Normalize Error- Definition
Normalizing error occurs when teachers respond to both right and wrong answers as normal answers and do not point out one over the other. Meaning that the teacher does not reward the right answers and then punish those that get the answer wrong. The whole goal of the teacher is to help the student learn. If the student does not get the answer right then the teacher should not just shut the student down and condemn them for getting a wrong answer, but equally the teacher should not over praise the student for a wrong answer. When normalizing error the teacher should respond to both the right and wrong parts of an answer as just another step in the learning process. This is when learning occurs after all, after a student gets something wrong they learn from their mistakes and learn how to get the right answer.
Normalize Error- Explained in my Own Words
Motivation is a large part of the learning process. If a student is not motivated to learn it is next to impossible to try and teach them something. Normalizing error can help to increase motivation in the classroom by not placing a large burden on those students who give a wrong answer. Instead students who answer wrong feel as though their answer is just another normal answer (and it is). At which point the teacher then directs the students to the right answer. In normalizing error whether the answer is right or wrong the teacher should respond the same and go back over the answer and break it down for those that may not have gotten it. Normalizing error is a good technique to ensure equality in the classroom by not flattering just the right answers or calling out those that got a wrong answer. Each student in the classroom should feel as though they all have an equal chance of getting the question right. Also students who get right answers all the time or vise verse who get wrong answers a lot will not feel indifferent. They will feel as though every answer is equal and acceptable whether right or wrong.
Normalize Error- Example
In my classroom I will use normalizing error to help students not get discouraged about getting an answer wrong and ensure that I do not over emphasize right answers. In this video the teacher does a good job in normalizing error by not calling out students for reading a wrong sentence or mispronouncing a word. Also when the students do a good job of reading she does not over-praise them instead the teacher simply just goes on to the next student.