Productive Failure: The Key to Unlocking Deep Learning
*The fee is inclusive of prevailing GST and subject to changes.
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For groups of at least 15 people, customised run dates are available, contact us via the form below for more details.
No Schedules Available.
What Is The Session About?
This programme offers a unique blend of dynamic discussions and practical exercises designed to deepen your understanding and application of Productive Failure (PF) in adult learning contexts.
PF1 is an empirically tested deep learning pedagogical approach, PF embodies constructivist principles, where failure is deliberately designed into the learning, to imbue learners with resiliency and learning agility, much needed skills during this “reskilling emergency” that was raised at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in January 2020, where it was said that more than 1 billion people need to be reskilled by 2030 as jobs are transformed by the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (World Economic Forum, 2020)2.
The PF learning environment is designed deliberately to bring about failure in a task so that learners have the opportunity to innovate solutions while exploring complex and novel problems. This guided exploration also allows learners to activate and differentiate relevant prior knowledge, generate multiple representations of problems, and thereby develop skills needed to solve "wicked" real-world problems.
This programme has been built as a result of the year-long collaboration between the Institute for Adult Learning, the creator of Productive Failure, Prof. Manu Kapur ETH, Zurich, and our Adult Educators catalyst co-developers. Read more here- https://www.ial.edu.sg/innovation/pf/
As an adult educator, you will actively engage in designing failure-based learning scenarios, explore how to foster critical thinking by integrating failure into your training approach, and participate in peer exchanges to evaluate the effectiveness of these methods. This collaborative environment encourages innovative problem-solving and the development of new strategies. With a strong focus on practical application, you will gain the skills necessary to design and implement learning experiences that leverage failure as a tool for transformation.
By the end of the programme, you’ll be equipped with strategies and tools to facilitate learning that promote holistic development across cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions. Mastering the Productive Failure approach will empower you to create engaging, resilient learning environments that inspire growth and adaptability in your learners. As the future of work increasingly demands leaders who can foster growth and resilience, this programme emphasizes the importance of empathy, collaboration, and a growth mindset in driving effective educational outcomes.
1 As detailed by Kapur & Bielaczyc (2012), PF has a two-phase design: a generation and exploration phase (Phase 1) followed by a consolidation phase (Phase 2). Phase 1 provides opportunities for learners to generate and explore the affordances and constraints of multiple representations and solution methods. Phase 2 provides opportunities for organizing and assembling relevant learner-generated solutions into canonical solutions. The design is guided by the following core principles: (1) create problem-solving contexts that involve working on complex problems that challenge but do not frustrate, rely on prior resources, and admit multiple solutions; (2) provide opportunities for explanation and elaboration; and (3) provide opportunities to compare and contrast the affordances and constraints of failed or sub-optimal solutions and the assembly of canonical solutions. [Kapur, M., & Bielaczyc, K. (2012). Designing for Productive Failure. Journal of the Learning Sciences, 21(1), 45–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508406.2011.591717]
2 World Economic Forum. (2020). Why we need a global reskilling revolution. World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, 1–6. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/reskilling-revolution-jobs-future-skills/
What Does The Session Cover?
By the end of this session, you will be able to:




^ Assessment: Formative Assessment(s) (Assignments/Presentations/Practical Performances)
^ Completion: Upon 100% attendance and meeting Assessment requirement, learners will receive a Certificate of Participation from IAL (& other partners where applicable)
Who Is It Suitable For?
- ACLP or equivalent graduates
- Adult Educators, lecturers, programme heads, those in charge of teaching and learning units
- Any trainer keen to harness learning from failure for better learning solutions
Course Funding and Policies
Payment
Please proceed to make payment via eNets/credit card (VISA or MasterCard) at the end of the registration process. Kindly note that the system will automatically cancel the registration if full payment has not been successfully processed by 11.59pm (Singapore Time) on the same day of the registration. You will have to reapply for the course, subject to availability of vacancy at the point of your re-registration.
Additional Funding Available, If Applicable
Singaporeans aged 25 years old and above are eligible for SkillsFuture Credit which can be used to offset the selected programmes' fees for self-sponsored registrations only.
Please note the submission period for your SFC claim via MySkillsFuture needs to be within 60 days before the course start date (date inclusive). If your course start date is more than 60 days from the date of SFC application, the SSG-SFC portal would reject your application. In this case, you would need to pay the full course fees at the end of your course application.
Rescheduling
Request for rescheduling must be submitted to IAL 2 weeks before the commencement of programme. Reschedule requests that come mid-way through training has to be supported by valid reasons; substantiated by references as evidence; such as a doctor's note; or a hospitalization chit.
Please submit your request to reschedule your course here. A non-refundable administrative fee of S$54.00 w/GST ($50) applies for the request and the next available slot will be offered.
Withdrawal
Request for withdrawal from a programme is subjected to review by IAL and the decision is final. IAL reserves the right to request for supporting document(s). A non-refundable administration fee of S$53.50 (inclusive of GST) is applicable for withdrawal request. If the withdrawal notice is given less than 2 weeks before the programme start date, the paid fees will not be refunded.
Corporate Run
For dedicated corporate runs with a contract signed with IAL, billing and payment will follow the terms of the signed contract. Otherwise, payment would be expected upon registration.
About The Speaker

Nilanjana Saxena (Ms)
Nilanjana brings over 10 years of experience in Learning and Development, with a deep passion for crafting transformative learning experiences that challenge conventional boundaries in education and technology. Starting as a chemistry teacher in Singapore and India, she shifted her focus to understanding "how people learn," earning a Master’s in Learning Sciences and Technology from the University of Sydney. She has worked with various start-ups in Australia, applying evidence-based approaches to rethink learning. Currently, as Senior Manager, Learning Innovation, at a national organization, she collaborates with stakeholders and international partners to leverage learning sciences and technology for meaningful human capital development. A thought leader and speaker at global conferences, she is also a published author.