Learning from errors: deliberate errors enhance learning

Deliberate erring is an effective learning strategy, comparable to retrieval practice, However, learners often experience metacognitive illusions regarding both strategies, making their adoption challenging, particularly for deliberate errors. This study compares the effectiveness of deliberate errors (S – D) with retrieval practice (S – T) and restudy (S – S) across three experiments: Experiment 1 focused on immediate testing, while Experiment 2 examined delayed testing. In Experiment 3, the impact of deliberate errors (S – D), retrieval practice with feedback (S – T – S – T), and restudy (S – S – S – S) was assessed in both immediate and delayed tests. Results showed no significant difference between deliberate errors and retrieval practice in immediate tests, regardless of whether retrieval practice included feedback (Experiment 3) or not (Experiment 1). However, deliberate errors consistently outperformed restudy. In delayed tests, deliberate errors significantly outperformed retrieval practice, whether with or without feedback, and both strategies were superior to restudy. The results indicate that, compared to retrieval practice, deliberate errors show better memory retention over a longer time interval. The findings of this study provide empirical evidence for the application of deliberate error, retrieval practice, and restudy strategies.