When it comes to learning new concepts and mastering content in classes like English and math, it’s important to lean into your mistakes because they provide the greatest opportunities for growth and improvement. At Winward Academy, we’ve developed a unique feature called the Mistake Bank, which helps students make the most of their mistakes and achieve their goals.
Imagine trying to learn a new sport by simply watching games online or practicing on your own in your backyard. This type of preparation will only take you so far. Without expert guidance and targeted feedback, you’ll struggle to identify and improve your weaknesses, hindering your progress. The same principle applies to academics. That is where the Mistake Bank comes in, providing students with personalized pathways to learning from mistakes in academic content while preparing students to thrive in future academics.
Winward Academy’s Mistake BankOur Mistake Bank empowers students to master their mistakes and create a personalized study guide. With this feature, students do the following:
|
How the Mistake Bank Works
Historically, students preparing for a standardized exam would get a large test book. Students would answer practice questions and flag ones they weren’t sure about. Then they’d flip to the back of the book and score themselves. Students would have access to some written explanations but were largely left on their own to make sense of the questions they missed. For many, this process can feel disorganized and unhelpful to improving one’s performance. This is where Winward Academy’s Mistake Bank comes in.
As students work through practice questions, they’ll get feedback on every answer, both correct and incorrect. They can also mark questions for future review, which will be automatically added to their Mistake Bank. Once they’ve finished practicing, they can review their missed questions, grouped by lesson and topic, and access step-by-step video explanations for each one.
But that’s not all. The Mistake Bank also allows students to write problem-solving hints in their own words, which will be included in their personalized study guide. This approach is based on decades of research in brain science and education, and it’s proven to be highly effective.
Research-Based & Evidence-Based Approach
Our research-based approach emphasizes a deeper understanding of fundamental academic concepts, and the Mistake Bank is central to this process. By leveraging the latest research in education and cognitive psychology, we’ve created a platform that not only helps students succeed in the short term but also prepares them for long-term success.
The Mistake Bank, where missed questions are automatically added for students to review again, is built based on four key concepts.
- Promoting a growth mindset. Dr. Carol Dweck (2012) states that intelligence grows as students learn from their mistakes. The process, not speed, is key.
- Identifying where to focus. Drs. Moser and colleagues (2011) cite the importance of reviewing mistakes to identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Providing specific, clear feedback. According to the Education Endowment Foundation (2016), students must receive specific and accurate feedback on all answers.
- Speaking your language. Drs. Weinstein and Mayer (2016) found that students who paraphrase in their own words achieve deeper understanding.
By incorporating these principles into our Mistake Bank feature, we’ve created a powerful tool that helps students achieve their goals and develop a deeper understanding of the material. Whether you’re a student preparing for the ACT or SAT or an educator looking for a more effective way to teach, the Mistake Bank is an invaluable resource that’s sure to have a positive impact.aluable resource sure to make a difference.
Do you like what you’ve read? Please click the links to share with friends or colleagues who would also benefit from an overview of current K-12 education.
About Winward Academy – Winward Academy is one of the world’s leading innovators in the online education space, providing web-based academic support that enhances students’ knowledge, confidence, and competitiveness in middle and high school academics and in college applications. We help thousands of students every year by providing personalized, comprehensive ACT and SAT test preparation and extensive math curriculum support. The Winward Academy learning platform honors over 40 years of education and cognitive psychology research, incorporating proven techniques that promote effective learning.
Winward Academy’s unmatched reputation is wholly attributable to our students’ exceptional success and to the trust earned among students, parents, and schools around the world.
