skip to Main Content

Learning Through Struggle: The Science of Productive Failure

Learning Through Struggle: The Science of Productive Failure

Participants will have an opportunity to explore the instructional design strategy, productive failure, and how it can support the development of adaptive expertise. We will define productive failure, describe how productive failure has been used in health professions education, and illustrate how participants can use productive failure design approaches in their practice.

Want us to offer this event again?
Register your interest now

Description

This workshop is for the health professional involved in education design and practice. This workshop will build on the concepts of adaptive expertise but focus on productive failure specifically as an instructional approach to promote future learning. Participants can expect didactic teaching, interactive exercises, and small group discussion to encourage an engaging 3-hour workshop.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to define productive failure, describe productive failure's use in health professions education, and apply the principles of productive failure in their teaching and assessment approaches. 

 

Relevant Resources

Click here to see resources related to: Theories of Education.

Event Details

  • April 29, 2026
    9:00 AM EDT - 12:00 PM EDT
    Start date: Apr 29
    Duration: 3 hours
    Location: Online
    Presenters: Naomi Steenhof
    Cost:
    Offers:
    • CFD Member (2 workshops): Free
    • Stepping Stones Participant: Free
    • $50.00 incl. Tax
    Additional Info:
    Tags:
    Stepping Stones, Workshop, loc_virtual

Recommended Events

  • CFD13-%20CFDLogo_SubBranding__Workshop_Card_Blank.png
    29
    Apr
    Participants will have an opportunity to explore the instructional design strategy, productive failure, and how it can support the development of adaptive expertise. We will define productive failure, describe how productive failure has been used in health professions education, and illustrate how participants can use productive failure design approaches in their practice.
    • Stepping Stones
    • Workshop
    • loc_virtual
    Start 09:00 am EDT
    End 12:00 pm EDT
    Location Online
  • CFD13-%20CFDLogo_SubBranding__Workshop_Card_Blank.png
    11
    May
    This workshop seeks to better-equip faculty to meaningfully integrate planetary health into their teaching by building their knowledge base, providing them with pedagogical tools and guidance, and connecting them with a like-minded interdisciplinary academic community.
    • Stepping Stones
    • Workshop
    • loc_virtual
    Start 01:00 pm EDT
    End 04:00 pm EDT
    Location Online
  • CFD13-%20CFDLogo_SubBranding__Workshop_Card_Blank.png
    21
    May
    Whether you're creating your first dossier or refining an existing one, this workshop will help you move forward with clarity and confidence—transforming your dossier into a reflective and strategic showcase of your work as an educator.
    • Stepping Stones
    • Workshop
    • loc_virtual
    Start 01:00 pm EDT
    End 04:00 pm EDT
    Location Online

Centre for Faculty Development
Li Ka Shing International Healthcare
Education Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital
209 Victoria Street, 4th floor

Mailing Address:
30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8

cfd@unityhealth.to

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive communications about our Centre.

Back To Top
×Close search
Search