When Mistakes Happen

When Mistakes Happen

The Flight Instructor’s role in Diagnosing and Correcting Student Errors.

Have you ever watched a student do something wrong and wonder “Why did they do that?” and further, “How do I keep them from doing that again?” As instructors, we play a huge role in creating an environment where students feel safe to make mistakes, take criticism, and try again.

We also must improve our own skills of diagnosing and correcting errors.

Objective: 

• To define error diagnosis and correction as one of the many roles of the aviation instructor 
• To improve the necessary skill of diagnosing errors by using a systematic approach
• Ultimately the goal is to further an instructor’s knowledge and ability in error
• Diagnosis and correction.

References: 

Seifried, J., Wuttke, E. Student errors: how teachers diagnose and respond to them.

Empirical Res Voc Ed Train 2, 147–162 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03546493

Knowledge: 

Attendants should leave with the understanding:

• that diagnosing and correcting errors is an essential role of the aviation instructor.
• that allowing errors is necessary for learning.
• of facets of professional error competence: background, strategy, and personal beliefs.
• the effect of our reaction to student’s errors.

Risk Management: 

Identify, assess, and mitigate the risks associated allowing students to make mistakes.

Determine how far a student may operate within a mistake without compromising safety

Skills: 

Ability to create an environment where students feel safe making errors, while enforcing rigid adherence to aircraft limitations, applicable regulations, standard procedures, and airman certification standards.

Integrate a positive error culture with a strong safety culture by setting expectations and providing comprehensive debriefs with students.

Seek help and mentorship when encountering a recurring student error for which you do not know how to diagnose or correct.

Presenter