A common belief is that learning by doing—figuring things out independently—is always the most effective approach. However, reality is more nuanced: while trial-and-error learning has significant benefits, it only works when certain conditions are met.

💡 Better to explain or demonstrate first…

🧠 When there’s complete ignorance:

Imagine asking a three-year-old for their opinion on stock options for Greek debt, string theory, or Russian versification. Unless the child is a prodigy (you never know), the exercise will likely be futile. Why? Sometimes learners lack the foundational concepts needed to make sense of the situation they’re in.

In such cases, learners may feel like a "chicken staring at a knife," unable to process the information or even identify the right questions to ask. Providing theoretical basics, such as key definitions, is essential before letting them explore independently. For example, if you were suddenly placed in charge of piloting a rocket, you’d probably appreciate an initial explanation of the controls.

This may seem obvious, but in practice, many of us throw learners into the deep end, believing we’re fostering discovery.

🤯 When the task is complex:

If learners face a complex problem with multiple variables—such as a legal case analysis or a medical diagnosis—it’s unwise to throw them straight into a real-world scenario. They may not know where to begin, and even if they receive feedback, they’ll struggle to interpret it. Where exactly did I go wrong? Why? What should I have done differently?

💡 How to avoid this?
Provide what’s known as a “worked example”: show learners how you would solve the problem, step by step.

For example: "Watch how I untie the knot this way," or "Notice how I approach the client with this strategy."
Then, let them try: "Now, it’s your turn!"
Finally, provide feedback: "Great effort when you did this… Try making this movement more precise, like this…"

The worked example → trial → feedback sequence is a simple yet powerful framework for helping learners tackle complex problems.

💡 Better to let learners try first, then correct…

✅ When learners have some prior knowledge:

In many learning domains, especially with adults, learners aren’t blank slates. They come with pre-existing ideas, opinions, and behaviours.

For instance, in interpersonal skills training, learners rarely start from scratch. Everyone has been socialised to some degree and brings habits from personal experience. Research shows that unlike novices, learners with prior expertise benefit more from attempting to solve problems right away. They’re at a stage where consolidating what they already know and applying it to complex situations is more effective.

However, letting learners "try" doesn’t mean abandoning them. Even experienced learners need immediate, precise feedback on their attempts.

🎓 When there are errors or misconceptions:

Sometimes learners think they understand a concept, but they don’t. This is the classic illusion of mastery:

For example: Many of us believe we understand terms like "greenhouse gases" or "carbon emissions reduction," but struggle to explain them coherently when asked.

Passive learning methods can exacerbate this illusion. Because the content is well-explained and freshly encoded in memory, learners feel they’ve mastered it. Yet, as time passes and memories fade, this false sense of understanding persists.

💡 How to combat the illusion of mastery?

Let learners try on their own to gauge their actual understanding.
Then, provide corrective feedback: written corrections or verbal insights from a knowledgeable source. Feedback helps learners identify what they’ve grasped and what still needs refinement.

Whenever learners hold misconceptions or are likely to make mistakes, it’s best to use a trial-error-feedback approach:

Let them try first.
Provide feedback.
Only then share the general message or recommendation you want them to retain.

Key points to remember:

Start by explaining or demonstrating when learners lack foundational knowledge or face complex tasks.
Let learners try first when they have prior knowledge or might hold misconceptions, then provide feedback to refine their understanding.
Use a mix of worked examples, trial, and feedback for optimal learning outcomes.

Keywords: recommendations, tips, explain, demonstrate, let learners try

For additional questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Our team is here to help and support you in your projects! 💬

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