeling in which participants were told exactly what to do and were immediately corrected when they made mistakes with no further explanation (error avoidant group).…”